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Muscle and Joint Pain Problems!

30 September 2009

Muscle and joint pain - musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) - account for almost half of all sick leave, both in the UK and across Europe, a study has found.

No less than 49% of all sickness absence is caused by MSDs, said the Fit for Work Europe report by the Work Foundation business consultancy group.

MSDs include back pain, arthritis and repetitive strain injuries.

The report says an estimated one million people in the UK alone suffer from MSDs that cause them to take time off work, with 9.5 million working days lost each year.

It warns that both these numbers are set to rise as a result of an ageing workforce, the growth in obesity and the general decline in physical activity.

The study calls for a renewed effort across Europe to tackle MSDs, led by an increase in early detection.

Now am I stating the obvious here but shouldn’t there be an education programme in place that tells people that there is more they can do than take painkillers and time off work. From our experience people who get early diagnosis and appropriate treatment make a much better recovery.


Whats the point of Beetroot?

07 August 2009

What is the thing with Beetroot. Never liked it, never will. And those who read our blog will know we are not to keen on Carrots either!

But, it seems we have it wrong. The University of Exeter have found that Beetroot juice contains a nitrate that leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake and makes exercise less tiring. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that the effect is greater than that which can be achieved by regular exercise.

Its only a small study but the University of Bedford and the University of San Diego also support the findings.

Now call me an old cynic but now we will have hordes of people thinking that gallons of Beetroot juice will give them the body of Linford Christie and the stamina of Paula Radcliffe. Happily, Professor John Brewer adds some sanity to the matter when he says "we must remember that exercise and training and a sensible diet will always remain as the sensible ingredients of a healthy and balanced lifestyle"

Right, I'm off to start my Beetroot pressing business!


Do you check your nuts?

18 July 2009

John Hartson is a very familiar name if you follow football. He hit the headlines throughout his career with Arsenal and Celtic and many other clubs. Sadly, this week, he hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Initially diagnosed with testicular cancer, the cancer then spread to his brain and has since spread to his lungs. He had surgery earlier this week on his brain to relieve the pressure. This will now allow him to have ongoing treatment.

The stunning fact that has emerged since John's story hit the press is that 99% of testicular cancer could be cured if it was detected early enough. However 1 in 5 men in the UK, or 2.7 million men, never check their testicles for lumps! I guess men just don't do that sort of thing! Apparently 16 - 44 is the vulnerable age group. Apparently 50% of the men questioned in this survey didn't know it was the most common type of cancer amongst men of this age group. 5% didn't know that a lump or swelling might indicate  a cancerous lump! This amazing piece of research was carried out by Screwfix! They have started a campaign to raise awareness of testicular cancer.

The slogan is "CHECK YOUR NUTS!" Go on, you know it makes sense!


Facebook

10 July 2009

We are now on Facebook, get to know us at Therapist Insurance and follow Therapist Insurance on the most popular social network on the web.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Therapist-Insurance/119063960780


Smell In the Changing Rooms

06 July 2009

Anyone who has football, or come to think of it, any sport will know what I mean when I say "that smell in the changing room" Ralgex, linament, rub or deep heat. Call it what you will but it will be there. It part of the game. Even the pro's use it.

Well wait for the stunning news. Research by Cochrane suggests that they..................don't work!

However, don't panic because they were only tested on people with pain from conditions such as arthritis. Dr Andrew Moore of Oxford University said " When it comes to rubs they do not work well enough to take any notice of them"

So the news is if you have pain from an arthritic condition rubs probably don't work for you. However, what the researchers should look at is do they work for pumped up sports people who are about to compete. It's part of the adrenalin rush you get when competing in sport. Having worked in both Rugby and Football changing rooms, believe me, the whole place is not complete withoutn the smell of rubs. And as for the tricks you can play with them..............well thats another matter!


Believe what you read?

04 July 2009

This week there was a widely published article entitled "Four Pints Increase Health Risk". This featured on the BBC Website, The Nursing Times, The Daily Star and most National and certainly some local newspapers.

Basically it was a study of over 5,000 Scottish gentlemen and their drinking habits by Glasgow and Bristol Universities. Now I should add that I have not yet seen the original piece of research but that is not the crux of this rant. Basically the article said that anyone who drank four pints a week was more likely to end up in hospital for a longer period during their lifetime. As your alcohol intake increased so did the likely length of stay in hospital.

My moan is that all the articles basically said was that if you drink four pints a week you are in trouble. Their was no mention of any other factors. So could it be that the men who drank more also did no exercise, had a poor diet, had other health problems, came from a lower socio-economic group (yes this can affect your health outlook!) and were unaware of the health risks. Yes I know it doesn't make as good a story but sometimes I wish the media would give the public a little more credit. I am now off to read the original research article. I will report back!

I will also add that there is an alcohol problem in this country which slowly people are starting to address. I am not excusing excessive alcohol intake. I am just asking for fairer and better coverage.


Plant and Play

28 June 2009

I was stunned when  I heard this fact! Is it true? Between the ages of 5-10 one in ten boys and one in eighteen girls has been diagnosed with Mental Health Disorders. More than 40,000 children now use anti-depressants!

Are you as stunned as me? However, it has now been found that kids who play in a "natural environment"  show significant behavioural improvements. I can't believe that this justified coverage in a Sunday National Newspaper. Maybe it's me being old fashioned but I thought it was obvious? There is nothing wrong with sitting in front of the PC/PSP/Wii/XBox/PS3 for a while but get them out in the open. Research shows that getting your kids growing plants/veg is the best way to let them experience nature.

I am now going to try to covince the wife to let me start a veg patch or possibly get some chickens.


Rolfing

23 June 2009

When I started training, 25 years ago, Pilates and Rolfing were fringe therapies mentioned briefly but never discussed. Pilates has gone onto dizzy heights! What about Rolfing I ask. This morning driving into work I heard it metioned on Radio 5. Nicky Campbell broke into a Rolf Harris impersonation. Oh how we laughed! I have a patient who swears by Rolfing and travels half the length of the country for a session.

So what is Rolfing? Here is a brief lesson. Forgive me if I get this wrong! It is a hands on technique which works on the fascia, connective tissue, bones, nerves and organs of the body. A rolfing practitioner works on the fascia to realign the whole body.  It works not only with structure but also with an individuals unconscious habits of movement, suppressed emotions and blocked energy. So, a rolfing session is a very holistic experience.

For more information you can visit http://www.rolfing.org/

Remember, never dismiss any therapy! The moment you do you start making mistakes!

One Rolfer I met told me you could work on jaw pain by treating someones foot and vice versa!


Prostate or Prostrate?

20 June 2009

Never mind how it's spelt, most men don't even know where it is! Until you come at them with the rubber gloves they haven't got a clue!

And men certainly don't talk about things like this, do they? Yet it is the most common cancer amongst men. It acoounts for 24% of all new cancers amongst men and there has been a sharp increase in the incidence of prostate cancer in recent years. According to a friend of mine who has devoted the last few years to trying to raise awareness of the cancer amongst men, anyone over the age of 40 should consider having a blood test. Whilst not wholly accurate, they are probably the best thing around at the moment to help detect it.

Anyway two new articles recently published suggest that their are ways of slowing down the onset of Prostate Cancer. The first is Green Tea! Yes Green Tea! Apparently a chemical contained in the Tea can slow down the onset. Green Tea has also been found to affect Alzheimers and Heart Disease. Have a look for yourself:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8108831.stm

The second study by the Mayo Clinic in America found "startling" results on Prostate tumours by the drug Ipilimumab. The results were so encouraging they are going to carry out further and more extensive research.

This is the link for the Mayo article:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8110103.stm

Anyway, the reason for this blog is that you can only slow the onset down IF you know that you have got it. If you see an evening promoted by you where you can get a free blood test for Prostate Cancer go along. Firstly, it's better to be safe than sorry and secondly it's probably arranged by my pal! Remember to put some money in the bucket at the end! You could always go and ask your GP!


Carrots!

17 June 2009

Oh no! The news that half the nation dreaded! Carrots are actually good for you. Not chopped carots, or mashed, or grated. No, its whole carrots!

A study by Newcastle University has discovered that a chemical in carrots, falcarinol, make prevent the development of cancerous tumors. They found that if you cooked carrots without chopping them, they contained 25% more falcarinol.

Put that together with the fact that rats who were fed on a diet containing carrots or Falcarinol were 33% less likely to develop cancer and it appears we have some good news. The university also found that the carrots tasted better!

However, Cancer Research UK remains unconvinced. They say a good, balanced, healthy diet is more important than concentrating on one type of food.

Right then, thats carrots for tumors and tomatoes for my prostate! Great for health but not good for my social life!

Have a good and healthy day!


Christine Laird Case

15 June 2009

If you aren't aware of the Christine Laird case, then you should be. Whatever type of therapist you are you will experienece mental health problems and their implications.

In a nutshell Christine Laird was appointed to Cheltenham Borough Council as Chief Executive in 2002. She did not disclose that she had a history of depression and anxiety. After her appointment control of the council changed from Conservative to Lib Dems. Things went wrong for Christine and due to the pressures of work she took extended leave. In 2005 she resigned. She went on to spend 3 months in a Psychiatric hospital and had a nervous breakdown. She is now permanently disabled.

The council sued her for £1 million saying this is what the appointment cost them. Judges ruled against them.

Please click on this link to read the article in more detail http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/15/council-loses-dismissal-case-depression

I heard some great and emotive arguments for and against Christine Laird on the radio today. When she was asked do you enjoy good health on her application she answered "yes". When asked do you have a mental impairment? she answered no.

Please read the case and absorb. As a good therapist this is the sort of thing that should get you going!

You can respond to this blog. Feel free to do so.


Anatomy Test

13 June 2009

Research by Kings College London has shown that 50% of Britons don't know where their heart is. The college questioned 722 adults. "These results are staggering. And whats worse is that things have not improved over the last 40 years" exclaimed a college spokesperson.

47% identified the heart, 31% the lungs, 81% the bladder and 86% the intestines.

They also found that patients with problems with certain organs , who were taking medication, did not know where the organs were. Researchers are calling for doctors and government to make the public better acquainted with human anatomy.

Can I just take this opportunity to crack the obvious joke… surely we all know where the heart is? It's at home! There that feels better!

Click here to check out the article.


American College of Sports Medicine

11 June 2009

We at Therapist Insurance just love the ACSM. Their publications are fresh, relevant and interesting. One of their latest pieces of research suggests that interactive video games helps meet exercise recommmendations.

Apparently Wii Boxing helped raise the heart rate and VO2 levels enough to classify as moderate intensity exercise. For the older age groups Wii bowling increased heart rate in participants, boosted mood and helped them feel refreshed and energised.

Now remember that this was carried out with American participants and may not relate to the rest of the world. However, I am going to guess that it does. I cannot believe they have not mentioned Mario Olympics in this. If you want a workout try either the 100 metres, the rowing or the 4 x 100 metre relay!


Helping with Pregnancy

09 June 2009

Did you know that one of the most common complaints during pregnancy is indigestion? No neither did I. This can involve heartburn, pain or discomfort, regurgitation, belching and bloating. These get worse as the pregnancy progresses.

Well, fear not! Research from Sao Paulo University in suggests that significant improvements were found in those women treated with Acupuncture.

Heartburn fell by 50% in 15 out of 20 subjects. 75% of the group reported an improvement in eating and 70% reported an improvement in sleeping habits.

The group only consisted of 36 members. Whilst a small group the University suggested that the results were good enough to encourage further research with a larger group.


Personal Trainers

08 June 2009

Well here we are, just about one month from the Summer Holidays. It's about now when we all start panicing about our shape. Ansd the answer is… a Personal Trainer! But what should we look for in the person who is going to reshape us? Try these 6 questions courtesy of Therapist Insurance.

  1. Do they practice what they preach? If they don't do it why should you?
  2. What experience do they have? 2 months or 2 years. However, remember, just because they are newly qualified don't dismiss them. They will be very enthusiastic and keen to please.
  3. Do they have an area of expertise that suits you? A body building guru might not suit you if Cardio Vascular fitness is what you are after.
  4. Check out their success stories. Ask them for phone numbers of people they have trained.
  5. How long will it take to achieve your aims? Get an idea of time and this will help you work out cost.
  6. What qualifications do they have? Who did they train with? Do they have Personal Training qualifications and more importantly insurance.

We don't guarantee that you will get the best Personal Trainer but it's a start! If all else fails you could get yourself a Wii fit.


Customer Feedback

07 June 2009

Here's what one of our customers has to say about our new website:-

"Hi, just wanted to say awesome website. Helped me find exactly what i was looking for and at a great price. Keep up the good work. Regards Lucy"


Health Scares

03 June 2009

Interesting article in the Independent Online Yesterday entitled "Health Scares: A Dose of Common Sense" Lots of statistics and facts about the Pill and DVT risks, Alcohol and Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer< survival rates in the USA/GB, Swine flu statistics and the link beyween MMR and Autism.

Their view is always read the small print and that someone will always put a spin on the story. The problem is do you believe the article or are they putting a spin on it as well? However, it does make an interesesting read. Click on the Independent Online above to view it. Have a good day from all at Therapist Insurance even though the weather doesn't look as good as yesterday.


Mixed Martial Arts

02 June 2009

Treated a young man today for a shoulder injury. How did he do it? MMA or Mixed Martial Arts. More popularly known as cage fighting. His opponent used Brazilian Jujitsu to obtain a "tap out". He wasn't quick enough with his tap! Hence the injury

As therapists where should we stand with the fighting arts? They know what they are getting into. Refereeing and medical standards are better than ever. This is a realtively new sport looking to gain credibility. However, having watched the "ground and pound " I do find myself wartching through my fingers with a macabre sense of curiosity. I have always admired the Pugislistic art form and those who participate. I guess not everyone will agree. As therapists surely our role is to help them recover and to point out the risks. Look out for UFC or Cage Fighting on your Sky Digi-box. Judge for yourself.


Beware Sun Lovers!

01 June 2009

Another gloriously sunny day. Did you make sure you applied your sun cream? Did you make sure the children did as well? Well bad news. According to an article in the Times today, the good people at Which have decided that alot of sun creams do not do what they claim on the tin. On top of this, if you don't use them correctly they won't work! Is your SPF (sun protection factor) high enough? Does it have UVA as well as UVB protection? Is it water proof, sweat proof, photo stable and is it rubbed in enough to be absorbed? To little and it won't work, to much and it blocks the production of disease fighting vitamin D. Confused? So are we.

More complicated than you thought? Stay in the shade, thats what we say!


Twitter

31 May 2009

We, like the rest of the world are now on Twitter! Not sure why but hey lets give it a try!

For news and updates visit:-

http://twitter.com/therapistinsur

Not as interesting as Stephen Fry but we will do our best!


Back Pain

31 May 2009

At last! NICE confirms what millions of therapists have known for years! NHS patients will now be offered a range of Complementary therapies including acupuncture, massage, manual therapy and exercise. Since when has exercise been complementary? Xrays, ultrasound and injections are no longer recommended. Well I suppose we should be grateful NICE have come out with this. However, if I am honest I have been telling my patients this for years. I am sure there are thousands of other therapists out there who are are collectively shouting… halleleujah!


Website Launch

28 May 2009

Today we have launched our brand new website, Therapist Insurance.

We have worked hard with DC Development Ltd to bring you the best website for finding appropriate business insurance for your Therapy business.

We hope you enjoy using the website and that you find it useful. Please visit the blog again, it will be updated regularly on topics which relate to the Therapy world.

Thank you.