Monday 19 November 2018

Let us help sweep up your aches and pains!



Let us help sweep up your aches and pains!

Ah fall, how I love you. The sweaters, the apple cider, the crunching leaves ( I will go out of my way to step on them, just to feel like a little kid again ). The football, the pumpkins, the yard work.
The yard work? leaf raking is one of the typical fall activities, and it’s right up there with other activities, that fall in that category of ‘top ways to hurt your back’ which leave you on a Saturday or Sunday lying on your sofa with shockingly sharp back pain. All because you didn’t protect your back when you went out leaf raking.

To avoid that fate, follow these easy tips the next time you head out to rake.
You should think especially about stretching the muscles that support the lower back and of course, any muscle involved in the actual raking (eg. arms, shoulders) Here are some easy stretches you can do for your lower back to prepare, this doesn’t have to be extensive, just take 5 minutes and get your body ready.
·         Posture: staying hunched over is simply not good for your back. Your spine has a natural curve and you should try to maintain those spinal curves while raking, try to avoid that hunched over posture with this pattern. Rake, straighten up. Rake, straighten up. So many people rake with this pattern: rake, rake, rake, rake, rake, rake… look I went super fast and made a huge pile! Whoa, my back!

·         Twist: There are leaves all around you, so what's the most effective way to reach them all? Well, if you twist more with your lower back – leaving your feet more or less planted – you’re relying too much on your spine. Let you feet and hips do some of the work! When raking, you should rotate by moving from your hips and shuffling your feet.
·       Relax: You do not have to do the entire yard in 15 minutes. In fact, you really should make leaf raking a leisurely activity. Rake for 10 to 15 minutes, and that take a break. On your brake, make sure you hydrate – with water.


Come and visit one of our highly trained osteopaths

here at WeaverHouse, call 01270 629933

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Autumn Newsletter

Welcome, today's post is to update you on what has been happening at WeaverHouse by uploading our Autumn Newsletter for you

Please click the link HERE

Happy Reading 😃

Friday 7 September 2018

Let's get physical

Exercise and being active is often the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain, most of us just want to curl up on the sofa or go to bed. Does that sound about right? 
Whilst this may be okay in the short term, in the long term it's not such a good idea.
Exercise is essential for your overall health and wellbeing. It helps keep your muscles, bones and joints strong so that you can keep moving as well as reducing your risk of developing other conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. 
It also boosts your mood, benefits your mental health, aids weight control and improves sleep. 


When you exercise your body releases chemicals such as endorphins into your bloodstream. These are sometimes called ‘feel-good’ chemicals because they boost your mood and make you feel good. They also interact with receptors in your brain and ‘turn down the volume’ on your pain system. 
So, exercise can help you feel better, reduce your risk of many health issues and help you manage your pain. 
For exercise to be most effective it needs to be regular and should include the following:
  • flexibility exercises – stretching and range of movement exercises help maintain or improve the flexibility of your joints and nearby muscles and will help keep you moving properly and ease joint stiffness 
  • strengthening exercises – these build muscle strength, provide stability to your joints and improve your ability to perform daily tasks
  • cardiovascular or aerobic exercises – these are exercises that gets you moving and increase your heart rate helping improve the health of your heart and lungs (cardiovascular system) and can also help with endurance, weight control and prevention of other health problems (e.g. diabetes). 
  • swimming or water exercise classes
  • tai chi, yoga, Pilates
  • walking
  • low-impact aerobics   

Start slowly and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do.
Set yourself goals - they’ll help keep you focused and motivated.
Remember that it may be some time since you last had an exercise routine, so set goals that are appropriate for the new you, not the old you! 
Choose exercises and activities that you enjoy and try to be active on most, preferably all, days of the week.
Exercise with friends or family – this will make it more enjoyable and will also help motivate you.
Warm up and cool down properly before and after exercising.
Know the difference between the muscle pain you feel after exercise, and the pain you may feel as a result of overdoing it. 
Talk with your doctor, osteopath or physiotherapist for information and advice before starting an exercise regime.

We are more than happy to assist you with your exercise goals. Give us a call today to make your appointment and we’ll even give you a free 15 minute osteopathic back and health assessment check.
Call us on 01270 629933 or email info@weaverhouse.com



Wednesday 29 August 2018

Headaches and migraines

Headaches and migraines can be very debilitating and affect most people at some stage of their lives. There are more than 200 types of headaches ranging from simple strains to more complex ones.



Headaches often arise from tension, muscle stiffness or joint strain in the neck and upper back. Other causes can include eyestrain, sinus problems, whiplash injury, stress, poor posture, teeth grinding, infection or allergies. If the presentation appears to be a more serious problem, we will refer as necessary. When not serious, we can help diagnose the cause and assist in alleviating the headache through improving mobility and reducing muscular tension in the back, ribcage, head and jaw as well as advising you on posture, diet and exercises.

A migraine is different from other headaches because it may cause symptoms including: Nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Migraine attacks are experienced as a headache of at least moderate severity usually on one side of the head and occurring with the symptoms above. The headache is usually made worse by physical activity. Migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours and in most cases there is complete freedom from symptoms between attacks. Certain factors are involved in triggering an attack in those predisposed to migraine. These are usually called trigger factors and can include lifestyle, and hormonal changes.

We will take a thorough case history as well as performing an osteopathic examination and endeavour to identify the cause of the pain (i.e. muscle, joint, ligament), we will also aim to understand why that area of your body is under strain. Osteopathy and massage are a safe alternative to medication for headache. By reducing muscle tension, restoring healthy blood supply to nerves and promoting good movement through the joints, we are able to significantly reduce the presence of nerve irritation and muscle tension helping to alleviate the cause of your headaches.

We will further support your journey back to health by advising on posture, ergonomics, exercises and stretching. If required, we will also communicate with your GP.

IMPORTANT: If the headache you are having is accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, bleeding/fluid from ears or nose, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, numbness, tingling or paralysis. This is especially important if this is the first time you are experiencing this headache.
Seek urgent medical advice from your GP


IF YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL US 01270 629933 OR EMAIL INFO@WEAVERHOUSE.COM

Monday 20 August 2018

Small changes can bring big results

The average mobile ‘phone user spends 90 minutes on average on their ‘phones each day. This doesn’t sound like a lot, maybe the same time you spend watching TV, however this adds up to 10.5 hours each week that you look at your phone! 



This means less time to exercise, more stress on your body, not to mention the time it takes away from the people around you. You are disengaged from all of those. 

The (tongue-in-cheek) term ‘iposture’ is quickly gaining recognition as the ideal description for the way we hunch over our mobile phones, but it’s no laughing matter as this is one of the main causes of poor posture and lower back pain.

Try scheduling designated time to handle your emails and social media from your computer where you can set up your ergonomics to support good body positioning as you type.

If your phone has a voice dictation feature, learn how to use it and talk your text messages, social media posts, and emails. This may take a little time to get accustomed to, but your neck, shoulders, and back will thank you.

Avoiding the mobile phone slump is simple and anyone can do it. It just requires a little self-discipline and awareness. But it’s worth doing for the difference it will make in your neck, back, and the rest of your body, too!

If you feel that you are suffering from the effects of poor posture give us a call and schedule a free 15-minute osteopathic back and health assessment check 
01270 629933 or email info@weaverhouse.com


Friday 27 July 2018

School's out for the Summer

Now that the Summer holidays have officially started you'll be out and about more with the children.
It's important for you to encourage your children to be physically active. They should try to do at least 40–60 minutes of exercise each day. 


If any of your family experience pain when exercising please contact your Osteopath. 
When an adult or child has been living a more sedentary lifestyle the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues are not conditioned to sudden bouts of exercise and can be easily torn or damaged. 
Having a health check can make sure there are no underlying issues that could be preventing you or your child from exercising and we can offer you a FREE 15 minute Osteopathic back and health assessment check. 
Give us a call today 01270 629933 or email info@weaverhouse.com 

Tuesday 17 July 2018

On your bike - for all the right reasons

To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, mental illness, diabetes and arthritis. Riding your bike regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It's also fun, cheap and good for the environment.

Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation and sport. 

Cycling for health and fitness

It only takes two to four hours a week to achieve a general improvement to your health. Cycling is:
  • Low impact – it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise.
  • A good muscle workout – cycling uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal.
  • Easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. Most people know how to ride a bike and, once you learn, you don’t forget.
  • Good for strength and stamina – cycling increases stamina, strength and aerobic fitness.
  • As intense as you want – cycling can be done at very low intensity to begin with, if recovering from injury or illness, but can be built up to a demanding physical workout.
  • A fun way to get fit – the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors means you are more likely to continue to cycle regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.
  • Time-efficient – as a mode of transport, cycling replaces sedentary (sitting) time spent driving motor vehicles or using trams, trains or buses with healthy exercise.

Health benefits of regular cycling

Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. You will breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve your overall fitness level. 

The health benefits of regular cycling include:

  • increased cardiovascular fitness
  • increased muscle strength and flexibility
  • improved joint mobility
  • decreased stress levels
  • improved posture and coordination
  • strengthened bones
  • decreased body fat levels
  • prevention or management of disease
  • reduced anxiety and depression.
Always remember to stay road safe when riding your bike and if there are cycle paths use them whenever you can and always wear a protective cycle helmet.

To discuss with us further about whether or not cycling is an appropriate exercise for you, give us a call to schedule your first or next appointment 01270 629933 
or email info@weaverhouse.com 

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Not all who wander are lost....

Some are just looking for Osteopathy.

Have you considered whether Osteopathy could help you but not known how to find out more? 

There are so many different treatments out there for different complaints and ailments so why should you choose Osteopathy? 
Osteopathy believes in “treating the patient, not the disease”, looking at your body as a whole and as an individual. The principle is that all body parts are interconnected and the function of one part of the body is dependant on another.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an effective form of manual medicine that aims to restore the body’s musculoskeletal system to a state of balance. Osteopathy uses a unique system of diagnosis and treatment that emphasises the structural integrity of the body to treat many disorders that result in pain and dysfunction.

What are the benefits? 

You can expect the following benefits:
  • Alleviate pain and tightness in the muscles, and joints
  • Assess the underlying cause of pain and discomfort
  • Increase the range of motion in the joints
  • Reduce problems in the spine due to poor posture or injury
  • Offer a non-invasive treatment for persistent pain and discomfort
  • Helps pregnant women adapt to physical and hormonal changes in their body
  • Reduces tension in the body that causes a headache or a migraine
Osteopathy also offers advantages that most people tend to overlook such as providing comfort for people suffering from chronic diseases such as arthritis and Asthma. Moreover, the treatment can help prevent recurrence of an injury or acute health problems by improving lifestyle factors through a series of relaxation techniques, exercise and dietary advice as well as education about risk factors. 
If you're still unsure if Osteopathy is right for you we are more than happy to give you a FREE 15 minute Osteopathic back and health assessment check.
Call or email us to make your appointment 01270 629933 or email 

Tuesday 3 July 2018

Our Summer Newsletter is now available!

Containing news and valuable information from our practitioners for the Summer season.


If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered in future newsletters or to ensure you receive the latest copy emailed to you 'fresh off the press' please do let us know, either by email at:info@weaverhouse.com or call us on 01270 629933 or even come and talk to our friendly Reception team in person!
Have a read of our Summer 2018 newsletter here Summer Newsletter

Monday 18 June 2018

25th Anniversary of the Osteopaths Act

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) was established by the Osteopaths Act 1993 to ‘provide for the regulation of the profession of osteopathy’.

Maintaining standards

The Osteopathic Practice Standards sets out the standards that practising osteopaths must meet. These include knowledge of the safe and competent practice of osteopathy, professional ethics and after-care evaluation.
The practice of osteopathy has a long history in the United Kingdom. The first school of osteopathy was established in London in 1917 by John Martin Littlejohn a pupil of A.T. Still, who had been Dean of The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. After many years of existing outside the mainstream of health care provision, the osteopathic profession in the UK was accorded formal recognition by Parliament in 1993 by the Osteopaths Act.This legislation now provides the profession of osteopathy the same legal framework of statutory self-regulation as other healthcare professions such as medicine and dentistry.
This Act provides for "protection of title" A person who, whether expressly or implicitly describes him - or her- self as an osteopath, osteopathic practitioner, osteopathic physician, osteopathist, osteotherapist, or any kind of osteopath is guilty of an offence unless they are registered as an osteopath. There are currently more than five thousand osteopaths registered in the UK.
Osteopathic medicine is regulated by the General Osteopathic Council, (GOsC) under the terms of the Osteopaths Act 1993 and statement from the GMC. Practising osteopaths will usually have a B.S. or M.Sc. in osteopathy. 
Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person's muscles and joints.
Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together. Osteopaths use physical manipulation, stretching and massage with the aim of: increasing the mobility of joints, relieving muscle tension, enhancing the blood supply to tissues and helping the body to heal.
If you have any questions you would like to ask about Osteopathy or would like to know if Osteopathy could help you, give us a call and we'll also give you a FREE 15 minute Osteopathic back and health assessment check 01270 629933 or email info@weaverhouse.com 

Monday 4 June 2018

Why not try something new....

This week for National Mens Health week we are encouraging men to try something new and investigate better ways to prevent and manage sports injuries, occupational injuries or any other niggling muscle or joint pains they may have. 


Now that we have your attention....
When you think of Osteopathy, do you immediately think of bones? We treat more than you think.
We are primary healthcare practitioners who can help identify important types of dysfunction in your body. We focus on how your skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves and circulation work together to improve your health and well-being.
Osteopathic treatment covers a diverse range of techniques such as stretching and soft tissue massage for general treatment of muscles, tendons and ligaments; along with exercise prescription and mobilisation of specific joints and soft tissues.
Common conditions that men seek help from their osteopath for include neck pain, sports injuries, headaches and migraines, whiplash, postural problems, sciatica, knee and heel pain, shin splints, arthritis and occupational injuries.
In Men's Health Week, now is the perfect time to find out more about how osteopathy can help you – and you don’t need a referral.
Want to find out what osteopathy can do for you? Make an appointment today 01270 629933 

Sunday 3 June 2018

Prevention is the best cure

It’s important that all patients diagnosed with diabetes see a podiatrist for preventative foot-care. Diabetics are more at risk of foot problems because of the following potential complications with diabetes:

Damage to the nerves in the feet (neuropathy)
Neuropathy can result from poor blood glucose control and damage to the nerves in your feet. This causes a loss of protective sensation meaning your feet may be unable to detect injury. For example, you may not be aware of an ulcer on the bottom of your foot as you do not feel any pain. This can then lead to more serious foot complications like infection if not treated. Symptoms of neuropathy can include numbness, tingling, pins and needles or a burning sensation in the feet.

Damage to the blood vessels that supply the feet
Poor blood glucose control may also cause a reduction in the blood supply to the feet. Poor circulation delays healing and makes people with diabetes more susceptible to infection following any cut or wound to the foot.
Symptoms of poor blood supply may include cold feet, cramps and pain.

People who suffer from diabetes should see a podiatrist as soon as they are diagnosed. An initial diabetes foot check will help determine how often you should visit a podiatrist for diabetic foot care and prevention of any related problems. 
Remember your feet are more at risk with diabetes and prevention is the best cure. 

As well as diabetic foot care our podiatrist also treats general foot problems, children’s foot problems and sports injuries. Call us today to make an appointment 01270 629933 

Tuesday 15 May 2018

Changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes huge changes to accommodate the growing foetus. 
Apart from the obvious physical changes like expansion of the abdominal region, hormonal releases can affect the function of your body's internal systems. 
As your pregnancy progresses, the extra weight creates a shift in your body's centre of gravity. Your supporting ligaments also soften. These factors along with how you use your body day to day may add stress to your body, causing problems like back pain, sciatica, shortness of breath, swelling, high blood pressure and fatigue. 
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an Osteopath is the opportunity to help a pregnant lady in discomfort, and to assist her throughout the pregnancy.
We can help to alleviate some of the discomfort caused by weight gain and postural adaptations, using gentle and safe techniques to support Mum and baby. 
We can also offer advice about managing these symptoms and demonstrate self-help techniques which you and your birthing partner can use during pregnancy and labour.
Give us a call today 01270 629933 to make an appointment or email us info@weaverhouse.com 

Monday 7 May 2018

Fibromyalgia and M.E./Chronic Fatigue

Fibromyalgia and M.E/Chronic Fatigue can be a very difficult illness to manage and treat. Accompanied by numerous symptoms, ranging from fatigue to debilitating muscle pain, sufferers often have to look for a number of different treatments before they experience any relief.

Not all of these symptoms will apply to everyone. 
Common signs and symptoms include:

Widespread Pain
Morning Stiffness
Fatigue

Nausea
Sleep Disorders
Urinary and Pelvic Problems
Dizziness
Chronic Headaches
Cold Symptoms
Temporomandibular Joint
Dysfunction Syndrome
Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity Syndromes
"Fibro fog": Cognitive
or Memory Impairment
Skin Complaints
Chest Symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Dysmenorrhea
Aggravating Factors
Myofascial Pain
Syndrome
Muscle Twitches
and Weakness
Memory Loss
Weight Gain
Vision problems
Poor body temperature control 


Could Osteopathy help?                                                                                            

Osteopathy can help to ease many symptoms, particularly fatigue, muscle pain, and chronic headaches. It can also help to:

·      increase flexibility
·      improve range of motion
·      relieve joint pain


Osteopaths can be very helpful when it comes to diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome/M.E/Chronic Fatigue 
Because of the hands-on treatment techniques, we can easily identify tender points around the body, as well as other signs.

For further information please give us a call 01270 629933 or email info@weaverhouse.comWe can also offer you a FREE 15-minute Osteopathic back and health assessment check.