Living near an RAF base I get to see a lot of fast-jet pilots with stiff, sore necks and achey backs, the consequence of low-level sorties, 'dog-fighting', and pulling 'g'. Sadly, whilst I see a few 'mavericks', none of my patients quite resemble Tom Cruise (think long-johns, thermals, Snowdonia and rain not board-shorts, sunnies, Miramar and sun!). As patients go, the aircrew guys are perhaps some of the worst - late cancellations when a debrief over-runs, or postponing an appointment when the flying programme changes at the last minute. However, after watching this awesome film, all is forgiven! You can't help but feel enormously proud and patriotic. Thanks guys. Fly safe :) And, for those of you left wanting more, here's another one. Just to keep you smiling.
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I'm sometimes something of a procrastinator. I dither about making decisions, particularly those bigger ones that might have a lasting effect, either at home, or at the Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic. It's something that I'm sure we all do, but I found a brilliant little snippet that I'm trying to apply to all those unmade decisions: Ask yourself these three questions: 1. What's the best thing that could happen? 2. What's the worst thing that could happen? 3. What's the most likely thing to happen? If you can live with the worst thing that could happen, and the most likely thing to happen will help you to achieve the things that you want, then, decision made! Go for it. However, if the worst thing that could happen is totally unacceptable and the most likely thing to happen isn't going to help much, then again, decision made. Don't do it! So, for instance, with respect to the recent refurbishment of the Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic. What's the best thing that could happen? The clinic will be refurbished, quickly and on schedule, with minimal disruption, and will look amazing, be more inviting for patients and a nicer place to work in. What's the worst thing that could happen? The work will take ages and ages and maybe cause the clinic to be uninhabitable, in which case I'd have to find alternative premises. What's the most likely thing to happen? The work will over-run a little, be noisy, dusty and disruptive but we'll cope with it, and in the long run the clinic will benefit from the facelift. Whilst I wasn't actually the one that had to make the decision about the building work, I did ask myself these questions regularly over the past five months when I felt I couldn't put up with any more noise and dust! I'm pleased to report that the building work is now nearly finished, and the Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic is looking an awful lot better... Ever pulled a sicky? Wonder how many other people do? According to a recent study published by the Office of National Statistics it's quite a lot of us:
A patient of mine, nearing the end of her treatment and rehabilitation phase, asked what was the quickest and easiest way to get fit. I suggested running. Personally I find it time and cost effective. No expensive gym membership, pricey equipment or time wasted getting there - I can dash home, sling on my trainers (it's worth investing in a decent pair) and can complete a 5 mile run, do some toning exercises, stretch out, shower and change inside an hour. Ok, so I've been doing it for a bit - but an article I read the other day in Runner's World magazine (June 2012 edition) sang the praises of squeezing in even 15 minutes of exercise every other day. The article highlighted how just 15 minutes of exercise can be beneficial:
Here are a few easy ways to get started, even if you've never run before:
Obviously, running isn't for everyone, and sometimes our bodies limit what we can do. However, you can easily substitute intervals of fast walking/steady walking for the run/walk intervals, and will still see great results. Take it gently to start with, don't get too puffed out (you should still be able to talk!) and listen to any niggles that your body might have. If in doubt - just ask! I'm only a phone-call away... This video has to be one of the most inspirational things I've seen in a long time. It just goes to show what amazing things we can do - given a lot of hard work, focus, motivation and dedication. A veteran paratrooper, crippled with back and knee pain has been told that he'll never walk freely again. Then, with time, effort and a lot of hard work, he manages to turn things around... Click here to see this amazing transformation. Being a keen, (though somewhat weather dependent!) runner, I was grateful of the opportunity to spend a few minutes chatting with the members of Cybi Stryders yesterday evening. The Cybi Stryders are a friendly, Anglesey running club. Based in Holyhead, they meet twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. The mid-week meet is for a short 5-6 mile run, usually in Menai Bridge, Holyhead, Bodedern or Llangefni and they go for a longer run on Sunday mornings - Newborough Forest, The Stacks, Rhoscolyn and sometimes even Snowdonia. The club is made up of a friendly bunch of people with mixed ability - slow plodders to faster, more elite competitive runners. Some go along just for the opportunity to go running with a few, like-minded people, whereas others use the club in order to help them train for specific events (some of them are running the Anglesey Half Marathon next weekend). I went along just to say hello, and also to do a bit of promotion work for the Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic. Most people are well aware that chiropractors treat backs and necks, but there seems to be less understanding that most of us treat all sorts of problems with the other joints around the body. This includes common 'running' problems like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, 'runner's knee' and problems with the iliotibial band. Often these specific ailments are related to 'biomechanical' issues elsewhere in the body - problems with the mechanics and movement of the pelvis or low back can upset the way that the hips, knees, ankles and foot function (remember the song 'the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone...'!?). We chiropractors are trained to treat the whole 'chain' of events in addition to the specific, localised problem and are also able to give the essential rehabilitative advice that will help to speed recovery and prevent future injury. I enjoyed meeting the club members, and feel motivated to perhaps go along and join in with some of the runs. I'm always grateful of the opportunity to 'spread the word' about chiropractic, although as one of the members quite rightly pointed out, hopefully none of them will be needing to come along and see me in the clinic! What better way to spend a wet, windy weekend than catching up on paperwork? And that's precisely what I've been doing - wrapped up in a snuggly jumper and armed with a large mug of tea. People always wonder what I'm up to when I'm not in clinic seeing patients, easing their back ache, stiff neck and sore muscles. Much as I would dearly love to be at home, pottering about the garden, playing with Twiglet (our rabbit) or running on the beach, the job of being a chiropractor and running the Llangefni Chiropractic Clinic seems to be somewhat never ending! Or maybe I'm just inefficient, or perhaps a workaholic?! One of the more time consuming activities is letter-writing. I like to communicate with each and every patient's GP (with the patient's permission, of course), to ensure that the GP is kept up to date with their chiropractic care. Obviously, there are also occasions when patients will require referral on to another healthcare professional for a second opinion. This letter writing also helps to build inter-professional relationships, and maintain the profile of chiropractic within the wider medical world. In addition to this there is the work involved with my position on the British Chiropractic Association Council, and the 'business' side of running a chiropractic clinic. Then the ongoing reading to keep up with latest research findings and catching up with old colleagues to discuss useful techniques - or just to have a gossip! So, that's probably why I'm finally getting around to writing this blog at 11pm, at the end of a productive rainy day. And yes, I did make sure I got up regularly for a wriggle and had a couple of walks, between the showers, for a bit of fresh air and exercise! None of us are getting any younger. That's something that we really can't do anything about; we can't stop the clock, or even slow it down. However, we can do something about it. I love the saying 'use it or lose it' and when it comes down to the body, that really is the case. This year, 2012, marks the 'European Year for Active Ageing'; an initiative set up by the European Union to recognise the increasing ageing population, and to raise awareness of the contribution that the older generation makes to society. The European Year encourages 'active ageing' with emphasis placed on the maintenance of good health and wellbeing, and an active, independent lifestyle, fully integrated and incorporated into the wider society. In recognition of this initiative, and as part of Chiropractic Awareness Week (16th to 20th April), we chiropractors have done a bit of consumer research*, the results of which highlight the need for action and attention, whatever your age, shape or size:
However, despite our concerns, we can do something about it! Like a car, or any well-oiled machine, keep the body moving gently on a daily basis and it'll generally keep going for longer. Remaining active as we grow older is vital for our overall wellbeing and continued health, and a few simple steps can be taken to help preserve your back and posture for years to come:
Lunchbox, books, PE kit, favourite toy, homework file, left over sweets, forgotten letters from the teacher.... it's amazing all the junk that accumulates in a school bag. Just imagine what all that weight is doing to young backs! Up to 50% of kids have developed some form of back pain by the age of 14, says the National Back Pain Association. Its study also showed that 80% of children are carrying badly designed bags, or carrying them incorrectly - often slung over one shoulder which can distort the position of the upper back and shoulders, and cause the lower back and pelvis to twist. If your child has to lean forward while carrying their bag, or if the bag weighs more than 10 to 20% of their body weight, then it is too heavy for them and may cause problems, like back and neck pain, in the future. Follow this checklist to help reduce the risk of back pain in children:
The Easter weekend is a time to relax, unwind, catch up with friends and family or tackle those DIY projects around the house and garden. Whatever you're up to, just be careful! Avoid neck and back pain, or those general aches and pains by following a few simple tips... 'How does your garden grow...?'
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Ceri AnnEich Ceiropractydd yng Nghlinig Ceiropracteg Llangefnii Blogumulus by Roy Tanck and Amanda Fazani
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June 2020
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