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5 Top Tips for Beating Winter Aches and Pains

Posted on by Jeremy James

With winter approaching so begins the cold and blustery weather that can leave our bodies feeling tight, tired and fragile – particularly for those who suffer with muscle or joint pain.

Here we offer five top tips for keeping aches and pains at bay this winter, helping to avoid soreness and discomfort during the winter months.

winter aches and pains

Try to exercise

Maintaining regular exercise through the winter can help to keep our muscles and joints more flexible and relaxed despite the chilly conditions. Whatever activity you choose, always remember to stretch and warm up before hand, so to avoid pulls and strains of the affected areas.

Change your diet

Alterations to our diet over the winter period can help to ease muscle and joint complaints. Omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin C and Vitamin D are all essential to maintaining our bodies through cold weather so aim to eat plenty of oily fish, vegetables and citrus fruits such as oranges.

Stay hydrated

Although we tend to favour hot drinks such as tea and coffee during the winter it is also important to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated during the colder months can have a positive effect on muscle and joint injuries as it helps to keeps our body tissues healthy.

Remember to relax

It is important to take to time to relax and recline during the winter, allowing our bodies to rest and heal. If you suffer from muscle and joint pain it is also recommended to regularly enjoy a long, hot bath – as this encourages blood vessels to dilate and relaxes the muscles.

Consider Osteopathic treatment

Osteopathic treatment can help to ease seasonal aches and pains through the moving, stretching and massage of affected muscles in order to improve function, preventing issues from re-occurring and working to increase mobility and manage discomfort.

Get in touch

At Solihull Osteopathic Practice we believe that relief from pain can be achieved by careful diagnosis and a clear plan of holistic treatment. To find out more about how we may be able to help beat winter aches and pains, please call our friendly team on 0121 705 4499.

Osteopathy Treatment During Pregnancy

Posted on by Jeremy James

pregnancy

Though it is a natural and life-changing experience, pregnancy can have a pronounced effect on the body that can result in prolonged issues with pain and posture.

Here we look at the changes that occur during pregnancy, the effects this can have on the function of the female body and the relief that can be offered by osteopathic treatment.

How the body changes

The most common changes for pregnant women include weight gain, increased breast size and the stretching of the uterus and abdominal muscles in order to accommodate the growth of the baby and eventual labour.

Together, these rapid changes to the composition and frame of body can be difficult to adapt to, leading to a number of issues that can cause discomfort through the pregnancy that may continue after giving birth.

Possible side-effects

Women can experience a number of issues attributed to the hormonal and physical changes that occur naturally as part of pregnancy, normally causing varying levels of discomfort, aches and pains.

These include increased strain and tension on muscles and joints surrounding the neck, shoulders, hips and knees, added pressure on the spine and lower back, abdominal pain and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction.

Other side effects include headaches, breathlessness, nausea, heartburn, sciatica, circulatory issuers and swelling of the legs and feet.

How can Osteopathic treatment help?

Osteopathic treatment can help women experiencing skeletal and muscle pain during pregnancy by taking a holistic approach to easing discomfort.

During an initial consultation, a trained Osteopath will discuss the issues that are being experienced and following a brief physical assessment, will make recommendations of the treatments that may provide relief.

Methods include soft tissue massage to help relieve tension and strain, exercises and stretches tailored to help modify posture and realign the spine and pelvis, and even advice on breathing techniques and exercises that can aid well-being.

Get in touch

Ultimately, the aim of osteopathic treatment is to relieve pressure and manage pain throughout your pregnancy.

At Solihull Osteopathic Practice we believe that some relief from pain can be achieved by careful diagnosis and a clear plan of holistic treatment. To find out more about how we may be able to help, please call our friendly team on 0121 705 4499.

Osteopathic Treatment for Back Pain

Posted on by Jeremy James

Of all the complaints that osteopaths treat, back pain is certainly one of the most common. It can affect people of all ages and as many as eight out of ten of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our life. In most cases, back pain isn’t serious and will usually be resolved without treatment within a few days or weeks. However, there’s no doubt that back pain can be extremely painful and troublesome, making it hard to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Causes and symptoms of back pain

Back pain can be brought on by many different actions, such as bending down, lifting something, moving awkwardly, an accident, or even getting up out of a chair. However, there are other occasions where back pain arises without any specific injury. Factors such as stress and depression, poor posture, being overweight, lack of exercise and other bad lifestyle habits can be causes of back pain.

Symptoms of back pain can be extremely varied, from a little tenderness or stiffness, to mild or even severe pain. In some cases, pain can be very sudden (after an accident or an awkward movement), or it can develop over time. Back pain can also be located anywhere along the spine, from the pelvis and lower back, to the neck. Often, back pain can make it difficult to stand up straight without pain, or your range of movement may be diminished to some extent.

When symptoms of back pain are a result of strain or misuse, they are normally only short-lived, but can last for a few days or weeks in some cases. When pain has been present for three months or longer, it is classed as chronic back pain.

back pain

Treating back pain

If back pain persists for more than a few days, although it can take much longer than that to clear up, it’s important to visit a doctor or osteopath. Osteopaths are highly trained in diagnosing back pain and commonly treat patients suffering from problems including:

  • Acute back pain
  • Chronic back pain
  • Mechanical back pain
  • Lumbago
  • Sciatica
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Some disc problems

Osteopathic treatment is different for every patient; however, it may include a wide range of manual techniques including gentle manipulations, soft tissue massage and joint articulations to help release tension, stretch muscles, mobilise the joints and help to relieve aches and pains.

Osteopaths can also provide advice on preventing future back pain, including stretches and exercises, posture and relaxation.

If you have questions about back pain or need to book an appointment at Solihull Osteopathic Practice, please call 0121 705 4499.

Treating Dance Injuries with Osteopathy

Posted on by Jeremy James

dance injuries

Dancing is an immensely challenging sport, like no other. The physical demand on your body is incredible, as it requires a lot of strength, flexibility and stamina, putting you at high risk of injury.

Dancers are often expected to complete repetitive movements for long hours and research has shown that working like this for over five hours a day can increase your risk of stress fractures and similar injuries.

Due to having no “off season”, a lot of dancers receive minimal recovery time and continue with intensive training. If they are operating on unhealthy body weights and to strict diets, this will also increase their risk of injury. Continue reading →