Watch your back

At this time of year we start to see several people who have injured themselves on holiday. It is not the sort of holidays that you might expect either. Rather than activity holidays like biking, kayaking, tennis and walking trips it is the inactivity holidays that are worst culprit. As stress builds leading up to the departure date, aches and pains start to recur before people even get to their destination.

Even packing can cause back pain. Getting cobweb laden suitcases out of lofts and cupboards often means twisting into tight spaces. Bending over repeatedly to pack holiday essentials also aggravates the back muscles and joints. The dash to the airport, lugging heavy bags out of the boot of the car and on and off trolleys can be troublesome. Standing in a check-in queue for hours at 5 am can play a part too.

Travelling is rarely a pleasure especially if you are crammed into an aircraft seat designed for someone who is obviously six inches shorter than you are. A few hours sitting still whether it is in a plane, train or car will often cause even a healthy spine to stiffen a bit. Combine that with the contact sport that is the luggage carousel and conditions are ripe for a back strain.

Finally you arrive at the hotel or apartment only to find beds that are too hard or too soft and a pillow that is worn out. Then there is more bending to un-pack. You have completed a spinal assault course and you have only just arrived.

Sunbeds are another hazard for the unsuspecting. Lying still for ages, especially on your front, can aggravate a stiff back. Combine this with unaccustomed activities such as splashing about in the pool or sea, sailing, windsurfing or even banana boat rides and conditions are perfect for aches and pains to start.

There is one more obvious danger lurking – sunburn. The usual preventative steps are well-known – a hat, sunscreen and staying out of the hottest part of the day but there is a little known secret that can help prevent sunburn. Omega 3 essential oil supplements. Omega 3 oils help protect the skin against sun damage and will work best when used with the other prevention measures.

Top Tips to prevent holiday aches and pains

1. Pack well in advance to avoid the stress and place the suitcase at a suitable height to reduce bending.
2. Get help lifting bags and bend from the knees rather than the waist.
3. Use wheeled cases or buy a separate lightweight luggage trolley.
4. Use a ruck sack rather than a hand carrier.
5. Take an orthpaedic travel pillow (available at Sundial).
6. Take Omega 3 oils for two weeks before departure and whilst away.
7. Fold a jumper behind your back for support when in a poor seat.
8. Put a duvet under you on a hard mattress, put a soft mattress on the floor.
9. Don’t lie on a sun lounger for more that half an hour and for no more that 15 minutes on your front
10. Book a spine check with a chiropractor if you are having any pre-holiday niggles.

If all else fails fly first class and get your butler to carry the luggage. Have a great trip.

Related posts:

1. Matthew talks to BBC on back pain in children

Antony, our physio, has been busy following on from the Brighton Marathon. He has seen lots of runners who have not recovered as well as they had hoped or who have pulled muscles or aggravated knee and foot problems on the gruelling 26.2 miles course. Our state of the art laser is proving a real bonus in treating these injuries and is the only one in Brighton.

Sundial also supported the Rocking Horse Appeal runners in the marathon. The runners raised over £200,000. Our very own massage therapist, Yvette Knapman, was on hand at the end of the run to knead tired muscles and soothe away at least some of the aches and pains. We also provided the runners with pre-run training tips, check-ups and a goody bag full of useful things like an ice pack for emergency first aid.

Our other massage therapist Jewel O’Connell actually ran the marathon. She said “I raised £630 for the Rockinghorse Appeal, a local Sussex Children’s Charity.  I ran the course in 4hours 24mins, which I was really pleased with.  The atmosphere on the day was amazing and the crowds gave everyone a wonderful support.  I can’t wait for the next one.”

She must be mad!

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Using x-rays to see inside the body has been around since 1895 and chiropractors were amongst the first to use this wonderful new technology. The first x-ray machine to be installed in a chiropractic college was in 1910 in Davenport, Iowa. Since then x-ray use fallen in and out of favour in both medical and chiropractic circles. Everyone assumes that all x-rays pose a risk to health but latest research puts this to the test.

Recently NICE recommended against the routine use of x-rays for simple low back pain. As far back as 1976 studies(1) showed that ordinary x-ray films don’t show the cause of the pain. Further arguments showed that in most cases and doesn’t improve care or the clinical outcome.  Whilst that may be true for medicine where the first treatment is medication and then, after a while, physiotherapy exercises, chiropractors use x-rays differently.

The 1976 study was limited to the 18-50 age group so the same conclusion cannot be drawn for older back sufferers. Chiropractors take films standing up which shows such things as leg length differences far more accurately than measuring the legs or eyeballing differences at the feet or ankles. Hospitals take back x-rays lying down which show disease but mask postural changes like spinal curvature (scoliosis)  and disc compression with instability.

Chiropractors main form of treatment is manipulation or adjustment of the spine. Whilst this is a safe procedure in most people, if you have a hidden spinal birth defect, x-ray can show if it safe to adjust. Chiropractors feel for individual spinal bone movement and it is the loss of this movement which is thought to cause many forms of back pain. If there is a spinal defect where 2 vertebra have not  grown properly and have fused, which is not uncommon, then that segment will move abnormaly. Without an x-ray a chiropractor might conclude that this was 2 bones locked together causing the pain and start treatment to unlock them. In a review of 847 x-rays form new borns to 85 year olds, 68 % had observable anomalies (2).  These ranged from common wear-and-tear arthritis to tumours and fractures. It is good to know so that the right treatment can be applied.

Are X-rays Safe?

We are exposed to x-rays every day, about 2.4 mSv a year. In Cornwall the rock emits more radiation so it is bit higher here ( no Cornish jokes please). When we fly the exposure is higher still. It has been assumed that any exposure is harmful. This has not been based on research but an assumption that the effects are linear down to zero. This theory means that even small doses have a small adverse effect.

But is this true. In 2008 Rodgers and Holmes (3) went to Chernobyl to find out. Astonishingly they found that at small doses of up to 15 mSv, x-rays were actually beneficial! Up to this level people had lower levels of cancer than a normal un-exposed population. So x-rays are good for you, within reason. A set of 2 low back x-rays is about 1 mSv (4) and the maximum safe dose is 20 mSv a year (5).

The British Chiropractic Association insists on a strict code of practice to ensure even higher safety standards. Regular site inspections and equipment maintenance is carried out to make the best use of a valuable resource in the chiropractors diagnostic options.

References

1. Nachemson, A. L. (1976). The lumbar spine an orthopaedic challenge. Spine,1, 59-71.

2. Beck, R. W., Holt, K. R., Fox, M. A., &  Hurtgen-Grace, K. L. (2004). Radiographic anomalies that may alter chiropractic intervention strategies found in a New Zealand population. Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, 27, 554-9.

3. Rodgers, B. E., &  Holmes, K. M. (2008). Radio-adaptive response to environmental exposures at Chernobyl. Dose Response, 6, 209-21.

4. Wall, B. F., &  Hart, D. (1997). Revised radiation doses for typical X-ray examinations. Report on a recent review of doses to patients from medical X-ray examinations in the UK by NRPB. National Radiological Protection Board. Br J Radiol, 70, 437-9.

5. World Nuclear Association (2009). Radiation and Nuclear Energy. Dec 2009 from  http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf05.html

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Arthritis is a joint disorder. The joints are inflamed which can cause significant pain and can interfere with an individual’s regular daily routine. A lot of people suffering from arthritis depend on medications to relieve the pain but depending on drugs is not a very healthy option. So we’ll be sharing four simple secrets to relieve pain caused by arthritis without the use of drugs.

Secret 1: Hypnotherapy. Controlling your mind about how you perceive the pain definitely eases the pain or even stops your brain from recognising that you are in pain. Hypnotherapy doesn’t let you lose control over your mind, it’s the complete opposite. You are gaining control over your own mind to stop the brain from perceiving the pain you feel.

Secret 2: Exercise. Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise. There are exercises that can help you if you have arthritis such as:

• Walking. Walking maintains joint flexibility and builds the strength of joints which is good for arthritis because it is mainly caused by an inflammation of the joints.
• Tai Chi. A martial art exercise that originated from China that includes flowing fluid like circular movement of the arms and legs that allows you to relax and improves your range of motion.
• Yoga. This relaxing activity provides relief to stiff muscles and relieves sore joints through the use of deep breathing techniques, controlled movements, stretches and pressures.
• Exercise in warm water. This eases stiff joints and eases muscles that are sore. Water allows the body to move in full motion without any pressure or difficulty.
• Our physiotherapist can advise on specific exercises and put a tailored programme together. Click here for more information.

Secret 3: Lose the extra weight. Keeping your weight within normal ranges greatly lessens the pressure on your load bearing joints. If you know your weight has gone a bit overboard then now would be a good time to go on a healthy diet.

Secret 4: Watch what you eat. Some foods will affect the level of pain you feel and the level of inflammation in your joints. Eat a diet that consists of raw nuts and seeds, vegetables and fruits. Follow this regimen for 30 days and observe if the pain is caused by something you eat or is greatly lessened because of your present diet. Another healthy option is to snack on raw nuts and fruit smoothies. Foods that can cause inflammation of the joints are caffeine, sugar, salt, fast food, and processed food which you should avoid.

Now that you have the secrets to relieve pain caused by arthritis, you are on the way to easy and healthy recovery without the use of medications. To sum up the secrets, simply change your diet, lose the extra weight, exercise and control your own mind. This takes dedication but is worth it if you really want to get rid of the arthritis pain that has been bugging you.

Related posts:

1. Relieving Pain with Hypnotherapy
2. Nutritional Therapy Right at Home

Physiotherapy is a therapy that makes use of physical techniques to relieve pain and increase mobility. Physiotherapists will often use exercise as a treatment. So here are a few easy physiotherapy exercises for your back, neck and foot that you can do at home to help yourself.

Take note. If you are suffering significant pain do NOT undertake these exercises and seek medical advice immediately. If you suffer pain during these exercises then stop and seek medical advice.

Tips to get the most out of these exercises.

• Repeat each exercise at least 5 times and increase this number over time.
• Remember quality of exercise is better than quantity, so, stay focussed on the area of the body you are exercising.
• Slow, smooth movements are best.

Back exercises. Many people go to physiotherapists with back pain. Here are two exercises that help to relieve pain and reduce stiffness in the back:

• Exercise 1. Lie on your back with both of your legs straight. In this position, bring your left knee up close to your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Return your leg to the straight position. Repeat with the right leg.

• Exercise 2. Stand up with your arms on your side. Bend to the left side while slowly sliding your left hand down your left leg. Come back up slowly and relax. Repeat with the right side of your body.

Neck exercises. These are great exercises if your neck is strained from staring at a computer screen all day long. Do these exercises sitting up straight in your chair and do not slouch!.

• Exercise 1. Keep your eyes centred on one object directly in front of you, now slowly move your head back. You will now be looking at the roof. Keep your whole body still. Hold this position for 5 seconds and slowly return your head to the start position.

• Exercise 2. Keep your eyes centred on one object directly in front of you, now slowly move your head down. You will now be looking at the floor. Keep your whole body still. Hold this position for 5 seconds and slowly return your head to the start position.

• Exercise 3. Keep your eyes centred on one object directly in front of you, turn your head to the left, your vision should be in line with your left shoulder. Turn your head as far as you can and hold the position for 5 seconds. Slowly relax as you return your head to the start position.

Foot exercises. Do the following exercises barefoot:

• Exercise 1. First write digits 1 to 10 using your toes raised up in the air.
• Exercise 2. Sit on a chair, raise your toes and curl them
• Exercise 3. Pick up a small piece of cloth off the floor using your toes.
• Exercise 4. Still in a sitting position, point your toes and circle your ankles in a slow counter and clockwise motion.
• Exercise 5. Stand up from the sitting position and go on tip toe for 5 seconds.

You can even do these exercises at work, so there is no excuse! You’ll be happy with the results. For more information visit our physio page by clicking here.

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Food is definitely something we cannot live without. Everyone depends on it for survival. The food we eat should contain all the nutrients our bodies need to perform our daily routines, jobs and activities but for most of us today the food we eat contains fewer nutrients than in years gone by and in fact is increasingly loaded with things we should avoid like sugar, salt, additives, pesticides and herbicides.

However, did you know that even food can be used as an approach to heal or relieve ailments? Yes you read that right. Even the chocolate bar you may be munching on right now may be relieving your stress. How is that possible? Well, chocolate has over 200 chemicals that increase the levels of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are the natural pain killers of the body. Not only that, chocolate contains phenylalanine which is a known substance that makes you feel happy or gives you that giddy feeling when you’re in love. Food has a great impact on health, energy, mood and even appearance. The saying: “You are what you eat” definitely applies to nutritional therapy.

Food has a lot of benefits which is why there are books about nutritional therapy available in any book store. The good news is that nutritional therapy can be easily done at home and you don’t have to spend much.

So what exactly is nutritional therapy? Nutritional therapy is the use of nutrition to promote optimum health in an individual to combat diseases or ailments. Now there is no one diet that is perfect for everyone. So, for best results, ask a nutritional therapist to develop a nutritious diet specifically for you.

However, there are things you can do right now to start nutritional therapy at home. Simply follow the guide lines I’ve mentioned below and you are on the right road to a healthy lifestyle and diet.

• Limit the amount of packaged and processed foods you have in your cupboards. Always read the labels and ingredients of the food you buy as these foods often contain heaps of sugar, salt, hydrogenated fats and preservatives that do us no good at all.
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables – aim for 5 portions a day. Eating salads is a great way to help you on your way to this but be sure to limit the amount of dressing you use!
• Stick to water as your drink of choice. Even better make it filtered water and use it for cooking too.
• Limit the biscuits and cakes that you have close by and may get tempted by during the day. This will help cut down on excess sugar and carbohydrates that we take in.
• Salt may be an important ingredient to your special dish but don’t keep adding salt when you think the taste isn’t quite enough. Salt is a major factor that causes high blood pressure so lay off the salt.

These are just simple tips to follow on nutritional therapy right at home. Start the right choices, starting with the food you eat today. Live healthy and happy!

Related posts:

1. Four Secrets to Relieve Arthritis – Without the Use of Drugs

Most of us have suffered some form of physical pain during our lives. Pain can have a significant impact on our daily routine and can affect our performance. Sometimes it may become so bothersome that it wrecks our whole day.

Increasingly people depend on pain medications when pain becomes too bothersome and impacts on their daily lives. But depending on a tablets isn’t as healthy as you think. You can find that your body becomes dependent on a certain dose of a pain medication and, when something more severe occurs, one tablet is not enough.

That is why some therapists recommend hypnosis to relieve the pain rather than merely depending on synthetic medications. Hypnotherapy can be very effective even when the source of pain is unknown. We also know that pain is a subjective experience meaning the person who feels it is the only person who knows he or she is in pain even if there are no symptoms to prove that pain is present. Therefore, hypnotherapy plays a vital role in relieving pain for people experiencing subjective pain. Hypnotherapy trains a person’s mind ways to process the pain he or she feels so that pain is no longer noticed.

Contrary to the belief of some, hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness but is an altered state of consciousness. So in the process of hypnotherapy to relieve the person’s pain, the individual is in control which is totally different from the belief that they are losing control over themselves. Hypnotherapy is about gaining control over your own body to a higher degree, allowing yourself not to feel or perceive pain.

Pain can be caused by our emotions. Emotional stress leads one person to have physical pain even if there are no proven symptoms of the pain. Stress levels in our brain can create a flood of chemicals throughout our body leading to inflammation which is perceived as pain. Hypnotherapy allows us to control our own cells and even the pain we feel.

All that hypnotherapy does is convince our brain to stop the signals that cause it to perceive pain. Once we have control over our brain, we no longer need to depend on synthetic medications to relieve our pain. Control over our mind is a powerful tool and it is a healthy option to relieve pain as well.

Related posts:

1. Four Secrets to Relieve Arthritis – Without the Use of Drugs

Many therapists offer treatments to help or aid a person’s health that are completely based on natural methods instead of being based on medications. We want to talk about two of these today: acupuncture and acupressure.

Both acupuncture and acupressure are holistic approaches to health. They are both based on interacting with meridians which carry energy (or Qi) throughout the body. Chinese tradition states that ailments are caused by a blockage of a person’s Qi. Acupuncture or acupressure is used to remove the blockage thus allowing the Qi to flow freely throughout the body again.

Knowing the common concept behind both of these holistic approaches in medicine, let’s move on to the difference between the two, starting with acupuncture. As the name suggests, this holistic method makes use of thin needles that puncture the skin. The needles used are totally different from those that a regular doctor uses. The needles used for acupuncture are made of metal and are flexible and very thin.  These are inserted by a trained acupuncturist beneath the skin or muscle and even tissue.  The needles are disposable and hypoallergenic and, of course, sterile. Trained acupuncturists ensure that there is no pain associated with the treatment. Once the needle reaches the pressure point, it clears the blockage and allows the Qi to move freely again. Unlike acupressure, acupuncture can only be performed by a trained specialist: an acupuncturist.

In acupressure, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points. Virtually anyone, who has read a handbook, can perform acupressure. You can even perform acupressure on yourself. To give you an example of an acupressure manoeuvre; if you massage the muscle located between your index finger and thumb, this is said to relieve headaches caused by dehydration. And, if you are suffering from motion sickness, try applying pressure on your forearm. This holistic approach is quite similar to massage since you’d only use your thumbs, fingers, elbows and palms. Contrary to the belief of some, acupressure has been used for centuries. It is a much older method, used long before acupuncture. Acupressure dates back to 2500 BC in China. Acupuncture and acupressure are both known as effective, holistic approaches in healing or relieving ailments and, for many people, they are a more effective treatment for ailments than taking a tablet.

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1. Acupuncture & Chiropractic recommended on the NHS

We are pleased to announce our first yoga course at Sundial Clinics, St James’s Street. Our instructor, Yvette Knapman, has been carefully selected for her expertise in using yoga to help people with a history of back or neck problems.

The 1 hour 15 minute classes will have a maximum of 5 people to allow for one to one instruction, and cost £10 each class, payable in advance.

For more information go to Our Treatments / Yoga page

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A new study by researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London, shows that children with emotional difficulties are at higher risk for obesity in adult life.

Previous research has shown that low self-esteem and emotional problems are found in people who are overweight or obese – but not which influences which.

The team studied data from around 6,500 members of the 1970 British Birth Cohort Study who, as 10 year-olds, had been assessed for emotional problems, self-perceptions and Body Mass Index (BMI), and who reported on their BMI again at age 30. The researchers found that children with a lower self-esteem, those who felt less in control of their lives and those who worried often were more likely to gain weight over the next 20 years. They also found that girls were slightly more affected by these factors than boys.

Team leader Andrew Ternouth said: ‘While we cannot say that childhood emotional problems cause obesity in later life, we can certainly say they play a role, along with factors such as parental BMI, diet and exercise.’

The authors suggest that early intervention for children suffering low self-esteem, anxiety or other emotional challenges could help improve their chances of long-term physical health. Ternouth continues: ‘Strategies to promote social and emotional aspects of learning, including the promotion of self-esteem, are central to a number of recent policy initiatives. Our findings suggest that approaches of this kind may carry positive benefits for physical health as well as for other aspects of children’s development.’

The authors conclude: ‘Given the growing problem with childhood obesity in many western societies, these findings are particularly important. On a larger scale, they may offer hope in the battle to control the current obesity epidemic.’

Comment

I love this study as it is big enough and over a long enough period to suggest a strong correlation between how we feel as children and how healthy we are as adults. Of course, now we know that this is an issue, how we can we affect childhood self-esteem? There are few children whose carers and teachers are not doing their best already. One way is to allow children to exert a measure of control over their own lives as this has been shown to improve self-esteem.

Matthew Bennett

‘Childhood emotional problems and self-perceptions predict weight gain in a longitudinal regression model’, Andrew Ternouth, David Collier and Barbara Maughan, BMC Medicine (in press).

The full article is available on the journal website.

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