Are you missing the point?

 *** Acupuncture treatment can help back pain *** 

Nearly a third of people admit to having poor posture, which means we are heading for a back pain epidemic.  

The recent Acupuncture Awareness Week highlighted back pain and how our lifestyle choices are putting our backs under too much strain.

Many of us sit at desks all day, then go home and sit for the rest of the evening - eating meals on laps, working with laptops, slouching on the sofa... some of the many things that lead to bad posture.

As your posture deteriorates it makes it much easier to strain the muscles and irritate the nerves around your back joints.  This can trigger bouts of back pain which if left untreated can go on for months or, in some cases, years.

Acupuncture is a great alternative to taking pain killers for back pain problems.  Rather than masking symptoms, it actually changes the way the brain perceives signals from the body.  It allows the brain to dampen down pain signals, especially useful if the pain response is no longer useful (e.g. if a body part has healed after an injury, but the brain is still protecting the area, as if it is damaged).

Acupuncture is based on ancient principles which go back nearly two thousand years.  Very fine, sterile needles are inserted painlessly at specific points of the body to trigger a healing response.  The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture for persistent, non-specific lower back pain.  Its guidelines recommend that GPs should offer a course of 10 sessions of acupuncture as a first line treatment.

It is a shame then that 40% of people would only consider visiting an acupuncturist as a last resort!

The NHS admits there is reasonably good evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic back pain, as well as dental pain; pain and discomfort during gastrointestinal endoscopy; headache; nausea and vomiting after an operation; pain and discomfort during IVF procedures; and osteoarthritis of the knee.

Simple lifestyle changes together with acupuncture treatment could save millions of people taking pain medication every day.

If you are suffering with back pain (or any other problem that is causing you to reach for the paracetamol tablets), come along to Absolute Health for a consultation.  We will try to offer a suitable treatment to help you get back to health and help you reduce the need for pain killers. 

Call Absolute Health today on 0116 282 7766 - let us help you to Get The Most out of Life!

Look after your feet!

Read the NHS top 10 tips on how to look after your feet, with special advice for the over-60s.

The good news is that looking after your feet can prevent most of these problems.

Your feet take the weight of your whole body, so foot problems can quickly lead to discomfort and affect the way you walk. This can in turn cause knee, hip and back pain.

Investing a bit of time and thought into caring for your feet now can prevent them causing you pain later.

Foot facts

Each foot contains 26 bones and more than 100 ligaments.

Your feet contain more than a quarter of all the bones in your body.

The skin on your feet has more than 7,000 nerve endings.

There are more than 125,000 sweat glands on each foot, more than anywhere else in the body.

Your feet produce an eggcup’s worth of sweat each day.

Wash your feet often

Don’t go to bed without washing your feet. If you leave dirt on the skin’s surface, it can become irritated and infected. If your feet are dirty, wash them every evening with soap and water.

Dry your feet well

Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them, especially between the toes which is where germs such as Athlete's foot can easily breed. Then, apply a moisturising foot cream (not body lotion).

Remove hard skin

Gently remove hard skin and calluses with a pumice stone or foot file regularly. 

Cut toenails carefully

Always trim your toenails straight across, never at an angle or down the edges. This can cause ingrowing toenails which are painful and may require surgery.

Shoe shop in the afternoon

Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Feet swell as the day goes on and if shoes fit in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest, you can be assured they will always be comfortable.

Footwear tips for work

If you have to wear heels at work, wear comfortable shoes to and from the office and only wear your smart shoes once you're in the office. Also, try to vary the heel height, between low, medium and high. Ask your chiropodist for advice about the best footwear for you.

Change your socks often to avoid foot odour

Change your socks daily. Read advice from the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists on buying socks.

Watch out for foot bugs in communal changing areas

Wear flip-flops to avoid catching athlete's foot and verrucas when you use public areas such as gym showers, swimming pools or hotel bathrooms. 

Take care with flip flops

But don't wear flip-flops all the time. They don't provide support for your feet and can give you arch and heel pain if you wear them too much.

Foot pain advice for over-60s

If you're over 60, foot care becomes even more important. Age takes its toll: your skin thins, your joints begin to stiffen and your feet become more vulnerable to the cold.  It can become difficult to care for your own feet if back or hip stiffness prevents you fully bending forwards.  Don't neglect your feet though - ask your local chiropodist to check the state of your toenails and skin on the feet if you have any discomfort when walking.  A regular check-up can prevent any serious problems developing, so give Absolute Health a ring to book your next foot health or chiropody treatment.

Advice provided by the NHS Choices website http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/Healthyfeet.aspx

Benefits of Osteopathy

The benefits of seeing an osteopath

If you suffer from pain it might be a good idea to see an osteopath, but what can you expect from them and how much does it cost?

Massage and soft tissue stretching are some of the treatments an osteopath will use

One in four visits we make to the GP is for pain affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves (musculoskeletal pain). Osteopathy, a hands-on therapy devised in the 19th century by the US physician and surgeon Dr Andrew Still offers a gentle way to help relieve such pain and stiffness without the need for medication and more invasive treatments such as surgery.

Who can benefit from seeing an osteopath?

Although often thought of as a treatment for back and neck pain, osteopathy can help a wide range of conditions, including repetitive strain injury, postural imbalances caused by driving or work strain, arthritis and minor sports injuries. People over 50 often have some osteoarthritis in the spine, which can manifest itself as stiffness and aching and the occasional acute spasm. Osteopaths aim to reduce chronic tension in the muscles and ligaments to improve mobility of the spine, which in turn can make the back or neck feel much easier and reduce the number of acute episodes. Osteopathy can also help with aches and pains associated with osteoporosis, although obviously it can’t cure the condition itself.

What does treatment from an osteopath involve?

An initial consultation usually takes from 45 minutes to an hour and subsequent treatments 30 to 40 minutes. At a first visit the osteopath will want to know all about the problem that brought you there and will ask about other medical conditions before performing a physical examination. You will be asked to perform a few simple movements so the osteopath can observe your posture and mobility, and he or she will gently palpate your joints, tissues and ligaments to detect any tenderness or imbalances. After this he or she will treat you using a number of different techniques. These include soft tissue stretching, massage, something called ‘muscle energy technique’ that helps to reduce muscle spasms, manipulation of the spine and other joints and other gentle techniques designed to rebalance the body and stimulate healing. Treatment is usually quite gentle but can be a little firmer depending on the patient.

You may be asked to remove some clothing for examination and treatment. After the treatment the osteopath may prescribe specific exercises to help keep you supple and prevent pain returning and/or advise you on the use of ice packs and other non-invasive ways of easing pain, posture and other lifestyle habits. If you can’t get to a clinic the osteopath may be able to visit you at home, although this is likely to be much more expensive.

How many osteopathy sessions should you have?

Recent injuries can often be eased within just two to four sessions. More chronic problems may take longer to resolve – usually between six and twelve sessions but sometimes more. Some people find that coming in every few months for maintenance treatments helps keep them mobile and pain-free, in conjunction with exercising and a healthy diet.

How much does seeing an osteopath it cost?

At Absolute Health, initial consultation and treatment costs £60 with follow-up treatment sessions costing £37.

Original article by Patsy Westcott, Saga website, published 17 July 2012

Extract from http://www.saga.co.uk/health/body/osteopath-benefits.aspx

BackCare Awareness Week 7-11 October 2013

BackCare - the national back pain association - is promoting the roles of carers during this year's BackCare Awareness Week.

Carers provide invaluable help and assistance to their children, friends, relatives, and partners, but what happens when their work leads to back pain, compromising their ability to care? 

Back pain is endemic among carers: a 2011 survey found that 70% of carers experienced back and shoulder pain. This issue seriously affects the quality of life of those who should be most valued in our society, as well as impacting on their caregiving work, which saves the NHS and local authorities very significant sums of money.*

Becoming aware of how changes to posture can help to relieve back pain, and how Osteopathy can help to deal with sore muscles and stiff joints, you will then be able to help yourself get back to full strength and continue your essential work for others.

Absolute Health is committed to helping anyone suffering with back pain caused by muscle and joint problems and is offering a special rate for Osteopathy treatments between 7th to 11th October 2013.  As a new patient, mention BackCare Awareness Week to receive 50% off the cost of your initial consultation and treatment cost (normally £63).  Also, if you can refer any friends or relatives to us, we will also offer you a £10 gift voucher as a 'thank you'.  We rely on word of mouth referrals so if you have had a good experience please tell others.

To make an appointment or request any information about how Osteopathy can help you, please call Richard or Sophie on 0116 282 7766.

* http://www.backcare.org.uk

Poor Posture at Work

Many of our patients seek treatment for problems that stem from poor posture at work or when driving.  Getting the right advice is as important as getting the right treatment to help restore function in your spine and keep muscles and joints pain free.

Changing daily habits to correct posture problems will take some effort and perseverance, and will seem a little unnatural at first. It is typical to feel uncomfortable, and even feel a little taller, but over time the new posture will seem natural and more comfortable.

Following are some guidelines of how to achieve good posture and ergonomics in the workplace and other situations.

Sitting Posture for Office Chairs

• Be sure your back is supported against the back of the office chair. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, especially when tired
• For long term sitting, such as in an office chair, be sure your chair is ergonomically designed to properly support the back and that a lumbar support cushion is used if needed
• When sitting on an office chair at a desk, your arms should be flexed at a 75 to 90 degree angle at the elbows. If this is not the case, the office chair should be adjusted accordingly
• Knees should be even with the hips, or slightly lower when sitting in the office chair
• Keep both feet flat on the floor. If there's a problem with feet reaching the floor comfortably, a foot rest can be used 
• Don't sit in one place for too long, even in ergonomic office chairs. Get up and walk around and stretch every hour (even for just one minute).

Standing Posture

• Stand with weight mostly on the balls of your feet, not with weight on your heels
• Keep feet slightly apart (about shoulder width apart)
• Let arms hang naturally down the sides of the body
• Avoid locking your knees (don't extend them too much)
• Tuck the chin in a little to keep the head level
• Be sure your head is not pushed out forward too far
• Stand straight and tall, with shoulders as far back as is comfortable
• If standing for a long period of time, shift weight from one foot to the other, or rock from heels to toes to keep the joints mobile.

Walking Posture

• Keep your head up and eyes looking straight ahead
• Avoid pushing the head forward
• Keep shoulders properly aligned with the rest of the body

Driving Posture

• Sit with your back firmly against the seat for proper back support
• Use a wedge cushion and/or lumbar support cushion to discourage slouching
• The seat should be adjusted so your distance from the pedals and steering wheel doesn't require you to lean forward or over-reach
• The headrest should support the middle of the head to keep it upright. Tilt the headrest forward if possible to make sure that the head-to-headrest distance is not more than four inches.

Find out more about how our Osteopaths can help you by clicking here

[extracts from http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/guidelines-improve-posture]

Explore Pain at the Science Museum

Pain Less is a new exhibition featured in the Antenna – Science News gallery investigating the future of pain relief.

Last year, nearly 6 billion painkillers were sold in the UK. Pain is a constant reality for some people, especially if you're one of the 1 in 5 who suffer from relentless chronic pain.

We treat pain with drugs that haven’t really changed for decades. Is there a better way to control pain?

Explore pain through the stories of extraordinary people who deal with it every day – from the patient who suffers with chronic pain in his missing limb, to the man who feels no pain at all.

How are scientists working to create the perfect pain relief? Geneticists decode DNA to find out how pain works in the body. Neuroscientists examine brain activity to discover how emotion affects how we feel pain. Researchers ask, do we really feel no pain during surgery under anaesthetic? Or do we simply not remember it? How might this affect us?

Pain Less introduces you to the latest pain research, through personal stories, scientific discovery, fascinating objects, films and even games.

Check out their blog to explore the content and creation of Pain Less.

Bowen Therapy - gentle treatment for all ages

Bowen Therapy

How can a therapy that seems to do so little achieve so much?

Many patients receiving a course of Bowen Therapy treatment are genuinely  surprised and often delighted when they notice a significant improvement in their symptoms.  It can seem hard to understand how a treatment which is so gentle and 'light touch' can change the body in so many ways.

Both recent and chronic conditions including muscle and joint aches and pains can be helped by stimulating the receptors in the neuromuscular system using 'Bowen moves'.  

The aim of this therapy is to stimulate the body to speed up its natural healing response.  Sometimes, despite the body having recovered from an injury, the brain has 'locked in' muscle tension and seems unaware that there is a problem with reduced circulation, build up of waste products and unnecessary tightness in some muscles.  

The Bowen Technique offers a gentle reminder to the body that all is not well, and the body seems to take the hint by readjusting the nerve signals to these problem areas.  After a short course of treatment, the nervous system seems to have made subtle changes which affect the blood supply to areas of the body which have been causing unncessary pain.

Bowen Therapy is often reported to help other conditions which the patient wasn't complaining of at the time - for example, someone with back pain having treatment may report that as well as the aching in the low back improving they also noted they were sleeping better, or a student with elbow pain reporting that their concentration levels during exams was better.

If you are suffering from a condition that you think should have resolved by now and your doctor is happy that there is no underlying disease or serious problem, you may want to try a new approach.  Rather than masking your symptoms using pain killing medication, you could try Bowen Therapy to give your body a gentle 'kick start' to recovery - don't wait any longer, give Absolute Health a call on 0116 282 7766 and come in for a free health check and 10% off the cost of your first treatment.