We have just launched our new website, and we’ve also moved our blog – including all the existing posts found here – into our new site.
We won’t post anything new here – so to keep up to date with two osteopaths in Uxbridge, please head over to the new site: www.bridgetohealth.co.uk/news/
Thanks!
As a person, I have been interested in dietetics for almost 20 years. All started when my wife suffered a very nasty and painful bout of shingles, and flatly refused the extensive and powerful medical prescription on offer in favour of some significant dietary and lifestyle changes. Within three weeks, all traces of the infection and its manifestations had disappeared. I decided that prevention was better than cure, and followed suit. We have never looked back.
As holistic osteopaths, it is difficult to ignore the effects of diet, since it has such a fundamental qualitative impact on the very body tissues that Marcus and I palpate and treat daily: the muscle tone and quality of a smoker-drinker-fast food addict is quite radically different from that of a patient following a healthy diet and lifestyle – that much I can assure you!
We are fortunate that our osteopathic degree includes a diploma in dietetics, and we decided right from the start that Bridge to Health would actively promote dietary advice alongside osteopathic treatment. The form this service takes is very straightforward.
Diet Diary
Patients are asked to fill in a diet diary over a typical period of ten days – i.e. not involving atypical partying and dining out… They are asked to provide some general information about their diet, for example the type of bread and milk (if relevant) used, what oil is used for cooking or salads etc. On a daily basis, they then fill in with as much detail what is eaten and drunk, in what quantity and at what time. As relevant, patients are equally encouraged to provide information about symptoms, frame of mind, mood etc. As such, this process is known as a “diet-symptom diary“.
On completion, the diary is returned to us for analysis and review, which usually takes a week to ten days. We tend to use a combined quantitative and qualitative approach to interpret findings more systematically. Our emphasis is to provide guidelines tending towards the healthiest diet possible, whilst addressing causes of concern specific to each patient, for example weight loss, diabetes, reflux/hiatus hernia etc.
Effects and Causes of Diet, and Making Changes
We then schedule a review session with our patient, the focus of which is essentially positive: we aim to highlight existing positive features of the pre-existing diet, stress areas and causes of concern, and then lay-out and agree some practical suggestions and advice to implement dietary improvements.
This advice encompasses a range of issues including diet content (covering all food groups, vitamins and minerals), eating patterns, food quality etc. It also takes account of important patient particulars: does the patient live alone or with other people s/he will have to compose with? Does the patient know how to cook? Is the patient exposed to a wide or narrow range of food? etc.
The key to success is that the diet improvement strategy must be patient-driven. In other words, the patient must understand the rationale behind the advice, and honestly believe that he/she can happily implement and adopt it for the long haul. For instance, wholemeal porridge with cinnamon and grated apple is a great component of a diet to control diabetes or manage high blood cholesterol… but does the mere mention of “porridge” cause the patient stomach cramp?
Put simply, the nutrition advice we provide at Bridge to Health is based on sound, proven dietetics, but the patient has to be able to understand it, approve it and consistently apply it. With this in mind, we also make provision for the patient to feel free to contact us a few times after our meeting with a progress report, or questions that may arise while adopting and adjusting to the new diet.
If you have any questions about our diet diary approach, feel free to contact me by email or telephone the clinic on (Uxbridge – 01895) 2000 50.
The word holistic is one that is widely used amongst many forms of therapy and is frequently misused, as well as misunderstood. All too often, when we use this word as osteopaths, we come across a sceptical look from patients as they conjure images of some type of faith healer, chanting prayers whilst surrounded by clouds of incense! This isn’t quite what we are referring to.
Holism is a core osteopathic principle, centred on the notion that “the body is a unit”. Therefore, our approach to health takes the view that the cause of pain in one particular area may not originate from that specific location, its roots may not even stem from a physical origin. Health is multi-factorial (i.e. health is affected by many factors) and it is the role of the osteopath to remember this when dealing with each individual patient.
This diagram below represents some of the factors that contribute to health. It is a simple view of something which is infinitely more complicated.
To take a truly holistic view, these areas can be further broken down. When patients come to see us with shoulder pain, they often get confused as to why we start assessing their pelvis or foot mechanics, but it isn’t possible to get a full understanding of how the shoulder is affected without taking a step back to take a look at the ‘whole’’ of the person, including their health history, posture, gait, and so on.
In the same manner that osteopathy is ‘holistic’ in examining a patient, it is equally holistic in the forms of treatment that it employs to help steer its patients’ health back onto the right path. “Holistic treatment” involves physical therapy, combined with exercise, lifestyle changes (shoes, bags, seated ergonomics, learning how to lean over and carry etc.), dietary advice, or simply acting as a counsellor to the patient to ease health concerns.
Marcus and I are ‘holistic’ osteopaths, our practice is called Bridge to Health, and we are based in Uxbridge, West London.
The need for regular exercise is well publicised, government recommendations set weekly requirements at a minimum of three, thirty minute sessions. These guidelines are designed to maintain a basic level of health, but not to improve your level of fitness.
What are some key goals for exercise?
Not to mention the number of possible personal reasons and goals that an individual might have that motivates them to exercise, this could continue into a very long list.
As our lifestyles have evolved, so too has the way we use our bodies. In the past most people were active throughout the day so the notion of ‘exercise’ was redundant. As time has progressed and the majority of workers have moved into the office, the need for conscious exercise to promote good health has increased, thereby prompting the increasing popularity of gyms and health clubs. One of the problems here is the type of routines that gym goers perform. As an example, after a day behind the desk, people rush down to the gym in time for their 45 minute spinning class and ‘blast’ away at full pelt, then straight home for a nice evening in front of the television. The problem here is the contrast from nothing to full power and back again in a short space of time. Although this has benefits for cardiovascular health and is preferable to no exercise, this approach puts a lot of stress on the body and can lead to an increased risk of injury or illness. Our bodies are better designed for ongoing exercise – e.g. roaming the plains all day hunting woolly mammoth! Fortunately the world has moved on from here.
A key parameter in exercise is achieving a balance between the various exercise goals. As such, the exercise routine should incorporate as many factors in the above list as possible; all too often a routine will lean in favour of one area, neglecting others. For example a body builder may focus on muscle size and aesthetics, not giving sufficient focus to cardiovascular strength, flexibility, and muscle resilience.
So what exercises take a wide account of this list and are well-rounded enough to give complete health benefits?
One of the greatest exercises for health is an easy one to perform, although neglected by most: walking. It may not test the cardiovascular system as greatly as more intense activity, but a prolonged walk (30 minutes to an hour) every day / other day over varying terrain, and at a pace that leaves you slightly breathless, will lead to a boost in vitality by oxygenating the body, improving circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid; in the right conditions, it is also great therapy for the mind.
Swimming is another exercise which is fantastic for the cardiovascular system as well as working all the major muscle groups of the body. It has the added benefit of not involving weight-bearing, which is very helpful if you are over-weight, recovering from an injury or suffering from lower limb osteoarthritis.
Tai chi, yoga and pilates are great for building flexibility, core body strength and control whilst also focusing on mental balance as well. They also provide the benefits of group practice at fixed moments in the week, which may help to maintain the commitment to, and enjoyment of, exercise.
On a personal note I’d like to highlight a favourite activity of mine. Rock Climbing is passion of mine and I’d like to use it as an example of a well rounded, health-promoting activity. It provides fantastic functional strength training for the complete muscular system as well as taxing the cardiovascular system in a moderate way. However for me, it is a meditation, whilst spending time in some of the beautiful climbing locations this country has to offer, it uses the mind in a way no other exercise can. It is a constant game of puzzle solving, how do I ‘crack’ this route? As well as dealing with fears and natural reservations which are inbuilt for good reason. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it certainly gets you out of the gym.
In short, when planning your exercise routine, think about how it will work on all aspects of your physical health, and how it may enhance your mental outlook as well; favour activity outdoors because of the obvious benefit of fresh air to body vitality (yes, even in a park in the middle of London!), and at all times, be aware of your posture when exercising to avoid unnecessary strains.
I never thought I would be excited about receiving the new Yellow Pages directory but Marcus and I have been waiting eleven months for the latest edition to see our advert… Finally, this has been addressed and look for us in the new September 2009 edition when it lands on your doormat!
Obviously, not everyone who decides to visit their friendly, local osteopath is going to turn to their computer and google “osteopath uxbridge” or “osteopath Hillingdon” etc.
It is a little nerve racking too – advertising is expensive and have we got the message in our advert right? We are also assuming that patients will know they are looking for an osteopath.
How do you look for local services such as an osteopath, healthcare practitioner or “back doctor”? Which do you prefer – the Thomson directory or Yellow Pages? Or google (or yell.com)? Let us know by posting a comment below.
As many of our patients prepare to fly off on holiday for a well-earned rest, the time seems right to publish a few handy tips to stay in good shape in spite of those flights. Our observation is that even those frequent air travellers amongst our patients seldom apply them!
The fact is that flying, especially long-haul, is a hazardous health pursuit! The atmosphere in the cabin is very dehydrated, the seat cramped, and the food not always the healthiest. However, you can counter these environmental effects by taking the following steps before and during your flight:
We hope we don’t come over as real kill-joys, and that applying these tips help you enjoy your holiday all the more. Have a safe flight, and a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.
Below are extracts from our July newsletter. If you would like to sign up (it’s free) for a monthly update including:
Click here to sign up to the Bridge to Health Newsletter.
Looking after your health in the workplace
Here in Uxbridge, we are surrounded by many large corporations. As a result we see a lot of workplace induced injuries.
Our corporate health program aims to prevent working days lost through musculoskeletal injury. We promote this in three ways:
To find out more about these services and to see if your company is entitled to a discount, contact the clinic directly.
Special Offer: Full Body MOT
Our monthly special offer helps you in your quest for good health. This month, we are offering a full health check to make sure you enjoy your summer to the full, especially if you are leaving on holiday. All too often our underlying weaknesses realise themselves when we are away. This happens for a number of reasons and finding medical help abroad can be a stressful process (take it from someone who suffered a serious spinal injury less than a year ago whilst 12,000 miles from home).
This is a complete health check to ensure your body is ‘firing on all cylinders!’. Your session includes:
This one hour session will then include appropriate advice on lifestyle and injury prevention tips, plus relevant osteopathic treatment to ensure your body is working well and prevent risk of future dysfunction or injury.
This month, only £45 for the session.
You can also combine this with a full nutrition assessment and personalised diet plan for £90.
Marcus & Mathieu
Bridge to Health
Several of our patients are being treated for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI for short) – most frequently tennis elbow and achilles tendonitis – and other patients often ask us about what lies behind RSI. Today’s post aims to provide some basic answers to these queries.
What is Repetitive Strain Injury?
Repetitive Stain Injury is an “umbrella diagnosis” that accounts for a wide range of musculoskeletal pain disorders as a result of overuse of the body. This is most often experienced in the arm due to occupational strain.
(Musculoskeletal = bones / muscles / tendons)
The pain is usually a sharp stabbing pain which initially comes on once the aggravating cause has ceased, however this may then go on to flair-up more often. There are many conditions that fall under this term such as Tennis elbow, Carpal tunnel, Thoracic outlet syndrome, Tendonitis and many more.
What is the cause?
When a movement or action is repeated over and over, the tissues of the body become overused and begin to break down. This leads to a build-up of inflammation as the body tries to repair the damage. Typical triggers are sporting injuries where an action is constantly repeated, for example running, swimming, serving a tennis ball can all trigger these conditions. Also, hobbies such as playing the guitar, fly-fishing, you name it! However, the most common cause of RSI in the modern age is overuse due to occupational strain and the biggest culprit of all is the computer keyboard – especially laptop computers.
How to fix/cure RSI
The most important element of the healing process is rest to allow the body to heal the tissue; however the dilemma faced by most patients is how to recover from an injury such as this when the causative factor is the one which puts food on the table. Other treatment methods are cryotherapy (using ice/cold water to help heal sprains) to reduce the inflammation and manual therapy such as osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture.
Others methods involve applying a joint splint or forearm compression bandages to alleviate the pressure on the muscle insertion point.
How can I prevent Repetitive Strain Injury?
For many office-bound people, inevitably the bulk of the day is spent on a laptop but this needn’t be a guarantee that you will be affected by RSI.
If you have the symptons of RSI, don’t put off doing something about it. Bridge to Health Osteopathic Healthcare is based in Uxbridge, West London where we specialise in workplace based musculoskeletal complaints – visit our website at www.bridgetohealth.co.uk.
Below are extracts from our June newsletter. If you would like to sign up (it’s free) for a monthly update including:
Click here to sign up to the Bridge to Health Newsletter
Extended Opening Hours
Fitting in a treatment around a busy work schedule can be tricky, with that in mind we are now offering treatments from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 2pm on Saturdays.
Our New Osteopath (in the making)
Congratulations to Mathieu who has recently had a new addition to his family.
Elizabeth was born on Saturday May 3rd, which takes his clan to four.
Special Offer – Deep Tissue Massage
This month we are offering a significant reduction on Sports Massage therapy.Buy 3 sessions get 1 free
This is a great way to help prepare or recover for a sporting event, release tension from the muscles of the body, or simply aid relaxation by reducing stress and tension. Contact the clinic to book your first session.
One of the oldest, cheapest and most powerful remedies available to man is widely forgotten or misused today – we are referring here to hot and cold water, and treatments known as hydrotherapy.
As holistic osteopaths, we routinely prescribe hydrotherapy to support musculoskeletal treatment (treatment working on muscles and the skeleton): well used, water has a unique ability to stimulate the body’s tissues and healing mechanism.
At a very basic level, hot water attracts blood to the area to which it is applied, cold water draws blood away from the area.
A common misconception is the use of a hot bath or hot water bottle to calm an acute backache or joint sprain – whilst it may provide immediate relief, you will feel much worse shortly after, as the hot water draws more blood to already inflamed and congested tissues.
It is important to use hydrotherapy in a specific and reasoned manner – a few helpful examples include:
Routine contrast (hot/cold) showers are an excellent form of whole-body revitalisation treatment. For the brave, whole body dry frictions, followed by a cold shower or bath, form a powerful routine treatment to boost the immune system. However, they must be avoided in the case of people whose immunity is already weak or run down.
A final thought for migraines, which are thought to be caused by excessive blood vessel constriction, followed by rebound dilation causing the migraine through increased cranial pressure. At this point, distraction hydrotherapy – using a hot water footbath combined with a cold head compress – can have a powerful effect in drawing blood away from the cranium, and thus reducing or shortening migraine symptoms.
