Manual work needs manual medicine!

How often do you say to yourself “I shouldn’t have done that” It may apply to many aspects of life, but where manual work applies, it can have more serious implications. So often we think “ I’ll just finish this gardening” then injure ourselves because our muscles are physically tired, but this becomes even more problematic when we really need to carry on. You can’t move house and stop in the middle because you are tired and if your work is manual, you simply have to continue.

To keep injuries to a minimum, there are a few rules to keep in mind, especially if you are more vulnerable eg a builder, electrician, plumber or gardener for instance.

The best rule is to think about your FEET.

F- Fit –are you fit to do the job or is someone else better suited? Does it need to be done at all? Or is there a tool you can use to make things easier?

E- Environment – Are you in an awkward space? Can anything be moved to make your job easier? Are there dangers which need to be considered first?

E- Effort – Consider what you are moving, carrying or working with and the strain on your body in a particular position. Can it be made easier?

T – Time – Are you in a hurry? Rushing a job puts pressure on us making muscles work harder than they need to and we tend to take risks when we are short of time.Spreading the load by taking breaks gives muscles time to recover and reduces injuries.

And if you are moving things – think FEET again – they need to be pointing in the direction you are going, to avoid twisting which is one of the high risk factors for back and rib injuries – but don’t look at them –look where you are going too!

www.aboutbacksandbones.com

www.facebook.com/osteopathyderby

Just an update,

..from our Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Firstly, thanks to everyone that came along and to all the people that made the delicious cakes -we had plenty!
The weather stayed dry for us, though quite windy. But that didn't stop people coming along and enjoying themselves, having a cup of tea and chit chat with other people. Racheal Frost brought a very large bear for us to use as a raffle prize, and he turned out to be very popular - everyone wanted him! Chloe, our physiotherapist, was the lucky winner!



Today I opened up our donations box and counted up.

We raised a total of .   .     . *Drumroll please*  .      .      .   £257.94!

So again, thanks to everyone that turned up to support us, and Target Ovarian Cancer. & Thanks for all the donations you made! You were all very generous!

Keep up to date with the latest offers & goings on at our facebook page , website and twitter!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

The day’s are flying by & soon it’ll be our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! Make sure your diary is clear for Sunday 24th June @ 3pm! -Everyone’s Welcome!There's going to be;

• Cake - and lots of it!
• Refreshments
• A Raffle!
• Saxophonist - to keep you entertained!
• A magician - for the children, or the child inside you!
• A stall for Forever Living Products.

Also.. a FREE 15 minute spine / muscle / joint assesment with either Andy - our Osteopath or Chloe - our Physiotherapist. If you have the assesment, you will then be presented with a voucher for money off further treatment, if you need/want it!
Diane - our Kineseologist will be around on the day if it is her you wish to speak to.


All we're asking for is a small donation for Cake and Refreshments. All the money raised will be donated to Target Ovarian Caner. If you cannot make it to our event, but would still like to donate to this amazing charity, then please visit our Just Giving Page, and make your donation via that. www.justgiving.com/aboutbacksandbones

For more information, and to keep up to date, visit our Facebook Page which is updated daily! www.facebook.com/osteopathyderby           www.aboutbacksandbones.com

When it IS a Good Idea to Complain about Feeling Fat.

 

Many women may prefer to have a slimmer tummy and we usually know the cause of one that bulges a little too much. But what if we genuinely have no idea why we have developed a belly bulge? What if it just gradually appeared, and rather than bloating up one day then down the next-which may suggest irritable bowel syndrome- it seems more of a constant fullness? You may be considering going up a size in clothes, or feel generally bloated and your face may be fuller than it was.

In most cases, it is simply more calories or less activity, or both, but if you really analyse your lifestyle and cannot see a change, and if you have noticed other symptoms too, it may be worth investigating a little further.

One diseases whose symptoms can easily be ignored is ovarian cancer. It is non-specific and signs can easily be brushed aside. As well as bloating, symptoms include pelvic, abdominal or back pain and feeling full quickly. Sometimes there are urinary symptoms or bowel changes and extreme fatigue. It is easy to look on the internet and worry yourself, but an experienced clinician eg a good GP or nurse, can determine if your symptoms warrant further investigation. However, if symptoms persist despite reassurance, you need to return for a second opinion- you know your body best.

The charity 'Target Ovarian Cancer' is one which helps raise awareness and helps clinicians to be more alert. 'The Eve Appeal' is another which raises money to further research and raise awareness, into gynaecological cancers generally. With 1:50 women of all ages contracting ovarian cancer, that’s the 5th most common cancer, it cannot be ignored and because it is so vague, it has often progressed further than other cancers before help is sought, making treatment difficult.

At ‘About Backs &Bones’ we are having a Mad Hatters Tea Party to raise money and particularly, to raise awareness about this disease. Not only that, we are offering a free 20 min consultation with an osteopath or physiotherapist for anyone who has aches and pains and a £15 voucher for those new to the clinic, with £5 being donated to 'Target Ovarian Cancer'.

So keep Sun 24th June free at 3pm and come and support us at 506 Duffield Rd, Allestree, DE22 2 DL. Come and have a chat about your health, especially muscle and joint problems or questions about Ovarian Cancer –or at least come and have some afternoon tea!

See more details on Facebook! www.facebook.com/osteopathyderby






www.aboutbacksandbones.com

Planting a few thoughts...

Welcome sunny weather, gardening and...back pain!

Sound familiar? It's the wonderful combination of the relief of being outside and full of the joys of spring, and the contrast of a body that hasn't done this kind of activity for months on end, perhaps is more used to sitting at a desk, in a car, or on a sofa ... and is complaining!

 

But it need not be this way. Just a few simple precautions can reduce the likelihood of our Derbyshire clay soil getting the better of us and help us feel confident in gardening throughout the summer without repercussion.

First of all-see it as the exercise that it is- and warm up. That doesn't necessarily mean jogging down the street and stretching (though it may help) but simply avoid the harsh transition between relaxing Sunday morning papers and digging trenches!

For instance, start with the lighter tasks which don't involve prolonged bending or heavy lifting and progress to the heavier tasks. Even then, avoid hours flexed in one position weeding or planting and intersperse it with carrying around tools and clearing rubbish, as wells regular tea breaks- after all, it is supposed to be a leisurely activity isn't it?

Regularly straighten, stretch and walk around and try to avoid positions with one leg forwards whilst stooping, as this often strains the sacro-iliac joint giving rise to low back pain. If you have to do this, then make sure you put the opposite foot forwards for a while: you are using opposite muscles, giving one half of your body a well-earned break and creating more muscular balance in your body. This in turn helps prevent strain on joints and it is often the small simple actions which avoid injuries.

Plan when to finish and stick to it! That way you can wind down rather than doing heavy tasks when you are tired, which is increasing your chance of injury. Stretching afterwards will promote a good blood flow, rejeuvanating tired muscles and reducing lactic acid build-up and subsequent aches.

So a few simple steps can make a real difference. In contrast, someone who says they only bent to put on their socks, but is now in agony, often has done the damage previously - for example, the preceding day...gardening!

What’s in a name?

Names define us as individuals, they explain the origin of our towns and villages and can create illusions which sometimes need digesting to understand.

Take, for instance the name seen on the back of a vehicle recently, which ended in ‘thermologistics’ – it took a moment to realise it was an impressive name for a refrigerated lorry!

Similarly, the public are often confused by the term ‘osteomyologist’; ‘osteo’ meaning ‘bone’ and ‘myo’ being ‘muscle’ –‘logist’ in this case referring to the person performing the afore mentioned bone/muscle treatments. In other words, that would be an osteopath, or a chiropractor...or a physiotherapist...Right?

Wrong! “What is the difference between them” is probably the question I am asked most. I worked for over 20 years with physio’s, trained for 4 years as a chiropractor and qualified as an osteopath, so I am probably in a good position to answer this. The difference between them and an osteomyologist is that the former are all statutory regulated by law whereas the latter, although may be well trained, does  not have the title protected, which means someone without training could also call themselves this name.

Physiotherapists are best known for working in hospitals in rehabilitation. They need a further short course to become specialised musculoskeletal practitioners, and often then work in private clinics. Their training focuses on providing rehabilitation through massage and exercise, although some will also train in manipulation (cracking joints).

Osteopaths and chiropractors are more similar. Their 4/5 training is virtually identical, although manipulation techniques vary. Many modules follow that of a medical student (as do physiotherapists) eg differential diagnosis or radiology. Chiropractic treatments tend to include more manipulation than osteopathic treatment and focus on aligning the joints, especially the spine. Osteopathic treatment focuses on mobilising joints to improve the way they function and as well as including manipulation, generally have more massage which tends to make the treatment little longer.

However, once qualified, the training boundaries dissolve; eg osteopaths may use more  manipulation, and some chiropractors may prefer to include massage. For example, I have been on osteopathic, chiropractic  AND physiotherapy courses to treat pregnant mothers and babies in order to expand my knowledge and have done other courses eg acupuncture, with GP’s and dentists...

Is that any clearer??

Into New Year – New You? Or have those intentions faded?

So with Christmas and New Year well and truly over , New Year’s resolutions may be fading fast. But just think again what they were and why you chose them.  Some resolutions may be health-driven, perhaps spurred by news of friends or relatives taken ill. Plans then form to eat healthily, start exercising, have a better work/life balance.

These aims for a healthy lifestyle are important and reduce the risks of cardiac arrest and stroke for example, but would you actually be able to recognise someone who is suffering from one of these conditions?

Medicine has moved on and in the case of stroke, in particular, the symptoms may be vague and may delay the call for emergency services- and as time is the essence, this may be the difference between full recovery, or serious disability at least.

You may be aware of the recent campaign, but if not, cut out the text box below and stick it onto your fridge/inside of a cupboard, so you can act quickly if you need to.

Face - can they smile equally, or does one side of their mouth seem lopsided? Arms – can they raise both arms equally above their head? Check they could do this normally and don’t just have a shoulder injury! Speech – can they say their name and address? This also tests for any confusion which may occur with a stroke Time – of the essence These symptoms may be preceeded by a fleeting loss of vision or leg weakness/giving way and THIS IS THE TIME TO SEEK HELP

Of course, prevention is better than cure, so rather than think – “It won’t happen to me”, how about introducing some fun exercise? Think about what you actually like doing – it may be dancing, walking the dog an extra mile, a little more quickly, or taking up a hobby you used to enjoy, but now feel you don’t have time for.

Having a stroke will take much more time out of your schedule!

And how empowering it is , to know you can actually do something about it, and have a justified excuse to have fun – and that better balance in life you may also need!

At About Backs and Bones in Derby, Derbyshire, we are trained to recognise signs of ill or sub-optimal health and help you boost your wellbeing and create a better balance  so you can enjoy the things you want to do in life.  We are easily accessible being on the A6, Allestree and  we are centrally placed near the A38, A50 and M1.

So if you would like some support or feel you don’t have the confidence to start, just give us a call. We will show you how capable you are, and support you all the way!

About Backs & Bones, 506 Duffield rd, Allestree, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 2DL    Tel 01332 553