Don't be a couch potato this Christmas!

Let’s face it, it’s cold outside and when it’s cold all we want to do is cuddle up on the sofa with a nice hot drink and a mince pie (well it is almost December)! However, as well as not being particularly good for your waistline, becoming a couch potato could also be damaging for your back.

36% of people in Britain suffering with back pain say that their pain is triggered by sitting for long periods of time. Sitting for extended periods of time puts almost twice as much pressure on the back as standing and with most sofas offering little or no support for the back the effect on posture can be long term.

So while we snuggle up on the sofa with a cheesy Christmas movie follow these simple tips on looking after your back:

• ·         Switch positions. You should alternate between sitting on the sofa and sitting on the floor with your back rested firmly against the base of the sofa to keep your posture upright.
• ·         Variety is the spice of life. Try to have a range of chairs available so that you don’t always end up on the sofa; a sturdier chair for example will support your lower back more effectively.
• ·         Take a break. Get off the sofa at regular intervals (even if it’s only to make a cup of tea) and walk round the house to stretch your muscles.

Above all else, if you can bear to leave the comfort of your lovely warm home try to get some exercise and go for a walk and some fresh air.

The Back Pain Show 2013

The Back Pain Show is the UK’s largest annual gathering of people living with back pain. Taking place at Olympia, London on 22^nd – 23^rd February 2013 the event is a great place to meet people and get advice.

There will be experts on hand, who will host seminars and demonstrate relaxation techniques as well as shopping and innovative new products on display.

If you register now tickets are free saving £10 per person if bought on the door.

To register for free tickets or to find out more go to www.backpainshow.co.uk

Christmas is all wrapped up at The Wellness Hub

Fed up of getting the same gifts every Christmas? Ready to scream if you get one more pair of socks? Well worry not; The Wellness Hub is here with the answer to all your Christmas prayers...

This Christmas we are pleased to introduce our aromatherapy massage packages; starting from just £25 for a 30 minute session. All gift packages will be presented in a mug with a gift card and a sachet of warming hot chocolate. And as if that isn’t enough, for every 5 treatments you buy the 6^th will be completely free!

Every family has “the one who is impossible to buy for” so what better gift than the gift of total relaxation this Christmas?

If you want to know more about our Christmas packages or you want some inspiration for gift ideas pop in or give us a call!

Movember at The Wellness Hub

November has become Movember at The Wellness Hub. Up and down the country men are joining in with the Movember effort and donning a wild array of wacky and wonderful moustaches. This is all part of a worldwide campaign to raise not only funds for but also awareness of men’s health and specifically prostrate and testicular cancer.

Movember kicked off on the 1^st of November where each participant or Mo Bro as they are known for the month began with a clean shaven face, they will then spend the rest of the month growing and grooming a moustache. The size and shape of the moustache is the choice of the Mo Bro but it must not become a beard or a goatee; moustaches only!

Jez is taking part and will be sharing his Movember journey with you all before and after pictures.

To donate to this great cause visit http://uk.movember.com/ and search Jeremy Procter.

Have a great Movember everyone!

Should I try acupuncture?

Q – I suffer with terrible lower back pain when I have my period. A friend of mine suggested acupuncture but I know nothing about it. Would it help?

A - Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at certain points of the body. Acupuncture is an alternative medicine and unlike conventional treatment is not always based on scientific evidence in the way that Western medicine is.

The Theory

Acupuncture is based on the belief that life flows through the body in channels called meridians and when the life force cannot flow freely through the body this causes illness.

Some practitioners believe that acupuncture may stimulate nerves and muscle tissue, and that this may be responsible for any beneficial effects.

Uses

Acupuncture is practised to treat a wide range of health conditions including:

·         Headaches

·         Lower back pain

·         Dental pain

·         Infertility

·         Anxiety

·         Asthma

Does it work?

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture as a treatment option for lower back pain.

More scientific research is needed to establish whether acupuncture is effective against other conditions.

However, many practitioners and clients claim that the benefits of acupuncture are far reaching and even life changing.

Benefits

• Acupuncture is often used by cancer patients to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapies providing an improved quality of life.

• Acupuncture can help treat the symptoms associated with PMS and menopause including; cramps, headaches, mood swings and night sweats.

• Acupuncture can help strengthen the immune system by balancing the body’s energy systems.

• Acupuncture can help provide relief from insomnia by helping to unblock any of the causes of sleep imbalance.

• Acupuncture can help to provide emotional balance and can reduce depression, anxiety, frustration and worry. Acupuncture points have a physical and emotional aspect to their function.

• Acupuncture can help with pain reduction by targeting specific points of the body

Which is the right massage for me?

Q - I really want to have a massage but have no idea which kind would be best for me. What would you suggest?

A - There are a number of different types of massage, all of which have different effects, some can be invigorating and some can be relaxing.

There is a massage style to suit most needs. Below we will take a look at a few:

Swedish massage – a slightly less in-depth version of a sports massage, this is a full body massage which includes feet, lower limbs, upper limbs, neck and shoulders. A Swedish massage will increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage and for many clients this is one of the most relaxing treatments at it relieves stress in a gentle way.

Aromatherapy massage – a very gentle massage which targets specific trigger points along the body to help drain and revitalise tissues using a tailor made blend of essential oils.

Indian head massage – a deeply relaxing treatment which involves the client sitting upright whilst their upper back, shoulders, arms, head and face undergo a full massage. An Indian head massage can be very beneficial to those with blocked sinuses as it deals with the head and the face and will leave the client feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Our main aim is for our clients to leave happy and for them to get exactly what they want, with this in mind there is always room for adaptation to create a massage that suits you. 

Q&A with The Wellness Hub

Q- I love running, both on the road and on the treadmill at the gym, but I’ve recently developed knee pain (it’s especially bad when I am running on the road). Do I have to give up running?

A -Running isn’t necessarily the best exercise choice for someone who suffers with knee problems, however, if you ensure you have good quality running shoes and avoid excessively uneven running surfaces you should be fine.

Being overweight, smoking and drinking excessively can also be disastrous for your knees. Drinking plenty of water is vital for good general and also joint health and shouldn’t be underestimated as a preventative measure.

You should ensure that any underlying problems with the mechanics of your knees are addressed as they are such complex joints and any ongoing issues can put too much strain on your knees.

Providing there isn’t any major degeneration in the joint you should be able to look forward to many more years of happy, healthy running.

Putting your best foot forward

“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art” – Leonardo Da Vinci

We each take between 5,000 and 18,000 steps per day and that is a lot of work for our often neglected feet. If there is a misalignment in our foot structure the constant repetition of walking can cause injuries and continued movement can aggravate these injuries.

This is where a podiatrist comes in. Podiatrists assess, analyse and treat foot and lower limb injuries, both those of a sporting and general nature. When dealing with a sports patient prevention becomes a focal point and it is essential that the podiatrist has an understanding of all potential risk factors, these include the demands of the sports, the demands of the training schedule and the level of competition and aspirations of the individual.  With a general patient there is focus upon the types of socks and shoes worn, muscle mass and lifestyle.

A podiatrist will often use orthoses which are primarily insoles that affect the foot and its intersection with the ground during walking or running. This can help with back, hip and knee pain, shin splints, achilles pain, tendonitis and heel pain. The podiatrist’s aim is to alleviate discomfort at an injury site and to prevent an injury occurring.

If your feet hurt, if they are getting an undue amount of hard skin, if their colour changes, if they are deforming or changing shape a podiatry check should be considered. Even masterpieces need a little maintenance now and again!

Pilates and your pain

Pilates is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous, it has become one of the most popular exercise regimes in the world with numerous benefits to its devotees.

Pilates can provide great relief to those suffering with various ailments; it can even be effective for those suffering with chronic back pain. Incorporating Pilates into your routine doesn’t need to be time consuming, just a few simple exercises can be effective, however, you should be sure to take instruction from a qualified professional and ensure it is appropriate for your condition.

Pilates can help to:

• Teach good movement skills to our bodies
• Create a balance between strength and flexibility 
• Relieve stress
• Improve posture

By improving the basics of posture and flexibility using Pilates and understanding why the movements are helping, patients can reep the benefits of reducing their pain and improve their fittness at the same time.

To find a qualified instructor go to www.exerciseregister.org and remember that you can incorporate a Pilates regime into ongoing care with a chiropractor or osteopath.