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“in London: A little bit of ouch”
January 9, 2013 · 12 comments
It has not helped that as I was drawing in my tights yesterday something went pop in my sacroiliac joint and I was stuck in a bending position swearing bloody blue murder. I arrived at my morning radio gig, (internet security & fashion trends), with damp hair, and an unzipped dress, crawling sideways and very, very slowly, like someone who had had way too much fun the night before. I WISH.
Post office tower (photo not included)
(The Post Office Tower, as seen from Berners Street at 0830hrs yesterday morning outside the recording studio. Given the contorted position I was standing in, I’m amazed I got it straight.)
Wonderful Twitter came up trumps tho, with recommendations for Osteopaths and Chiropractors all over North London. I went down the chiro route — it was easier to make a decision, there were only two, compared to over a dozen osteos, and a huge thank you to Michael Smith at ( 16 England’s Lane NW3 4TG ) in Belsize Park, who squeezed me in at 6pm, deep massaged my lumbar region with a whirring machine, and did some clever manipulation. This morning I can bend over, and walk without wincing.
It feels like a miracle. And a strong warning. I’m going back on Friday for another session, and am determined to make strengthening my back and abs a priority for 2013, before my entire body collapses from under use.
http://www.libertylondongirl.com/2013/01/09/llg-in-london-a-little-bit-of-ouch/
What we see from a distance is
i) movement
and
ii) posture.
Belsize NW3 Chiropractic defines ‘ageing’ as the loss of movement. This means you can be 20 years old and be more ‘aged’ than an 80 year old marathon runner or morning swimmer.
At NW3 & Belsize Chiropractic, a classic symptom of the beginnings of neck problems is the patient who complains that reversing the car is causing neck pain. Alternatively the cliche picture of the old man, with lost range of motion, sciatica, hunched posture and reporting difficulty doing up his shoe laces. Or the woman who says she can do up her bra one way but not the other; ie one shoulder has started to lose range of motion.
You can test shoulders for such signs of restriction by trying ‘Apley’s Scratch’. This involves attempting to touch your hands behind your back, where one arm reaches down the back from above shoulder height and the other from below upwards. The fingers should touch, if not interlock without difficulty or pain.
What about the ‘finger to floor’ distance test? Standing with straight knees, can your fingers reach the floor? This test is an indicator of tight low back muscles as well as hamstrings.
The issue is primarily the fact that contractile organs such as muscle, do not elongate after contraction, by themselves. They must rely on being stretched back to their original length by either an antagonist muscle (one which moves the involved joint in the opposite direction) or by an external body such as a machine, obstacle or friendly Belsize NW3 Chiropractor.
Similarly elastic tissue such as tendons and ligaments only ever intrinsically contract and rely on similar external forces to be stretched out again. If one becomes less mobile due to employment, disease or laziness, these tissues contract and shorten in length thereby reducing the range of motion of the involved joint(s) and therefore, their owner. This in turn leads to joint stiffening and subsequent appearance of ageing. Other more permanent signs are calcification of these once soft tissues. This latter sign can result in joint fusion after which it is virtually impossible to regain original range of motion.
The ‘punchline’ therefore, is to prevent these prime symptoms or signs of ageing. Stretch regularly, exercise regularly and visit your chiropractor every three to six months. Treat these visits like an MOT as most people service their car more than their bodies. Also eat a healthy balanced diet including fish, vegetables and fruit. When eating red meat, only eat low fat, good quality meat to decrease the chance of longterm complications such as bowel cancer.
Follow the above advice and help prevent the signs and symptoms of true ‘ageing’ such as the posture and loss of motion of an ‘old person’.
Blog 3 - Visit to London Independent Hospital – Sports Care Clinic
Recently I was invited to The London Independent Hospital’s Sports Care Clinic (http://www.londonsportscare.co.uk/). The resident Consultant Radiologist, Dr Otto Chan invited me for a 10 hour observation day after which a group of doctors, nurses, physios and this chiropractor were privy to a lecture given by the respected Professor Malluffi into the most recent studies on tendonopathy.
A day of ultrasounding tendons and ligaments in various areas of the body was invaluable, as a lot of my work involves patients with palpable scar (Collagen Type III? Neovascularisation??) tissue. Where I use deep tissue Trigger Point Therapy and specific Vibration Therapy, Dr Chan injects high volume homepathic/cortisone cocktails into chronic tendons and ligaments, to break up the unwanted new blood vessels and type III collagen deposits which contribute to pain and the perpetuation of these conditions. The technique is thought to have originated in Germany and brought to England by Dr Chan and his group.
Dr Chan also employs the doppler function of Ultrasound to visualise and verify the existence of neo-vascularisation before treatment and its absence in comparative ‘still shots’, after treatment.
Dr Maffuli has published many research papers relating to tendonopathy and gave a most interesting lecture on the latest research and results for this area of interest.
http://www.londonsportscare.co.uk/Our Blog
Blog 4 - ‘Jogger’s Knee’
Often New Years resolutions are left until the last minute leaving joggers with few months until the start gun pops. The first thing to sacrifice is the 10-minute warm-up; often turned into 2 minutes. Hamstrings, Gluteal muscles and ITB (Ilio-Tibial Band down the side of the leg) are treated as one as are Quadriceps and Psoas Major stretches.
Consequently, many runners develop hip and knee complaints often due to over-pronation and subsequent Genu Valgus. Proper stretching of the ITB can decrease the likelihood of Genu Valgus occurring as can arch supports. Similarly low back musculature is often ignored in the stretching pre- and post-run. Most of these complaints can be avoided or treated so if you’re planning to start training, perhaps consider NW3 Chiropractic at BodyMatters.
Scientific Information:
The UK BEAM Trial
Visit: The University of York
What We Treat & How
Common conditions treated at NW3 Chiropractic:
- Headaches (See Research for clarification)
- Back pain
- Neck pain & stiffness
- Rib pain & pain on inspiration (breathing in)
- Pain down the leg or through the buttock
- Spinal pain
- Joint & muscle problems
- General loss of joint range of motion
- Feelings of imbalance
- Peripheral joint problems – ankle, elbow, wrist
- Pins & Needles
- Numbness
- Stiff or tight muscles & joints
Some of these conditions may involve elements of nerve compression and boney misalignment. Additionally, tight ligaments and muscles can compress nerves and pull bones out of alignment. Therefore our treatments take into consideration all elements and usually commence with the least invasive approach. Our methods of treatment include various soft tissue techniques such as trigger point therapy, vibration therapy, massage as well as chiropractic adjustments(manipulation) of the spinal vertebral and skeletal bones. Initially all patients undergo thorough neurological and orthopaedic examinations followed by treatment depending on their problem. Exercises are usually prescribed; specific to each individual’s condition and structure.
The duration and number of treatments required for resolution of complaints depends on the type of complaint and the response to treatment over time, by each particular patient.
Should you have any questions about whether chiropractic treatment is right for you then please contact us.
Back Pain
Back pain, also called Backache or Lumbago, is one of the most common medical problems and is the most regularly presented problem at NW3 Chiropractic. Back pain affects approximately 80% of people at some point during their lives and according to the NHS, is the largest cause of work-related absence in the UK. Back pain issues can range from a dull ache to a sudden sharp pain occurring constantly or intermittently.
Anyone can be affected by back pain, but there are some things that increase your risk such as age, poor fitness levels or weight. Some types of back pain can be inherited and in other cases may be impacted by particular jobs e.g. if your work involves lifting or pushing or if you work at a desk, incorrect posture can cause back pain.
Back pain can be caused by a number of different things. For example, a mechanical issue with the back itself (e.g. ruptured disc, facet joint injury or tense muscles), a previous injury or fall, or a particular medical condition. All possible causes are investigated in an initial consultation and ongoing treatment at NW3 Chiropractic.
We will also work with you to provide you with the information and tools to minimise the likelihood of your problem recurring.
Sciatica
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is often the name given to the symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve running to the lower limb from the lumbar nerve roots. The Sciatic nerve is a large trunk of nerves that runs from the lower back, through the pelvis and down the back of each leg, providing innervation to a large proportion of the lower limb.
What are the symptoms?
Characteristics of sciatica are pain, numbness, weakness or pins and needles. It will normally occur on one side of your body and may include the lower back and possibly the leg. The pain may be dull, sharp, burning, or intermittent shocks of shooting pain.
The causes of sciatica may include spinal disc compression, muscle compression or tension due to spinal curvature or other conditions putting pressure on the sciatic nerve or its tributaries. These forces may cause pain and other symptoms. If you are experiencing sciatica, sitting and trying to stand up may be painful, whilst coughing and sneezing may make the pain worse if the sciatica involves a problem with a disc.
Treatment at NW3Chriopractic
To try to pin point the cause of sciatica we would first take a full history with the patient followed by Orthopaedic and Neurological tests. Assuming nothing untoward is suspected, we would use muscle vibration techniques, trigger point therapy and deep tissue and chiropractic adjustments (manipulation).
Neck Pain
Neck pain is a common issue presenting at NW3Chiropractic. Neck pain can be caused by a number of issues including whiplash, compression injuries, desk-based static postures and computer repetitive strain.
Additionally, lower spine and pelvic distortions can establish spinal curvatures that manifest as neck pain. Neck pain can also arise from other physical and emotional health issues.
Pins and Needles
‘Pins and needles’ is a form of paraesthesia (altered sensation) due to neural(nerve) compromise. It may manifest as a tingling or prickling sensation usually in the extremities of the upper or lower limb.
One of the first questions to ask when a patient presents with these symptoms, is whether they are experiencing the issue on both sides of the body. This will help to define if it is a chiropractic issue or not. If the symptoms are bilateral, it is more likely to be a systemic or central problem. This can be discerned by a thorough history prior to neurological and orthopaedic tests; either by your chiropractor or GP. Both may seek imaging investigations such as MRI or x-ray, where necessary.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the gentle, effective treatment for back & neck pain, sports injuries and more. At NW3 Chiropractic we provide gentle, effective Chiropractic treatment tailoured to each individual’s needs. Our treatments usually incorporate a variety of methods, including soft tissue techniques, stretches and spinal adjustments (specific joint manipulation).
Q:”What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an Osteopath?”
A: The closest answer is usually “There is more difference between the professional than the profession”. The biggest difference other than that is that Chiropractors graduate with a Masters which includes a Government-approved licence to take X-Rays, while Osteopaths do not. Chiropractors may be more interested in imaging of affected joints, if the imaging is likely to affect the way the patient is treated.
All major organs of the body receive innervation from the spinal nerves and therefore may suffer from interference to spinal nerve signals. When a joint is misaligned or not moving as it should, it can cause anything from no pain to mild or even severe pain and muscle spasms. At worst it may cause irritation to the extremely sensitive nerves leaving the spine, causing pain and problems anywhere in the body, for example sciatica or arm pain.
As chiropractors, we aim to gently remove interference to your nervous system. When vertebrae in your spine move out of their optimal, neutral position, chiropractic aims to ‘re-align’ the bones to their natural, symmetrical position. Our treatment goal is to allow full and proper nerve supply to organs of the body including muscle, heart, lung, reproductive organs and many more.
Chiropractors take an integrated and holistic approach to the health needs of their patients, considering physical, psychological and social factors. They provide care and support by reducing pain and disability and by restoring normal function to people with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders.
Chiropractors spend five to seven years of full time university study to become qualified and chiropractic is now the fastest growing independent health care profession in the United Kingdom, regulated by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
The GCC’s definition of chiropractic
‘Chiropractic is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment (World Federation of Chiropractic, 1999).’
Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often referred to as the father of medicine, advised; “Get knowledge of the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases.” Hippocrates (460 BC – 370 BC) The actual profession of chiropractic dates back to 1895. However, some of the earliest healers in the history of the world understood the relationship between health and the condition of the spine.
Why use Chiropractic?
It has been shown through various scientific studies over the last 30 years that chiropractic treatment minimises recovery time from many musculo-skeletal conditions.
Examples of research: A Medical Research Council clinical trial and its follow-up, reported in the British Medical Journal in 1990 and 1995, that chiropractic treatment of back pain was more effective than hospital outpatient treatment.
The European Commission Acute Low Back Pain Guidelines includes manipulation as an effective treatment for low back pain and the overall health of the body.
The UK Beam Trial carried out in NHS hospitals and through The University of York, showed positive results for spinal manipulative care and exercise, as compared to conventional management.