The Bodyworks Health Clinic

Is your health getting you down?

2012-02-22T17:31:00.000+01:00

After my interview on iTalk FM this afternoon looking at how to help people who have been given heavy duty and long term medication and suffered depression as a result I felt inspired to do some research and share it with you.

The link between continual pain and depression is one that is a fairly obvious one for all to see. People with chronic lower back pain are 3 – 4 times more likely to suffer from major depression (Sullivan et al. 1992).

If that pain then means that you cannot participate in your normal daily activities, golf, tennis or even moving about your home or the supermarket comfortably, then this brings you down even further (Williamson and Schulz, 1992). In fact, limited mobility is the strongest investigated factor associated with depression.

However this is a vicious cycle as shown by a new study done recently in South Korea and published in the March 16 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis experience far greater pain levels if they are also suffering from depression. "The results of this study indicate that depression can play a major role in the way patients experience the symptoms of knee arthritis, and that even when X-rays show the arthritis is not severe, patients with depression may report significant pain," says study author Dr. Tae Kyun Kim, director of the division of knee surgery and sports medicine at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital's Joint Reconstruction Center.

So what action can you take to stave off depression?

The first thing to remember is that “pain is not a necessity”. If you are suffering from a bad back or painful knees that is starting to affect your quality of life the first step is to get a complete and qualified diagnosis.

I recommend getting a complete clinical assessment to understand the problem and the true source of the pain. Once an accurate diagnosis has been done there are a number of options ranging from drugs and surgery to Magnetic Resonance Therapy, Orthotics and conventional physiotherapy techniques.

The Electro-lymphatic therapy that we use can help to "clean" the toxins and residual effects of the medication out of your body, in effect giving you a clean slate to move on from.

Acupuncture can also help with both aspects of this issue. It has proven pain relieving effects to help reduce the pain you feel. Acupuncture can also help to relieve the symptoms of depression thereby giving you a two pronged approach to the problem.

Supplements can also help to reduce pain and keep joints healthy for longer:

Glucosamine and Chondroitin have been used for many years to help increase the lubrication in your joints. Always make sure that you take both together as Chondroitin helps the body to utilise glucosamine more effectively. Both are most effective in liquid form.

B6 and B12 vitamins also help reduce depression and a recent study has shown these are more effective in supplement form, particularly for those over 60 where digestive absorption can be compromised.

Omega 3’s also reduce inflammation in the body, helping reduce the pain of joints. They also help the brain to function better, thus reducing depression. This needs to be in excess of 1,000mg today.

So lots of routes forward to help you feel well and be happy!

Get ready for the slopes

2012-02-16T11:58:00.003+01:00

It is that time of year when it seems almost everyone is heading for the slopes, either Sierra Nevada here in Andalucia or further afield. As I’m sure you can imagine, this can make for a very busy time for me so let’s hope I don’t see you in my clinic!

To help avoid a visit and to help stop achy muscles ruining your fun, strengthen the correct muscles now so that you can keep hitting the powder day after day staying fit and well.

Ideally, you should start doing these exercises at least 6 weeks before your trip to give your body time to adapt. Aim for 3 sets of each exercise, three times a week in conjunction with 2 stamina boosting cardio sessions.

Testimonial from Peter Tomlinson

2012-02-13T15:14:00.000+01:00

I am always so appreciative when one of my patients agrees to share their story. So often medicine is shrouded in mystery, making it daunting as a patient to choose a route forward. I often think that hearing from other patients who have been through the same process, who can explain and perhaps answer some of the queries and concerns is so helpful.

So once again I would like to thank Peter for giving up his time to put pen to paper and tell his story.

Being a keen sportsman eventually took its toll on me, with my left knee becoming very swollen and painful.

I was unable to play padel and even found simple tasks such as walking and going up and down stairs difficult.

I sought help from Estelle Mitchell and her team at Bodyworks Health Clinic and further tests were deemed necessary.

An MRI was quickly and efficiently arranged and, upon seeing the results Estelle advised I embarked on an intensive treatment regime consisting of regular physiotherapy, a course of MRT and a home exercise programme. Which I started immediately.

However I have to say that I as I had some very tight work and social deadlines to meet (a family off-piste skiing trip and games of padel) I even had a back up plan of painkilling injections lined up!

I am pleased to say that thanks to Estelle and everyone at Bodyworks I fortunately didn’t have to resort to such drastic and potentially damaging measures.

During the treatment I noticed a gradual improvement, which I was assured by the great team at Bodyworks would continue.

I made it on my ski trip and I have returned to thrashing around the padel court, all without too much objection from my previously poorly knee.

Would I recommend anyone to go to Bodyworks? Yes, of course I would!

You can also see the newspaper article that Peter had printed here.

Joint Pain? Arthritis? Glucosamine?

2011-12-28T12:57:00.003+01:00

The use of nutritional supplements for joint health became a topic of national discussion with the 1997 publication of The Arthritis Cure by Jason Theodosakis, M.D. The book discussed glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate not as actual cures but as inhibitors of the joint degeneration and pain associated with osteoarthritis.

I have long advocated the use of glucosamine and chondroitin. In the normal course of treatments I am often asked by my patients if there is anything they can do to help themselves. Frequently, the answer is yes and many patients have improved quite dramatically from taking glucosamine.

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is an amino sugar and is a key component of the extra cellular matrix of cartilage. Each person and animal produces a certain amount of glucosamine within their bodies. However, as you grow older your body loses the capacity to make enough glucosamine so the cartilage in your weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and hands is gradually destroyed. This then causes pain, deformed joints, limited joint movement and limping.

Post Surgery Rehabilitation

2011-12-22T17:25:00.003+01:00

“There’s no point in doing surgery unless you do the rehabilitation, otherwise you just end up with a patient with scars”

So says Mr Andrew Roberts, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital.

Rehabilitation after orthopaedic (joint and bone) surgery can make a key difference between getting a good outcome or a “just ok” outcome.

One of the key differences between the UK and Spanish medical services is the emphasis that UK surgeons place on physiotherapy. In many instances in the UK the physiotherapist will see the patient the day they have had surgery to teach them how to walk on crutches, how to perform daily tasks such as going to the bathroom and also to give them exercises to help start the recovery process.

The key to longevity? Not what you might expect

2011-12-20T10:52:00.002+01:00

Cheer up. Stop worrying. Don’t work so hard. Good advice for a long life? As it turns out, no. In a groundbreaking study of personality as a predictor of longevity, University of California, Riverside researchers found just the opposite.

After 5 years, studying over 1,500 people from 1921 to 1996 it was found that it was the most prudent individuals who stayed healthiest and lived the longest. The Longevity Project participants who were the most cheerful and had the best sense of humour lived shorter lives, on average, than those who were less cheerful and joking.

Part of the explanation lies in health behaviours -- the cheerful, happy-go-lucky kids tended to take more risks with their health, noted Howard S. Friedman, distinguished professor of psychology who led the 20-year study. While an optimistic approach can be helpful in a crisis, "we found that as a general life-orientation, too much of a sense that 'everything will be just fine' can be dangerous because it can lead one to be careless about things that are important to health and long life. Prudence and persistence, however, led to a lot of important benefits for many years."

Prevention is better then cure

So what action should we take to ensure we lead longer, healthier lives?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2011-12-13T16:01:00.001+01:00

You might think that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a modern condition, a result of long hours on the computer, laptop or smart phone, but there are medical records from the early 1900’s of people showing the same symptoms.

Where is the Carpal Tunnel?

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway about as wide as your thumb located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects the median nerve, one of the main nerves to your hand controlling index and middle finger function as well as parts of the little finger.

Any pressure or inflammation in this tunnel puts pressure on the nerve and this produces the numbness, pain and eventually, hand weakness that characterises carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually, with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm.

Moving on after a mastectomy

2011-12-12T12:46:00.005+01:00

It is very likely that someone you know has been affected by breast cancer. Rates have skyrocketed to estimates that 1 in 8 women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer. However we must remember that survival rates have improved dramatically, with 8 out of 10 women who are diagnosed surviving.

This is an important reminder that there is life after breast cancer! Many, many women have survived and even more will continue to do so with improved screening procedures and better treatment after diagnosis.

Although improvements in treatment techniques have reduced the amount of mastectomies required there is still an important percentage of patients who require this operation. There are 2 main types of mastectomy;

Tarsal Tunnel

2011-12-09T12:45:00.001+01:00

Many people have heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome where pain occurs in the wrist (often misdiagnosed and mistreated but that's for another blog post!). However there is a similar structure in the ankle called the Tarsal Tunnel and when this is compromised it too can cause pain and discomfort into the foot.

Where is the Tarsal Tunnel?

The Tarsal Tunnel is on the inside of your ankle. Tendons from the calf muscles, the Posterior Tibial Nerve as well as the blood supply pass around the inside the ankle joint into the foot.

Above these structures is a ligament which connects the tibia bone in your leg to the calcaneous bone in your heel. This ligament creates the Tarsal tunnel through with your tendons, nerve and blood supply pass.

If there is any compression to this tunnel it can cause problems with nerve supply, foot function and blood supply.

What are typical Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms?

Health by Numbers

2011-12-08T15:40:00.003+01:00

1 – We all have one brain, use it to look after that one body you have. Take preventative action to stop trouble happening or getting worse, rather than reactive action after the event. Look after number one.

2 – We also all have two legs (accidents etc aside) and these were designed to get us walking. Use them.

3 – Omega-3 Fatty Acid is one of the body’s essential fats. Dr Joseph Mercola author of the Total Health Program said “You want to increase your overall health and energy level. You want to prevent heart disease, cancer, depression and Alzheimer's. Perhaps you also want to treat rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Raynaud's disease and a host of other diseases. One of the most important things you can do for all of these is increase your intake of the omega-3 fats found in fish oil and cod liver oil and reduce your intake of omega-6 fats.”

4 – The maximum number of years between blood pressure checks. Because high blood pressure does not normally make us feel ill, about 30% of us are not aware that we have it. The higher your blood pressure, the shorter your life expectancy. We can check this for free at the clinic, just call and arrange a time.

5 – Is the figure that your cholesterol level should be below. The higher the cholesterol level, the more likely you are to get coronary heart disease. And yes we can check this for you too!

Referred Pain

2011-12-06T17:54:00.000+01:00

If you have pain in the knee or back you probably think something is wrong with your knee or back. In most cases this is probably correct but sometimes the brain gets confused making you think that one part of the body hurts when in fact, the real source of trouble is elsewhere. This curious (and clinically important) phenomenon is known as referred pain.

If you have pain in your knee, you would most likely see your doctor, perhaps getting an X-ray or MRI scan. What if these investigations don’t show a problem? You still have pain in your knee but your doctor is saying there is nothing wrong. What then?

I have written many articles about the importance of correct diagnosis and looking at the bigger picture. This is critical when dealing with referred pain – where the actual problem in one part of the body causes pain or symptoms elsewhere. It is so important to always do a full clinical assessment of the patient as a whole. If you complain of knee pain and there is nothing wrong with your knee, no matter how much treatment you have, no matter how many operations you have, you will still have knee pain.

i-Pain!

2011-12-02T13:48:00.003+01:00

Technology is a wonderful thing, but more and more I am seeing neck and shoulder pain and problems due to people spending so much time hunched over their smartphones and computers.

With a desktop PC, the separate components were easily adjusted for good posture, there is a detailed article here on how to set up a desktop ergonomically. With a laptop however, people often work away from a desk, hunched over on a sofa, the screen is fixed and low, and the keyboard is cramped together! Tablet computers like the iPad and smartphones are often placed flat on your lap and people now have to crane their neck to view the screen.

The average human head weighs between 10 and 12lbs or 4 ½ to 5kgs. This is a huge amount of weight to hold away from your body. Imagine picking up a 5 litre bottle of water and holding it at arms length. This is what your neck has to deal with when you sit with your chin jutting forward or neck bent. This tension can cause pain and stiffness which can radiate through the shoulders, arms and wrists and of course, cause headaches.

Polycystic Ovaries and Fertility

2011-12-01T15:07:00.002+01:00

Carole Duménil our Acupuncturist has been discussing how to manage your fertility. If you missed them, these articles are all here. This week Carole talks about a condition that can affect your fertility namely Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is easy to describe. Poly means many and cysts are tiny bubbles that occur in the body, in this case on the ovaries. Diagnosis will usually be made after an ultrasound examination, normally revealing enlarged ovaries covered in tiny cysts, egg-containing follicles that haven’t developed properly.

Is your knee straight?

2011-11-18T17:04:00.000+01:00

In my constant quest to be as up to date and as educated as possible to help my patients further, I recently attended 2 of the most comprehensive conferences on both knee assessment and the treatment of knees.

Key points were:

1. Joint disease starts much earlier than the pain

I have posted to our Facebook page a fascinating and detailed article about this from “Time” magazine. Basically, in all of us, osteoarthritic changes have been developing since we were 35 – 40 years old. Once you have pain, these osteoarthritic changes are well advanced.

2. Bone bruising (bone oedema) is serious

Once the cartilage is damaged (osteoarthritis) your bones start to rub together. These bones become soft, bruised and swollen which is a sign of serious joint changes.

3. Lack of knee extension is now the leading indicator of a developing joint disease

Why lack of knee extension can cause problems

Moles and Skin Care

2011-11-16T17:14:00.000+01:00

Well, the rain has started and I’m going to talk about skin cancer and sunbathing in honour of our new mole check-up service.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer among Caucasian populations however, it is also one of the most easily treatable types of cancer if spotted early enough.

Over the past 25 years, rates of melanoma in the

have more than tripled. Malignant melanoma is now the most common cancer in adults aged 15 – 34 with more than 9,500 cases diagnosed in the UK every year. Statistics show that 80% of skin cancer cases could be prevented through better education.

This rise is often attributed to a “healthy” tan being fashionable and of course, the rise of holidays in the sun. The main cause of skin cancer is short periods of exposure to intense sunlight i.e. that two-week beach holiday. Men are more likely to develop cancers on their neck, shoulders and back, whereas in women, the legs and arms.

What does your walk say about you?

2011-11-11T11:00:00.006+01:00

For the last 9 years we have worked with a company called Footmaxx. They provide the cutting edge technology we use for gait analysis and then the creation of orthotics.

I am often asked why I use this company, an American company rather than having orthotics made here in Europe. The answer is the quality.

How important are X-rays?

2011-10-31T14:39:00.004+01:00

Interestingly, in a recent article in the CSP's (Chartered Society of Physiotherapists) magazine Frontline they discussed the impact of some research currently being done at Griffith University in

Australia

One of the key investigations that made patients feel the most satisfied and least depressed was an X-ray.

In clinical terms X-rays are not always the most useful investigations, they only show the state of your bones, no information about other tissues such as cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles or nerves. An MRI scan gives more information about the tissues surrounding the joint and Thermal Imaging gives clearer information on nerve activity and muscle inflammation.

So how do you get the most useful investigation for you?

First you need to have a thorough physical and clinical assessment. This establishes the following things:
Read more »

The best "Baby Making" books

2011-10-25T13:41:00.004+02:00

As you will know Carole Duménil, our Acupuncturist also specialises in Fertility. Many people ask her for advice and help on getting pregnant. So we asked her to recommend a couple of her favourite books to get people started.

The Fertility Diet by Sarah Dobbyn.

Swapping what you "normally" eat for fertility friendly foods can maximise your chances of conceiving.
Little things like cutting back on chocolate and soy in your diet can support your body for conception.
There is also advice on diet for anti-aging and libido boosting foods.

Read more »

Get rid of puffy eyes

2011-10-22T13:32:00.001+02:00

A quick tip from Emmie our Electro Lymphatic Drainage practitioner:

I sometimes wake up with puffy eyes that make it difficult for me to put my contact lenses in. So here's a trick I use:

Starting underneath the eyes at the nose, use the tips of your fingers to "tap" along the cheekbone towards the ears. This bone lies directly over the sinuses and the vibrations from the tapping helps to clear them.

Tapping across the bone above the eyes, again going from the nose towards the ears will clear the upper sinuses. You can then do a little massage, as firmly as is comfortable, into the area just at the base of your ears by your jaw.

You may want to repeat the tapping and massage a couple of times, depending how much "fun" you were having the night before!

Thyroid Function

2011-10-20T13:07:00.005+02:00

When doing the Full Body Check-Up or a Breast Screening, many people enquire about whether we can give them information on their thyroid function. They are often concerned by symptoms of fatigue, changes in energy levels or weight loss problems.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a gland in the neck and is part of the endocrine or hormone system within your body. In essence the thyroid uses several hormones to control the speed that your body uses energy, including the speed of your metabolism. It is a hugely important gland and it’s dysfunction can be part of a bigger picture of problems as well as causing other issues.

What are symptoms of an over or underactive thyroid?

An Easier Menopause

2011-10-18T17:25:00.000+02:00

Menopause, a perfectly natural stage in a woman’s life, is all too often treated as a disease accompanied by symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, weight gain, libido loss or insomnia. For many years, the common “cure” has been HRT which provides synthetic oestrogen in tablet form. Whilst this can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, it has also been linked to breast cancer and heart disease. Is there an alternative?

Research has shown that Asian women tend to suffer less from menopausal symptoms, could this be due to a different attitude and approach to health? According to Chinese medicine, in a state of health, the menopause should be symptom-free. Symptoms are due to a "malfunction" in the system, in Chinese medicine this energy is a cooling and moistening energy. Therefore the symptoms show as an inability to calm and soothe the system and a tendency to heat and dryness. More specifically, women experience hot flushes, dry skin, dry eyes, vaginal dryness, night sweats and can feel agitated or tired. The key to replenish this is rest, eating nourishing and cooling foods and treatment such as acupuncture that restores energetic balance.

Read more »

Old Injuries - New Problems

2011-10-13T15:19:00.006+02:00

So often, patients come to Bodyworks after seeing many other specialists saying “nothing can be done” and that they have “seen everybody”. For successful treatment, what is often overlooked is a proper and full diagnosis so that the actual problem, not solely the painful symptoms is treated.

It is like a riddle:

When is tennis elbow not tennis elbow?

When it is a neck or shoulder injury.

In this case, no matter what treatment you apply to the elbow, it will not improve because you are not treating the cause of the problem.

Are Painful Breasts a Worry?

2011-10-07T15:19:00.001+02:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK and if you read these articles regularly, you will know that here at Bodyworks Health Clinic, we are passionate about offering safe, painless and effective breast screening.

In an ideal world all women would have an annual breast screening but the reality is, the majority of women book a breast screening because they are concerned, there has been a change in their breasts, they have found a lump or they have pain.

Is the pain on a regular or monthly basis?

Painful and swollen breasts are a common part of PMS for many women. They normally start to become uncomfortable up to 2 weeks before your period and should ease once your period starts. This is often due to tiny “bubbles” in the breast called cysts getting swollen and inflamed due to water retention and hormonal activity. This is called “Fibrocystic Breast Condition” and many women have it.

Did you know a phone book could make your back better?

2011-09-30T15:54:00.002+02:00

Is this you at your desk?

What would you say is the most important item in your office? Your computer? Your phone? No, it’s your chair! This is your number 1 piece of equipment and will look after your back and the rest of your body while you work. Sitting properly will improve your circulation, reduce aches and pains and improve your digestion. In short, how you sit affects your health, 5 minutes spent setting your desk and chair up correctly can save you a lot of aches and pains later on. So to stop work becoming a real pain in the neck a few tips and tricks.

So how to do it properly?
Read more »

Painful, "lumpy" breasts? They could be Fibrocystic . . .

2011-09-29T15:39:00.000+02:00

What Is Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

This is the medical term (pathology) for “lumpy and tender breasts”. Fibrocystic breast condition is the most common cause of non-cancerous breast lumps in women between 30 and 50 years of age.

A cyst is a bubble within tissue. It can be filled with liquid or air and can be found in many areas throughout the body. When these cysts become more permanent structures within the breasts they become what’s termed fibrocystic.

Many doctors refer to fibrocystic breasts, or lumpy breasts, as “fibrocystic breast disease”. This term is misleading because fibrocystic breast condition is not a disease at all. In fact, since fibrocystic breasts are so common some doctors do not even like to label the symptoms as a “condition”.

Women often discover the existence of this condition during a breast self-exam when they may detect a lump. As frightening as discovering a lump in your breast is, it's important to remember that the majority of breast lumps are not cancerous. However, all breasts lumps must be investigated to rule out cancer and/or to begin immediate treatment if breast cancer is diagnosed.

Try exercises for your Pelvic Floor

2011-09-28T15:34:00.006+02:00

A recent survey of 3,000 women in doctor’s waiting rooms found that almost half had experienced incontinence in the past month. 80% of teenage girls wet themselves while trampolining!

It doesn’t have to be that way, exercise your Pelvic Floor.

Your pelvic floor is a sheet of muscle that is like a hammock between your legs. This hammock supports the contents of your abdomen holding the bladder, uterus, vagina and bowel in place. When this muscle isn’t strong, the organs can move out of place and the openings don’t stay closed, so when you “stress” the area by laughing, jumping, sneezing or whatever, you can leak.

The biggest contributory factor to stress incontinence is pregnancy and giving birth. The weight of the baby on this “hammock” of muscles stretches them even more. If the muscles were struggling before, they will not work terribly well afterwards!

Just like every other muscle in your body, you can exercise your pelvic floor to strengthen it and prevent leaking. This will also improve your sex life, flatten your belly and help to take care of and support your back, another area often affected by pregnancy.

Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spur Syndrome)

2011-09-26T14:59:00.012+02:00

In medical terms, Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the Plantar Fascia. The plantar fascia is a tough and fibrous ligament that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It is a condition where the plantar fascia is pulling on the periosteum at the calcaneus causing inflammation and pain. In layman’s terms, Heel Spur Syndrome is the name given to pain directly beneath or in front of the heel, often accompanied by chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia and sometimes accompanied by a bone spur at the heel.

SYMPTOMS

Estelle Mitchell Chartered Physiotherapist describes this condition as: “presenting initially as a dull, intermittent pain in the heel or arch, progressing to a sharp, persistent and often piercing pain spreading through to the foot. The pain can be worse first thing in the morning with the first steps of the day or after you have been off your feet for a while. This is because the fibres of the fascia try and heal themselves by growing and when you walk for the first time, these fibres are torn. Pain after resting! It usually gradually disappears with walking.”

Osteoporosis

2011-09-22T14:53:00.001+02:00

Osteoporosis was regarded as mainly a woman’s disease however, The National Osteoporosis Society suggests that 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break or fracture a bone due to osteoporosis as will 1 in 2 women. These fractures can often be the first sign of this “silent illness”.

Bones are alive and are continually changing, worn out bone being replaced by new bone. In a child, the skeleton is replaced approximately every 2 years and in adults, every 7 to 10 years. Bones have a thick outer shell and a honeycomb mesh inside, think of a chocolate Crunchie Bar! Osteoporosis occurs when the gaps in this honeycomb become bigger, making the bone fragile and brittle. The wrists, hips and spine are particularly at risk.

Your Digestion

2011-09-21T14:37:00.004+02:00

Many have concerns regarding their digestion from constipation to diarrhoea, IBS, bloating, wind, pain after eating or after a bowel movement, or blood in the stools.

Common causes of digestive upset are:

Hormonal changes

Progesterone can cause constipation, especially if you are pre-menstrual or pregnant, and an underactive thyroid can slow digestion and your metabolism dramatically.

Hoping to get pregnant?

2011-09-19T14:17:00.022+02:00

In the last 2 months Carole Dumenil, Acupuncturist at Bodyworks Health Clinic who specialises in fertility, has discussed how to naturally increase your fertility. If you missed them, Part 1, Part 2 are here and all the articles that Carole has written are here. This week Carole talks about what to do if you have been trying to conceive and may be starting to ask yourself, “why am I not pregnant yet?”

When to ask for help

If you are in your twenties and have been trying for a few months, you may find that using natural methods and acupuncture can be a good first step. If you are unsuccessful after a year you may then decide to look into more “conventional Western” investigations.

If however you are in your mid to late thirties or have existing gynaecological conditions (polycystic ovaries, endometriosis) waiting a year before having any tests may not be a suitable option. In this case preliminary tests by your GP or a gynaecologist can be helpful.

It is worth noting that male fertility can also be an issue and accounts for at least 30% of infertility so it is important to look at both partners!

Getting the most out of Cosmetic Surgery

2011-09-15T14:16:00.002+02:00

Cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more popular with over 40,000 procedures being carried out in the UK in 2010 and an increasing number of people travelling abroad for their surgery due to ever rising medical standards around the world.

We have always felt that to get the best results all surgery should be treated with the respect that it deserves as it is a serious undertaking. So we have put together details on some of the additional support that we can offer to help you get the best results from your cosmetic surgery.

Planning a baby?

2011-09-12T14:12:00.003+02:00

You may have been taking contraception or just not paid that much attention to your cycle and now that you are thinking of starting a family, you wonder what you can do to help. Our fertility check list may help you focus on the right things.

Make the Most of Your Appointment

2011-09-09T16:57:00.010+02:00

Like Estelle, most consultants or practitioners offer an appointment of a fixed period of time. During your initial appointment, there is a tremendous amount of work to be done; a full medical history to take, treatment options to be discussed and, of course, hopefully, treatment to get started. This is a lot to try and acheive!

To help you get the most out of your appointment, we have put together some tips which will help maximise your time with your consultant or practitioner.

Understanding You

Bring any scans or reports

· If you have had X-rays, MRI or ultrasound scans taken that relate to your current pain or complaint – bring them with you!

· If you have had treatment or surgery previously, bring any reports from your earlier consultant or practitioner.

These will help your current consultant or practitioner understand what has happened and/or what treatment you have already had. If you do not have copies of these pictures or reports then do not be afraid to go back and ask for them. These are your scans and this is your body. Make sure you know what has happened.

Unexplained pain

2011-09-07T13:00:00.034+02:00

Do you get unexplained pain?

Tingling and strange sensations throughout your body?

Are you suffering from a variety of health issues ranging from “not feeling right” to hormone imbalances and digestive issues?

Has this been going on for some time and getting progressively worse?

Your nervous system may be to blame.

Every single action in your body is controlled by your nerves, from your lungs inflating to your digestives system producing the right enzymes to picking up your feet when you walk. When your nerve system is compromised everything in your body can be affected.

Fertile Ground - Understanding your Menstrual Cycle

2011-09-05T14:10:00.004+02:00

Many women spend years trying to not get pregnant and then know very little about their cycle and what it can tell them about their fertility and hormonal health. This can lead to confusion when you do start thinking about having a baby.

A lot of information can be drawn from the menstrual cycle, its pattern, the pain or absence of pain during the period, blood flow, the body basal temperature over the month and changes in cervical fluids, without going through a number of expensive and sometimes invasive tests,

Delivering Discreet Hearing

2011-09-02T15:27:00.004+02:00

Hearing is a gift . . . . . To listen is a choice

Peter Ormrod is Director of Audiology at the Bodyworks Clinic (Cancelada). He was made a Fellow of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists in 2007 and is currently carrying out research for his Masters Degree at the University of Bristol. He often appears on Talk Radio Europe and is involved with the William Austin Foundation which brings hearing aids to children in third world countries.

Peter’s philosophy is to deliver to his patients the world’s most innovative technology, this can be fitted in the privacy of your own home or here in the clinic.

It is difficult to replicate “real world” hearing situations within a clinical environment. Trialling a hearing system in genuinely difficult environments is the only true measure, and Peter is confident that the technology available, coupled with his knowledge, will enable his patients to “live the life they want with the hearing they have”.

Acupuncture to boost your fertility

2011-08-31T15:33:00.000+02:00

It is estimated that about one of every six

couples have problems conceiving and more and more people resort to fertility treatments to help them conceive. However, IVF treatment is a stressful and expensive process with a success rate of about 25%.

Women in

China

have used acupuncture for centuries to help with hormonal imbalance and promote fertility and recent research suggests that IVF treatment could be more effective in combination with acupuncture, which works by inserting fine needles into specific points on the body.

A 2002 German study that received a lot of attention found significantly higher conception rates (42.5% vs. 26.3%) when acupuncture was used with IVF and more recent studies have supported that claim.

Back to School: Kids' Feet

2011-08-30T12:59:00.000+02:00

It is that time of year again when the kids are back to school and life returns to it's more usual routine.

One of the items that we think is the most important to prevent future issues are making sure that your kids have good shoes to support their feet and help them walk, run and move correctly.

It is so important that we have written and published 2 articles about this in the local paper.

Kids' Feet and Footcare

School Shoes

One of the best brands of school shoe are StartRite which are available here on the coast through Elle Morgan's boutiques. For the start of term she is offering a 20% discount and special school shoe fittings:

Rogue Therapists

2011-08-29T17:02:00.004+02:00

When looking for medical help in the UK, no one would think to check their practitioner’s qualifications. The UK is well regulated and many professional titles are legally protected from misuse. Here on the Costa del Sol however it is a different story. There is less legislation and therefore it is much easier for any Tom, Dick or Harry to set themselves up offering medical help by calling themselves a “therapist” without always having all the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and legal support.

To protect yourself, always check that your therapist, of whatever description, is legal and licensed to practice here in Spain. In Spain therapists are legislated by Colegios. These are governmental organisations which regulate and check the qualifications of their members and it doesn’t matter how highly qualified your doctor or therapist is in their home country, if they don’t have a Colegio number, they are illegal in Spain!

Feet and Diabetes

2011-08-25T10:33:00.019+02:00

The foot issues arising from diabetes are serious, can be difficult to treat and may lead to further complications yet studies demonstrate that amongst diabetics, foot health is consistently overlooked. Foot screening is central to diabetes management and is recommended in all established guidelines. In a worst case scenario, if the risk factors of an injury are not identified early and appropriate treatment implemented, the risk of lower limb amputation rises significantly!

When it comes to diabetes and feet, prevention is key. If diabetes is poorly controlled for a long period of time, this may lead to:

Nerve damage, or “peripheral neuropathy”

This impairs sensation to the feet or may mean a person loses full sensation in their feet

Reduced blood supply or poor circulation.

Circulatory problems mean that any injuries or infections to the feet i.e. cuts, burns, scratches etc will take longer to heal. Most foot problems in people with diabetes occur when injuries and often infections go unnoticed and untreated, or when healing is delayed due to poor circulation.

Craniosacral Osteopathy

2011-08-22T16:07:00.008+02:00

Craniosacral osteopathy is a very gentle, yet powerful, hands on form of treatment that encourages the body back to “stillness” where healing can take place. It is suitable for everyone from the youngest baby to the oldest man or woman, however it is more and more associated with easing the effects of birth trauma in babies. Craniosacral osteopathy can, of course, be effective as a general therapy to help people feel well and get themselves back in “balance”.

The treatment is all about “listening” to the body’s intrinsic rhythms and pulsations for patterns of congestion and resistance using touch, not manipulation. Through this deep listening, the therapist encourages a rebalancing and revitalisation of the system and assists in the release of resistances and tensions in the tissues and fluids of the body.

At the core of treatment are the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord. Gentle palpation of these membranes and subtle observation of the essential fluid allows the release of many restrictions in the body.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

2011-08-20T12:00:00.008+02:00

When Carole, our acupuncturist, said she was training in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture and might need a couple of volunteers there was a rush as to who could get their hands up fastest! As the Directors of Bodyworks, Bob and myself shamelessly pulled rank and got the spots.

The details of the Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture are on our website, but this is our first hand experience.

The treatment itself
The each session of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is actually wonderfully relaxing. And there is no pain at all. Each session takes about 1 hour and I looked forward to them as I often fell asleep! First Carole does the acupuncture which she follows with a facial acupressure massage to help soothe the skin and reinforce the acupuncture work.

The Before and After
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Check your own breasts

2011-08-19T11:47:00.002+02:00

One of the easiest ways to prevent big problems is to get to know your body. Then if something changes even slightly you notice it quickly and can get it addressed.

So you need to get to know your breasts. Then if there are any changes you can quickly and easily get them checked out. Stay in control of your health.

This information can also be downloaded as a PDF file.

Breast Cancer and Inflammation

2011-08-17T14:56:00.007+02:00

It took 12 years and the creation of a highly sophisticated transgenic mouse, but the researchers at Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University in the USA have finally proven a long suspected theory – Inflammation in the breast is key to the development and progression of breast cancer.

Inflammation in the breast is now definitively proven to promote breast cancer - activating the cancer stem cells which cause the development of a tumour in the breast.

This research, published in the December 15^th 2010 issue of “Cancer Research”, an American scientific journal, explains that reducing inflammation in the mouse’s breast (the researchers “turned off” a specific inflammation gene) stopped the onset and progression of breast cancer. In fact they found that if they stopped inflammation then the mice, who were programmed to develop breast cancer, did not develop tumours at all.

Specialist Knee Clinic

2011-08-15T15:30:00.002+02:00

The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most complex. Within the joint are 4 bones, more than 20 muscles each with a tendon, 4 major ligaments as well as many little ones and at least 3 layers of cartilage.

Around 40,000 people have a knee replacement every year and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men have significant and persistent knee pain.

Many patients are offered a course of anti-inflammatory tablets by their GPs or else a cortisone injection. Many forward thinking doctors now avoid cortisone injections as they have been shown to “rot” ligaments and tendons. So while helping pain in the short term they create massive long term problems.

Heart Health

2011-08-11T16:26:00.015+02:00

In the UK, heart disease is still the biggest killer taking 1 in 3 of men and women but this is a preventable disease. One of the biggest risk factors in heart disease is cholesterol and in a recent study, this was linked to 45% of heart attacks in Western Europe.

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is made in the liver and found in certain foods. In the right amounts, cholesterol is vital for the body and is needed to make vitamin D and some hormones, build cell walls, create bile salts that help you digest fat etc.

Generally we talk about 3 types of cholesterol – HDL, LDL and Triglycerides or “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.

Tennis Elbow

2011-07-21T17:51:00.012+02:00

Tennis Elbow is a condition that affects the elbow (strangely enough) and also (strangely enough), it is named after the sport that commonly causes the problem. However, be aware that you don’t need to play tennis to suffer and it is much more commonly seen in people who are using their arm doing something else. Maybe it should be called "plasterer's elbow" or "mechanic's elbow" or "painter's elbow" as it is basically an overuse injury!

Baker's Cyst

2011-07-20T17:32:00.004+02:00

A Baker’s Cyst is not what happens to a baker but is a condition first described by a UK surgeon William Morrant Baker (1839 – 1896). In essence, a Baker’s Cyst is a distress signal from the knee and often occurs under stressful conditions such as after an injury or arthritis. About one half of Baker’s Cysts are found in children and are usually painless except for a slight discomfort and stiffness. The most common age range of the remainder is in adults between 50 and 60 years of age.

Estelle Mitchell, Chartered Physiotherapist says that “Most of the joints in the body (the knee included) owe much of their freedom of movement to synovial fluid. This is produced by the tissue that lines the inside of the joint and in the case of the knee, it lubricates the knee’s cartilage and tendons and reduces friction between the moving parts. At the back of the knee, there is a soft area that swelling collects in, basically because the knee cap acts like a lid. In this soft area there is a release valve and when the pressure builds, this blows up and gets inflamed. The trouble is, this is a one way valve only! Once this has become inflamed, it can be very painful, feeling like an egg or a jelly filled balloon at the back of the knee and makes bending the knee uncomfortable. It does go down slowly but this can depend on how often it has happened and how inflamed the knee gets.”

High Arch Foot

2011-07-19T12:13:00.008+02:00

Pes cavus is the medical term for a foot having a very high arch, this foot type keeps its high-arched appearance even when weight bearing. This type of foot is much less common than a flat foot (pes planus) but like flat feet, high arches can still lead to major problems.

In some cases, the cause of high arch feet is just a normal variation (i.e. some people just have higher arches), in some cases there may be an underlying neurological problem that is causing it but the main cause is hereditary i.e. it runs in the family. Pes cavus usually affects both feet and again, is usually apparent at an early age.

Symptoms

The high arched foot is very poor at absorbing the shock of heel strike during the gait cycle, creating abnormal stresses on the soft tissues of the heel and mid-tarsal joints. The shock can be transmitted up the kinetic chain to the ankle, knees, hips and lower back and pain in one or more of these areas is fairly common.

Taking the Pain out of Gardening

2011-07-18T12:13:00.002+02:00

In recent years gardening has proved to be one of the favoured British pastimes proving a great pleasure to many and this enjoyment is not diminished on reaching Spanish shores. In fact, there are many different challenges to gardening here in Spain but one thing is common, come the spring many of us will venture out with our mowers and spades oblivious to the onset of pain that may well occur at the end of our toil.

Exercise is the key to staying healthy and although gardening is an enjoyable way of achieving this, it can also cause many problems for bodies that come out of winter hibernation. Gardening seems relaxing and suitable for anyone but in reality, it can involve some of the toughest physical work a person does all year! Even in a small garden, there's digging, raking, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying which uses muscles that perhaps haven't been exercised for weeks or months. The end result, hopefully a nice looking garden but also various aches from back pain to tennis elbow!

Estelle Mitchell, Consultant Physiotherapist

2011-07-15T12:25:00.002+02:00

What is Physiotherapy?

The aim of a Chartered Physiotherapist is to relieve or stop pain, restore movement and to return the body to its natural state.

Estelle Mitchell

English Chartered Physiotherapist
MCSP, SRP, HPC, OCPPP
Grad Dip Phys
Col No 2070
Musculoskeletal Specialist

Consultant at Bodyworks Health Clinic

Physiotherapy is a complex profession treating a wide variety of problems. Estelle Mitchell, Consultant Physiotherapist is a Musculoskeletal specialist, meaning that she specialises in bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Treatment can cover issues ranging from a simple injury to rehabilitation after a fracture or surgery, long standing joint disease, gynaecological problems to chest and neurological conditions.

When it comes to problems with the mechanics of the body, Chartered Physiotherapists are the detectives of the medical profession and Estelle as a Consultant Physiotherapist is a specialist in helping the body work as efficiently as possible without pain.

Who we are

2011-07-14T11:43:00.001+02:00

The Bodyworks Health Clinic is a unique concept for health care in the Marbella, Malaga area of Andalucia, Spain run by Clinical Director and English Chartered Physiotherapist, Estelle Mitchell.

Since 2004, the main focus has been, and still is, on patient care through proper, careful and accurate diagnosis. Once we understand the true cause of a problem, often using our Thermal Imaging technology in conjunction with detailed clinical assessments, we can then put together the best treatment plan to meet your individual needs.
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