Walking Tall in Guildford

The Monthly Newsletter from Back to Health Wellness Centres

April 2008

Contents

1. What’s new? –Insomnia workshop                    

2. Your health – Don’t let the weeds grow under your feet!

3. The world of health and wellness – Ice, Ice Baby…      

4.Clinic Specials – Children’s Checks & Workshops

5. Inspiration for your day – Helen Keller

What’s new?

   Improving and maintaining your health is our number one goal.  Throughout the spring and summer we have some great workshops coming up and special events for all the family.

   This month we have a guest speaker joining us for the monthly workshop.  Rebecca Johnson SDSHom BA (Hons), DPH, Lic,CThA Homeopath will be joining Natalie to discuss ways to get a good night’s sleep and banish insomnia.  Research suggests that over 7 million people in the UK suffer with insomnia at sometime.

Your Health

   Spring is almost here, and for most of us that means getting our hands dirty and working in our gardens.  Although it’s a relatively restful activity, if done improperly it can put stress and strain on our back and neck. The main cause of back pain when gardening is prolonged stretching and overuse of ligaments and joints in the spine. Try these tips to decrease the likelihood of injury this spring:

As with any physical activity, warm up first!  A short walk and some light stretching should get you prepared for what’s ahead

• Kneel on one leg rather than repeatedly from the hips
• Try to keep an arch in your back when digging, with legs well spaced apart
• Try and vary the tasks of the day
• Tense the stomach muscles to support the back, especially when initiating movement or standing in a prolonged awkward position
• Keep yourself warm and covered to prevent muscles from becoming chilled
• Use a cushion to kneel on or a gardening stool if you have knee problems; again try to maintain the arch in your back

   If you ache the next day, rest, and seek the advice of your chiropractor and we can advise you whether you should apply heat, ice, or seek further treatment.

The world of health and wellness

Ice versus Heat…not quite the rumble in the jungle but good to know!

   Ice Treatment; for acute injuries.  If you have recent injury (within the last 48 hours) where swelling is a problem, you should be using ice treatment.  Ice packs can help minimize swelling around the injury.  Decreasing swelling around an injury will help to control the pain.  Ice treatments may also be used for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries in athletes.  In this case, ice the injured area after activity to help control inflammation.  Never ice a chronic injury before injury.  It is also good to use ice after your first few weeks of starting care.

   Heat treatment; for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area.  Use heat treatments for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries, before participating in activities.  Do not use heat treatments after activity, and do not use heat after an acute injury.  Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel.  When using heat treatments, be very careful to use a moderate heat for a limited time to avoid burns.  Never leave heating pads or towels on for extended periods of time, or while sleeping.

Clinic Specials

1. Growing spines!

   Throughout April we’re encouraging all patients to bring their children to see Natalie for an annual spinal check.  Many of us don’t realise that stress from sitting in poorly designed chairs at school, slouching in front of the TV; text messaging and playing on the play station can have a big impact on the posture of children.  Most of the time a little advice can go along way so please feel welcome to bring your little ones in for a complimentary spinal check up during April.  Please see the team for details.

       2. Banish Insomnia

We will be holding our special health workshop on Wednesday 30^th April 6.30pm.  Natalie will be joined by our Guest Speaker Rebecca Johnson SDSHom BA (Hons), DPH, Lic,CThA Homeopath.  Insomnia affects more than 1 in 10 people in the UK, around 7 million of us!  There are a variety of causes of insomnia and to those who suffer it can be frustrating and stressful at best, depressing and debilitating at worst.

Our bodies require plenty of deep sleep to repair and heal. We need time to refresh and renew for each day to take on and adapt to the stresses that are around us all the time.  Your ability to fight disease, deal with emotional pressures and stay cool, calm and collected all stem from a good nights sleep. 

We have limited places available for this workshop so please register with us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

Inspiration for your day

   When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.            Helen Keller

A quick reminder…

   We’re here to help you get the very best Spinal Healthcare.  If you are unhappy with any aspect of your care please talk with us.  If you are happy then please tell others!  Your referral is the best compliment you could give us.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and vibrant day

Natalie, Elaine & Rosanna