Friday 29 June 2012

Natural Pain Relief

Dealing with pain when it hits is something we all want to deal with quickly and effectively.  however, we do not always want to use 'artificial' methods of pain relief and more than ever today we look for different types of natural pain relief.

I have always looked to complementary therapies to help my health and have found some of these to be invaluable for me.  In particular I find that Reflexology is so good for many different complaints that as far as I am concerned it is a totally under rated therapy and should be used far more than it is.

One of the best uses for Reflexology for me is in first aid situations with things like headaches and anxiety attacks and the beauty of using Reflexology is that you can use the hands or feet and in using the hands no one actually has any idea what you are doing.  It can be so very discreet and yet so very effective.

This is a video we found on Youtube that is excellent at showing you how to use reflexology in a headache situation - just watch it and see what we mean.





My Reflexologist recommends that really to get the best out of the treatment it should be done on a regular basis and this means that the body is kept in a permanent state of balance and harmony and because of this there is a much lower chance of problems occurring.  The better we look after ourselves in health the less likely we are to suffer health problems in the future.

What she also recommends is having a good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and clean water to drink, plenty of fresh air and exercise and taking an active interest in our structural well being.

By this I mean posture and this means making sure we are standing straight, making sure our furniture supports us properly and making sure we sleep in a good supportive bed that allows us to rest as we should every night.  There is a good site over at www.lookafteryourspine.com that explains very well why we should take more care when choosing our beds.

Taking care of our health should be a high priority and should be ongoing even when we feel we are in tip top health - this way it becomes more difficult to fall ill when we are in the best of health.

Thursday 28 June 2012

Adjustable Mattresses

If you have been taking any notice at all to my previous posts then you will understand that I am rather passionate about the virtues of the electric adjustable bed.

You will know that I think that it should be law that we all get one and maybe if we did there would be far less back pain and back problems and injuries and therefore far less valuable time lost to sick days and the like.

So, today I thought I would tackle the subject of the adjustable bed mattress because as you get a choice it can sometimes be confusing as you are not sure which one to choose and why to choose it so here we go....

  • Memory foam adjustable mattress - Memory foam is exactly what it says it is in that it moulds to your body shape - whereas, a sprung mattress just stays flat.  The foam is not a good place for bed bugs and the like to be able to flourish and the open foam structure allows circulation of air so you do not overheat whilst in bed.  Memory foam is excellent for use with an adjustable bed frame.

  • Pocket sprung mattress - Unlike the traditional sprung mattress the pocket sprung one has got hundreds of individual springs each in its own fabric pocket.  These all work individually not as a whole as as such a pocket sprung mattress works well with an electric adjustable bed frame.  If you are used to rolling into your partner on a night then think again as this is not going to happen with a pocket sprung mattress.

  • Latex mattresses - As the name suggests these are made from 'natural' latex.  Latex is excellent as a mattress at it naturally adjusts to the body shape and pressure therefore giving a high level of comfort and support.  Latex is naturally resistant to bacteria, fungi and moulds.  You need to be sure that the 'latex' mattress you buy is 100% 'natural' latex.

  • Combination mattresses where the mattress may be latex but it may also have a topper of memory foam or reflex foam are also available.
Whichever mattress you choose to invest in for your adjustable beds you can be assured that they will give you far more support than a traditional 'sprung' mattress that you more than likely already have on your 'flat' bed.  An adjustable bed is exactly what the Dr ordered to help to keep you and your body in tip top condition for many years to come.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Treating Back Pain Naturally

Just the thought of the words 'back pain' is enough to make many people shudder and quake.
Those of us who have been unfortunate enough to experience back pain in all it's different intensities and places know just how debilitating back pain can be.

In fact this alone is responsible for millions of lost work days every year which must amount to millions of $$ or ££ lost revenue from the economy.

So, what can we all do to help to minimise the risk of getting any back problems in the future and or course to help to deal with any current back problems that we may already have?

Well, if we have got a painful problem the first thing we tend to do is to reach for the painkillers and we usually do this with an enormous amount of gratitude for the fact that they exist.  We might need a trip to the Dr or the Physiotherapist, Osteopath or Chiropractor and we may need to take time off work.  We do our exercises religiously to make sure of a speedy recovery or at least to expedite the removal of back pain and then once we fell better then exercises often fall by the way side until next time.

However, what we also need to consider is some form of preventative strategies to help problems from even starting in the first place.  Think of these as keeping the body well maintained in a healthy state.
  • Regular back massage will not only keep your muscles tension and knot free but it is also invaluable 'me time' away from the stresses and strains of life
  • Other therapies such as Reflexology, Reiki, Aromatherapy are all great for keeping your body and soul in tip top order
  • Warm up correctly before exercising and make sure you get plenty of regular exercise
  • Eat well and regularly.  Good healthy food.
  • Check out your furniture and in particular your bed.  Electric adjustable beds are the best and most supportive beds you can buy and they need not cost the earth in 2012.  Make sure that you get a good  nights sleep every night so that you feel rested next day and also so that your body can get all the time it needs to do it's repair and regeneration.
Looking after your back need not require any extra effort on your behalf - just an awareness.  Your body will reward you for this a million times over if you just keep mindful of how you are treating it and looking after it.  Do not wait until there is a crisis treat it like gold now.


Tuesday 26 June 2012

Why An Electric Bed?

So... How well did you sleep last night?

Did you sleep right through like a new born babe?
Or....
Did you struggle to drop off and wake feeling groggy today?
Or....
Did you drop off quite quickly and wake rather too early?

So, do you feel rested this morning?

We get to spend approximately one third of our lives in bed - yes one third!
One third of our lives on the same piece of furniture that we usually choose with the same amount of consideration as buying the cat a new bed.
The one third of our time where we are at our most vulnerable, most trusting, and where our bodies need to most help and support and comfort.

We sleep and we heal and we rejuvenate and we should wake feeling refreshed, happy and healthy.

But, how many of us wake feeling great?

Not many!

So what can be done?

Well think about it.......

Most people sleep in a flat bed albeit it maybe has got an 'orthopaedic mattress' but nevertheless the bed is flat.
We struggle to get ourselves comfortable for sleep and prop ourselves up with pillows and props then spend some of the next 8 hours wriggling around moving position trying to get and stay comfy.

We wake once we have been sleeping often because we need to change position or maybe we ache?
Then, it's time to get up and the alarm sounds like a fire claxon!!!!!!!!

Agggh ... we feel like we have been in the ring with Mike Tyson and come off very badly.

Most sleep disturbance is comfort related (or even worse .... partner comfort related) and with the right sort of support and comfort it can be avoided completely.

This is why buying the 'right' sort of bed is so vitally important because it gives us the support we need and having this level of support gives us the quality and quantity of sleep that is essential for us to be fit well and in tip top health.

Electric adjustable beds are the ultimate in ideal sleep solutions.  An adjustable frame and mattress that gives the right level of support everytime to the head, neck, spine, hips and knees is just what the human body needs to make the conditions perfect for a perfect nights sleep every night.


Friday 22 June 2012

Ways To Stop Back Pain

Back pain truly can be one of the most painful and debilitating health issues we can face.  Just think about it you use your back/spine in just about everything that you do.
  • walking
  • running
  • moving
  • lifting ......
Your spine is at the centre of your body and its muscles are interconnected with all body parts as are the nerves that radiate out from the spinal cord.  If there is damage to just 1 muscle then the knock on effect is that many other muscles will also be out of alignment - it is a bit like a domino effect cascading through.

Those of use who have suffered with back pain at one time or another really will understand that the pain and lack of movement really can impact massively on your life.

So, the moral of this tale is to make sure that you keep your back in good health to start with and then the risk of doing damage is going to be minimised right from the start.

Keeping the spine supple with regular exercise is key to good spine health and yoga is a very good way to do this - see this article in the Huffington Post.  Any sort of exercise that keeps your strong and supple is good providing you do these correctly and using the correct posture as you do them.

Investing in good furniture that supports your spine correctly is also essential so take a good look at your bed and mattress - hint - our bodies are not flat so why sleep in a flat bed on a flat mattress?
Electric adjustable beds are the beds for the future as they give customised support in such a way that a normal bed could never achieve.  Having a good nights sleep every night means that the body can get on with what it is supposed to be doing as we sleep - repair and regeneration.

Having a good healthy diet and drinking plenty of clean clear water will make sure that your body has the correct nutrients to stay strong and healthy and of course the body needs the nutrients to repair any damage.

If you do injure your back then do not waste time before getting professional help from a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist, delays in seeking professional help can cost you dearly.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

A Trip To The Physio

For the last 16 months I have had a hip pain - nothing that makes me cry out but one of those insidious toothache type nagging pains that is always there lurking just under the surface.

My Dr gave me it a fancy name and some painkillers and off I went.  The next stop off point was the Podiatrist who gave me some very nice inserts for my shoes and off I went again.
Of course neither of these worked to any great degree :(  and I kind of lived with the pain for the next few months.

So, eventually (just last night) I visit the physio who agrees with the quacks diagnosis but not with the treatment regime.  You see a good physio has far more working knowledge of joints and muscles than the average GP and as they specialize in just sorting out aches and pains they are rather good at it.

I knew that the physio would spare me no mercy on the painometer and he did not - in fact the first time he 'hit the spot' I very nearly hit the roof.  Talk about a 'trigger point'!

He kept on at the spot for what seemed like forever but as the minutes clicked by the pain was less intense as the muscle gradually gave in to his pressure.  As I left his clinic just last night there was a marked improvement on the last 18 months of discomfort and pain.  There is no way I am not going to do my daily exercises now.

So, what else could I be doing to help this muscle to recover properly?
Well, not damaging it in the first place might be a good starting point I suppose :(
But as it is now a damage limitation exercise ...
Ahh well nature heals and I suppose that I have had it for long enough so a few more weeks should not hurt any more than it already does.  The moral of this particular tale I suppose is get it sorted right from the start.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Taking Responsibility For YOU

In the 21st century we have it easy, easier than ever before.

Now I can see you asking - 'What'?

Well just think about it ......

We feel ill so we go to the Dr, we get tooth ache we goto the Dentist......
In fact actually beginning to take responsibility for ourselves really is not the easiest option as we now have a culture of expecting others to pick up the pieces and sort our lives out for us.

However, if we do take back responsibility and commit to looking after ourselves better then we not only feel better physically but mentally too it makes us far stronger.

So, how can we start?

Well quite simply the best way is to commit to being healthier and we can do this in a number of ways.....
  • We can look at our diet and make the choice to eat more healthily, to cut down on rubbish and processed food.
  • We can do regular exercise and make this part of our routine
  • We can look at our bodies and see which parts maybe need a little bit of help to become strong and functioning again.
Being a therapist I have a huge interest in this and as much as possible I recommend to my clients that they look after themselves better.

One of the major problems I deal with on a daily basis is the fact that people do not look after their physical body and they come to visit my clinic expecting us to do miracles for them instead of them having looked after themselves properly.

I get to see literally hundreds of people every year who suffer with back pain and yet there is so much that they could have done to stop it becoming as bad as it does.

One of the main things we recommend is getting a really good supportive bed - just think about it we get to spend approx. one third of our lives in bed and yet how many of us treat the bed purchase as the most important piece of furniture we buy?

So, here is what we recommend
  • Adjustable beds are going to be the most supportive beds money can buy because they will give tailor made support to the 5 key areas that need extra support whilst lying down.  These are the head, neck, hips, knees and spine
  • An adjustable bed will make getting into and out of bed far easier as the back can be raised up to give good support
  • Adjustable beds are great for anyone with arthritis, aches and pains, hiatus hernia and gastric reflex, snoring, asthma .... I could go on for pages with this
  • Adjustable beds need not be wildly expensive either as there are online companies who do not have the huge overheads of needing a showroom and staff and therefore cost savings are passed directly to the customer - take a look at the Electric Bed Co 
Adjustable beds are not a luxury item in terms of cost but in terms of comfort and support they truly are one of the most luxurious pieces of furniture you can ever invest in.

Friday 15 June 2012

Do You Care For Your Back?

Well do you?

Or, are you one of the millions of people who gives little regard to their back until ........ one day you injure it and then you are in so much pain you would do almost anything to put it right?

Well, if this is you then you are in the majority as most people take their spine and back totally for granted.  They do not get regular massage to ensure that the muscles are kept as knot free and mobile as possible, they do not sit in ergonomically designed chairs, they do not watch their posture and they do not watch how the lift and haul heavy objects around.  And ..... even worse the bed they sleep in is
an unsupportive 'flat' bed - just like the majority of people sleep in.

So, I have got a question for you???

Is your body 'flat' or does it have curves?

Too right it has curves!

So ........... why sleep a curved body on a flat bed (even though it might have a mattress with some padding to help to compensate for this)?

The human body needs support particularly when we are lying down and the natural curves of the head, neck, spine, hips and knees all need extra support and ...... (this is the important bit) they all need different support!

So..............why sleep a curved body on a flat bed?

Now an electric adjustable bed does just that and it does it in these 5 key areas and does it in such a way that anyone can get comfy by setting what must be an unlimited number of combinations of settings.

So just for instance say you suffer from leg oedema and need your legs raising up - you can raise them as much or as little as you need.  Say you suffer from a Hiatus Hernia or get Gastric Reflux well simply raise the head of the bed and chest area.

Say you want to sit relaxing in bed to watch a movie or read a book (we all know what it is like propping yourself up with pillows) - simply set the bed to suit you and you will be perfectly comfortable for hours......

Here in the UK we have got plenty of adjustable bed companies and one of the biggest is here at Oakdale Beds

Thursday 14 June 2012

Getting A Good Nights Sleep

Come on now let's have a poll and see just how many people really do have a great nights sleep - Do you?

hard bed
The majority of people really do not sleep well at all, they toss and turn, they fail to get comfy, they are kept awake by partners snoring etc. etc.  Then they wake up next morning feeling like they have done 2 rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson - Aggghh!

I always tell my massage and reflexology clients that in order for the human body to do all the repair and regeneration it needs to do you need to get quality sleep 6 nights out of 7.

So why do we suffer from 'bad sleepitis'?

Well, one of the main reasons is based on the type of bed that most people sleep in - a 'normal' flat bed.  You see a traditional mattress being flat does not give the 'curvy' body the support it needs in the places it needs it.  Whereas an adjustable bed with an adjustable mattress does just that - it adjusts.

Adjustable beds adjust in the 5 major areas that need extra support - the head, neck, back, hips and knees.  This means that the beds settings are tailor made to that person on that particular day to ensure the correct support.  These beds are so good for a number of health related conditions as they not only get you comfy in bed but being adjustable they also mean it is much easier to get into and out of bed.  If you suffer from arthritis or any mobility problems this is a great help and of course for the elderly it can mean that they retain independence and dignity for longer.

Adjustable beds are also great for people who need some elevation in bed such as those who maybe have oedema of the legs or maybe even suffer from gastric reflux or have a hiatus hernia - they can be elevated at which ever end of the body they need.

Take a look at the video here to get some idea of how comfortable an adjustable bed can be and next time you are tossing and turning trying to get comfy just consider how good an adjustable bed could be.




Wednesday 13 June 2012

Taking Time For Yourself

Having been a therapist for over 17 years it often occurs to me to wonder why other therapists take so little care of themselves yet on the other hand they expect so much of their clients.

back pain
Case in point - a really close friend of mine who is also a therapist has had a back problem for months and months and did nothing about it - can you believe it?  Only when the pain started to get really unbearable did she decide to take action and as it had got so bad this had to be massive action.  She had a first treatment and boy she suffered for days, she had a second and it started to ease up a wee bit.  To be honest it is only after the 5th treatment that she is starting to feel any real benefit and progress.

The moral of the tale here is if you are in a position where you make recommendations to others than make damn sure that you practice all you preach.  If you do not then it kind of makes you not only look rather silly but it also makes you a hypocrite.

It really does not matter what treatment you opt to have as long as it works well for you and is appropriate to your problem.  So for instance if you have got painful back muscles then oil massage may be just what the Dr ordered, if you have got persistent IBS or recurrent Migraine then Reflexology might just fit the bill.  If I have got a client who finds it difficult to commit to one particular treatment then I make them do some homework before they come along and I find that Youtube has got some excellent videos to 'show you what' - here is a great on one Reflexology that I often use.


I also find that there are some really excellent websites that have some very good information to help clients - the more they can find out about their problems the more empowered they become so sites such as The Huffington Post, Wiki, About.com are really good sources of quality information.
I love to use this particular article too as it explains just why it is important to get regular massage and it helps to get them into the mindset of this too.   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/is-it-healthy-to-get-mass_b_1585522.html