Therapist Insurance Blog

Plant and Play

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

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?

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!