Wellbeing and Nature – by Physio Deal Kent

Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.

  • Being in nature can improve creativity and problem-solving.
  • Individuals with depression can benefit from being in nature.
  • A nature walk can also help your physical health.

How to bring nature into your life

So what are some easy ways to bring nature into our lives? Here are some tips and tricks from the experts on how to engage with nature:

Plant a garden at home, or get involved in a local community group that protects and maintains a natural habitat in your local area. This will increase your physical activity and time spent outside, while also bettering the green spaces in your town.

Bring plants into your office and home. These will enhance the aesthetic appeal of where you work and live and improve air quality.

Exercise outside. You need to exercise anyway, so why not maximise the health benefits by doing so in nature?

Display images of nature at home and at work. These might be photos or artworks of places you’ve been to or places you’d like to visit in the future – like a bucket list of green places that will motivate you every day.

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Sports physio deal

Lactic Acid – The Myths

If you ask most people what they think lactic acid is they will often say “its causing the burn” in the muscles after being used for intensive exercise. For near a century it was thought and widely taught that lactic acid produced by the muscles through anaerobic metabolism is responsible for this burn and resultant muscle fatigue, but in reality this simply isn’t true and there has actually never been any scientific evidence to suggest this is the case!

If neither lactate, nor lactic acid causes muscle burn, then what does?

ATP – a substance used as an energy source by your cells. During exercise, your body uses large quantities of ATP to meet your muscle cells’ high energy demand. When you use this ATP, it produces a proton.

And what happens when protons are produced? The area becomes more acidic. As the protons increase in number they come into contact with nerves near the muscles, creating the sensation known as muscle burn. As you continue to work your muscles, you use more ATP, producing protons and increasing the acid in the muscles.

None of this involves lactate or lactic acid.

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Pregnancy and sitting posture at work

Ergonomics and pregnancy – are you sitting comfortably?

Your posture can change during pregnancy to accommodate your growing baby bump. With this the arch of the back sometimes become more pronounced. When sitting at a computer workstation it is worth checking to see if the chair needs to adjust with your changing body.

Follow the simple steps below to ensure that you are achieving the most optimal posture when pregnant and ensuring you are comfortable when working.

  • As your bump grows is may be more comfortable to increase your sitting angle (from 90 – 120°), this means sitting with the front of the seat slightly lowered and the back rest reclined slightly.
  • Your legs should not be crossed.
  • Feet should be flat on the floor.
  • Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. Stand up and walk every 30 minutes. Incorporating more activity throughout the day will keep blood circulating and will help to reduce some common pregnancy issues, including sciatica, varicose veins, blood clots, and swollen ankles. To increase movement, talk face-to-face with a co-worker instead of using email, get a drink of water, or walk to the printer to retrieve a document.
  • Some pregnant women experience some form of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially during their third trimester. Usually a result of irritation on the median nerve caused by fine finger movements, carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by swelling from water retention. Keeping your wrists in a neutral posture, and keeping your hands, wrists, and forearms in a straight line when working, will reduce the incidence.
  • Use a footrest, to prop up your feet when in a seated position. Elevating your feet will reduce swelling in the feet and ankles.
  • Keep commonly-used objects within close proximity. A growing belly makes reaching for objects more and more difficult. The keyboard, mouse, and even your phone, should be kept near the edge of your work surface. Moving objects closer to you, even an inch, will improve back and shoulder comfort.
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To stretch or not to stretch – Physio Deal Kent

Summary of efficacy of stretching in the workplace to prevent/minimise risk of injury

Stretching just doesn’t have the effects that most people hope it does. Plentiful research has shown that it doesn’t warm you up, prevent soreness or injury, enhance performance, or physically change muscles. Although it can boost flexibility, the value of this is unclear, and no other measurable and significant benefit to stretching has ever been proven. Interestingly there is the strength loss resulting from acute static stretching has been termed, “stretch-induced strength loss”.

A systematic review of the literature (albeit in 2006) for the efficiency or performing a warm up routine found, ‘there is insufficient evidence to endorse or discontinue routine warm-up prior to physical activity to prevent injury among sports participants. However, the weight of evidence is in favour of a decreased risk of injury. Further well-conducted randomised controlled trials are needed to determine the role of warming up prior to exercise in relation to injury prevention.’

Stretching: The evidence

  • Stretching is not an effective warmup
  • Stretching does not prevent exercise soreness
  • Stretching does not prevent injury
  • Stretching can cause injuries (if not done correctly and gives false confidence)
  • Stretching does increase flexibility – but so what!

One shortcoming of this research is that many of the studies on the effectiveness of stretching programs rely on subjective rather than objective measurements. Demonstrating an improvement in self-ratings of an overall feeling of well-being does not address the impact on human performance or injury reduction. Some of the objective measures used do not translate directly to impact on the job. For instance, demonstrating that a workplace stretching programme improved range of motion among employees does not indicate that the programme was effective in meeting its primary goal of reducing MSD injuries. The real question is whether the stretching program actually reduces injury rates.

Cost of stretching programme and ROI

One comment could be that “stretching might not be proven to reduce injuries but it does not cost anything to do.” However, in reality, the time taken to implement employer-mandated stretching programmes does add up, and must include the time when production and work is not performed.

Stretching programmes add measurable non-value-added cost for results that are not yet proven to be successful. In contrast, engineering controls have consistently delivered successful results when applied to reducing MSDs. With limited resources available to invest in the prevention of MSDs, it makes sense to pursue proven methods. Research by Goggins, et al. (2008) showed that engineering controls were much more cost-effective (40-100%) than controls that rely on behaviours in reducing MSDs numbers, incidence rates, lost work days, and workers’ compensation costs.

Stretching should not be part of an ergonomics programme, ergonomics is ‘The science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population’  – stretching is about trying the change the worker and therefore does not fit in this definition.

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Get the Most From Your Physiotherapy Appointments

3 Top Tips for Getting More Out of Your Physiotherapy Appointments

Follow our three tops tips, which you can easily do beforehand to ensure you get the most out of your sessions:

  1. Prepare to Bare

For an accurate assessment we need to see the area you need treating and assess the areas above and below this. Prepare yourself for this ahead of time and ensure you are appropriately dressed. If you’re being seen to treat your shoulder, be prepared to slip off your top or for ladies, wear a top with very skinny straps if you prefer. Short shorts are fantastic for leg conditions. It is also helpful to bring along your trainers or other pairs of shoes you wear often – physios can determine a lot from a pair of shoes! That being said your comfort and dignity throughout the assessment and treatment is important and is always considered.

  1. Think About Your Symptoms

A key part of the assessment is the history of your symptoms. This enables the us to clearly diagnose the problem and set irritability levels. This gives us a better idea of how much we can do in a session without potentially making you sore afterwards. Have a good think about your symptoms, write them down and bring them to your appointment if you think this will make it easier. Consider things like:

  • The history of the problem – when did it start? Is it the same, getting better or worse since it started? Is it the first time of having this problem? Have you had any investigations like blood tests, scans or X-rays?
  • Have you had any previous treatment?
  • What things make the problem worse and what things make it better?
  • Do you have more pain at night or first thing in the morning?
  • What medications are you on? It might be useful to bring a list with you.
  • What would you like to get out of the treatment e.g. returning to sports, walking further, reduced pain etc.
  1. Be Honest About Your Homework

Every patient will have some form of home management plan or home exercise plan. Sometimes a new routine can be tricky to find time for and so being honest about the amount you have been able to do is very important. If we are not clear on what you have managed to do this can make a diagnosis and treatment plan more difficult. If you are having trouble with the exercise programme we can help think of some ways to fit this into your day.

If you follow these tips this will help you get the most out of your physio appointments.

You can visit us at Discovery Park, Sandwich and Walmer, Deal.

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Tired of poor health reporting? Bad Science?

Behind the Headlines

Behind the headlines is an NHS website that lets you read into the actual science or research behind some of the attention grabbing headlines we read. Too often we are presented with headlines such as, ‘coffee causes cancer’ and ‘bananas can kill you’. Often these stories originate from studies taken out of context and in reality only if several tonne of bananas are ingested does this prove to be an issue…and good luck to anyone who can eat several tonnes of bananas! These titles are quite humorous but there are times when we can make important decisions about our health based on health information out in the public domain. We need to make sensible informed choices using sound science, not believing the bad science presented to us in popular media.

Take a look at your guide to the science that makes the news.

https://www.nhs.uk/news/

 

 

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Occupational Health Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is clinically effective and cost effective in the provision of occupational health services and getting people back to work

They have a role in proactively promoting health and well-being in the work environment and can improve the safety, comfort and performance of the working population. This reduces accidents and sickness absence, and helps to improve productivity and performance.

Occupational Health physio are involved with a wide range of services to both employers and employees including:

  • Physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation of work-relevant injuries;
  • return to work planning;
  • improving an employee’s tolerance to work gradually;
  • educating others on injury prevention in the workplace;
  • ergonomics workplace assessments (including DSE);
  • health promotion;
  • job task analysis and advice on modifications;
  • occupational  and vocational rehabilitation;
  • functional capacity evaluations;
  • helping employers meet their obligations under the Equality Act;
  • advice on compliance with Health and Safety obligations; specialist knowledge of manual handling and physical ergonomics in the office and workplace;
  • communication and reporting in order to facilitate return to work.

At United Health we are passionate about occupational health. Maintaining a healthy workforce and helping in early recovery back to work is important on an individual and societal level and we are here to help.

 

 

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Wellbeing – Physio Deal Kent

Wellbeing means different things to different people and there are many definitions. Many refer to aspects of the physical and mental but go beyond the basic definition of health.

There are also references to financial stability, social satisfaction and personal fulfilment. Below are some examples of what wellbeing can mean;

  • the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
  • the experience of quality of life, including working life.
  • it is about ‘how we are doing’ as individuals, communities and as a nation and how sustainable this is for the future.

The UK ONS (office national statistics) defined 10 broad dimensions of wellbeing;

  1. The natural environment – Within offices this might include live plants and access to outside space and natural light. Plants are a simple way to help bring nature into the office. Studies have shown that indoor plants can reduce stress levels  in the work environment and improve productivity.  Plants also remove pollutants from the air including benzene (found in some plastics and fabrics) and formaldehyde (found in cosmetics, carpet cleaner and fabric softener)
  2. Personal well-being – This is a particularly important dimension which we define as how satisfied we are with our lives; our sense that what we do in life is worthwhile (including our work), our day to day emotional experiences (happiness and anxiety) and our wider mental wellbeing.
  3. Our relationships – Which is relevant to both in and outside the office
  4. Health – A healthy workplace needs provisions in place to support colleagues mental and physical health
  5. What we do
  6. Where we live
  7. Personal finance – Workplace support mechanism for advice on personal financial issues including pension planning…
  8. The economy
  9. Education and skills – Within the workplace this might include opportunity for personal growth and development.
  10. Governance – This might refer to the wider society and the workplace and includes things like sense of control and decision making.

Designing office spaces and work environment that allow flexibility of movement, giving  colleagues some choice and control over how and where they work increases wellbeing, staff engagement and productivity.

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Ergonomics – Physio Deal Kent

Ergonomics is about fitting the job and the workplace to the person. Ergonomics applies information about human behaviour, abilities and limitations and other characteristics to the design of tools, machines, tasks, jobs and environments for productive, safe, comfortable and effective human use.

A number of factors play a role in ergonomics; these include body posture and movement (sitting, standing, lifting, pulling and pushing), and environmental factors (noise, lighting, temperature, humidity).

Organisational and psychological demands can also affect the likelihood of injury. This might include time pressures on colleagues or mental overload.

There is a wealth of information on the Health and Safety Executive website on what companies need to do in order to manage their ergonomic hazards.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/

There are some legislative requirements relating to the responsibilities of employers in relation to ergonomics. These include:

If you would like help on ensuring compliance with ergonomics legislation and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your employees contact us today.

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Preparing for the slopes….

A certain level of cardiovascular fitness and strength will be required if you want to make the most out of every day on the slopes and still have the energy for the all important après ski at the end of the day.

Try to do some light exercise before you head for the slopes – a light run, walk, or even opting to take the stairs over the lift will make all the difference to your overall stamina once you arrive in resort.

There are also a couple of really easy exercises that you can do at home. Your main focus should be on your quadriceps, glutes and calf muscles and a strong core is also really important.

1. Squats

Your thighs (quads) are probably the hardest working muscles when you are skiing. Squats are one of the best, not to mention easiest ways of building strength in your legs.

Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.

Push your hips back.

Bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor.

Keep your knees behind your toes.

Stand back up and repeat.

Repeat until moderate fatigue (until you feel at 80% of your maximum effort).

Top tip: If you want to make this a little harder, do the exact same motion but with a weight in each hand.

2. Squat Jump

Take the squat to the next level with a squat jump. Not only will this exercise continue to strengthen your legs, it will also help to develop explosiveness in the quads and glutes.

Start with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Squat down so your thighs are parallel to the floor, then jump high in the air.

Try to do four sets of four with a short break to catch your breath between each set.

Top tip: Try to land as softly as you can on your feet.

3. Wall squats

Wall squats are great for building endurance which will help to prevent the burning feeling in your legs on long, tough runs.

Find a clear wall, stand with your back resting against the wall.

Move down into your squat position.

Hold the position for as long as you can.

Try to repeat two to four times with a short break in between each go.

Top tip: Really push your back and backside against the wall for best results.

4. Lunges

Lunges are great not only for strength but for balance too.

Start with your feet together.

Step one leg forward and bend down so the front leg forms a right angle. Your back leg should be almost touching the floor.

Repeat until moderate fatigue (until you feel at 80% of your maximum effort).

Top tip: Keep your upper body straight, with your shoulders back and relaxed and chin up. Try to keep your core engaged at all times.

5. The Plank

You use your core muscles around your lower back and abdominal muscles a lot more than you would think when skiing, especially when you are turning or taking on more technical terrain.

Lie flat on the floor.

Rest your elbows in the floor, push up your hips and rest only on your elbows and toes.

Hold the position for 60 seconds.

Repeat the exercise on either side. Lift yourself onto one elbow and the side of your foot to work your oblique muscles.

Top tip: Do not let your hips dip. Your body should form a relatively straight line when in the air.

 

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Occupational Health Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists use education, exercise and manual therapy techniques to restore movement and function when someone has an injury. Physiotherapists who help to improve the health and wellbeing of workers so that they can do their jobs efficiently and effectively are called occupational health (OH) physiotherapists. At United Health Kent our passion is OH physiotherapy.

What do Occupational Health Physiotherapists do?

OH physiotherapists can be found in all sorts of work settings including manufacturing, offices, retail, public sector and private practice. They have a role in proactively promoting health and well-being in the work environment and can improve the safety, comfort and performance of the working population. This reduces accidents and sickness absence, and helps to improve productivity and performance.

Like most OH physiotherapists we are members of The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPHOE) and provide a wide range of services to both employers and employees including:

  • Physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation either onsite or at our clinics
  • Return to work planning and facilitating the reporting of the RTW plan
  • Educating colleagues and management about injury prevention
  • Ergonomics workplace assessments (both DSE and manual handling as well as wider ergnomic assessments)
  • Health promotion
  • Occupational health capability assessments
  • Helping employers meet their statuary obligations
  • Advice on compliance with Health and Safety obligations.

There are significant benefits for both employers and employees in having OH physiotherapists in the workplace. By tackling problems or potential problems early on, the likelihood of them becoming long lasting is reduced. This improves the health and wellbeing of the working population, helps people stay in work and results in cost savings for companies.

If you are interesting in knowing more about OH physiotherapy contact us today.

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Lets Talk About Running

By far the most common injuries associated with running are plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, ITB friction syndrome and stress fractures.

The risk of injury obviously increases with the more miles you do in your training each week, this is not rocket science, the longer you run the more steps you take so the risk of an overuse injury rises. The problem with only running is that you tend to over load areas that are already struggling, and don’t address the biomechanical issues that you might need to in order to run more efficiently and pain free.

Common issues are poor ankle mobility and calf weakness which can be linked with Achilles and plantar fascia overload. Another common issue in the foot is limitation in the big toe mobility (halux) due to bunion formation. If we make our way up to the knee the ITB can become a concern when it persistently rubs against the lateral epicondyle (bony ridge on the outside of the femur). This is commonly linked in with core and gluteal weakness (lack of hip strength).

Another common issue is maltracking of the kneecap. Commonly this is due to weakness in the quadriceps, particularly the inside muscle called the VMO.

So to help avoid a lot of these injuries runners must get to know their body well and more importantly know what their weak areas are. Key areas to address with runners is tightness in the soleous (calf muscle), lateral (outer quad), ankle mobility, first toe mobility, quadriceps strength, glute med and max strength and of course your core stability.

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Computer Ergonomics for Kids

Children are more sedentary then ever and part of this is due to the changes in technology. Children use computers at school and at home for a variety of tasks. Part of their IT education needs to include how to keep themselves healthy when using this type of equipment. This is helpful to prevent overuse injuries and also set up good practice for later on in life.

When children use a computer, they should follow the same principles as adults, maintaining a neutral posture. This can be a challenge as most workstation products are designed for adults. However it is possible to create a child-friendly workspace, and by promoting healthy habits, parents can help their children avoid injury.

Child Friendly ‘Workstation’

An ideal set up would be a fully adjustable chair and desk that can ‘grow’ with the child. In the absence of adjustable furniture adapting the seat and work space is an alternative. For example:

  • Use a box or books to rest feet on – this ensures the feet a well-supported.
  • Use a cushion behind the child – to support the back in a neutral posture.
  • Use a cushion to sit on to raise the child in the chair – this helps to ensure the child’s arms are at the right height to the desk/table.
  • Place a laptop up on books and use a separate keyboard and mouse – this helps to encourage a more neutral neck and back posture.
  • Since children have smaller hands than adults, traditional keyboards and mice are generally too large for them to operate comfortably. A smaller keyboard or mouse, designed specifically for children, can be a valuable accessory.

And remember to move, encourage your child to break often from sedentary tasks. Every 30 minutes a break that involves standing and moving around should be encouraged.

Laptops, iPad’s and phones are designed for short periods of use. They are not designed for hours or play or work – the small screens and keyboards mean that we tend to bend our necks down and move our hands into more awkward postures. Prolonged computer work should be done as detailed above, sitting comfortably.

With their growing bodies, children are just as susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries as adults. Some simple steps can prevent these injuries and help children to begin healthy ergonomic habits that will last a lifetime.

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Marathon Training and Injury Prevention

There are a number of training plans for preparing your body for a marathon. Preparation is key and without appropriate training, running can be an exhausting and potentially painful experience. As physiotherapists we often see runners with injuries. These can be biomechanial in nature, overuse, or simply poor training and preparation. The most common of which are Achilles Tendinopathy, Patello-femoral pain, Plantar-fasciitis, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin spints) and stress fracture of the foot or tibia.

So What Can I Do?

Make sure you include longer slow paced runs in your marathon training programme.
The ability to perform prolonged endurance exercise is strongly influenced by the amount of glycogen (glycogen = stored form of glucose/fuel source) stored in muscles. A marathon requires the largest glycogen storage capacity possible. Longer runs serve as a stimulus to the body by depleting the muscle’s glycogen stores and forcing them to rely on fat stores as a fuel source.

It is also ok to sacrifice speed for mileage, you should drop your pace for your longer runs quite significantly to a pace where you can carry out a conversation. Don’t be afraid that this will result in a loss of fitness, quite the contrary, it will allow for your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones to adapt to the new stress you are putting on your body. As a consequence you will be less likely to experience injuries such as those mentioned above.

How Often Should I Train?

A beginner marathoner, you should ideally train 4 times a week. It is generally considered sensible to incorporate both longer runs (as mentioned previously) and interval training that incorporates speed work into your programme. On all other days you should give your body a rest from running.

Rest and recovery in your training schedules will likely result in less injury and more consistent running. The key is to stress or overload your body with a hard workout and then to allow it to recover while it adapts. To improve, a runner must progressively overload his or her system with more frequency, intensity, or duration of training efforts.

There are many different marathon training programs out there, and many different opinions on what the optimum amount of time needed to prepare is, however you should consider beginning your training at least 5 months before the race.

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How to keep your staff healthy – health and ergonomics tips

Around half of industrial injuries are thought to be attributed to cumulative trauma or overuse injury. These can range from troublesome annoyances, to severe debilitation. There are a number of steps that employers can take to minimise repetitive strain injury within your workforce.

1. Identify and correct postural problems The aim is to eliminate fixed positions which impose static loads on the muscles of the back, neck, shoulders and arms. Poor or improperly-adjusted equipment, furniture or layout is often to blame.

2. Identify and eliminate forceful movements The worst are those which involve fingers, hands and wrists, especially with bending or twisting. Check tools, knobs, processes, postures. Do things fit? Is maintenance happening?

3. Identify and break up periods of repetitive work The aim is physical variety; use rest pauses and alternated tasks. Consult staff before introducing job rotation.

4. Ensure that any tell-tale early-warning signs are noticed and acted upon Supervisors and staff alike will require training and incentives to do this. It is essential to encourage a climate in which early reporting is encouraged.

5. Educate supervisors in the recognition and correction of faulty workplace set-out and procedures They should then be accountable for managing this.

6. Train staff to recognise and adjust their own workstations properly The benefits of “ergonomic” furniture may otherwise be lost. Be sure to include thorough instruction for all new staff.

7. Identify and control work peaks These can be daily, weekly or even annually; individual work loads need monitoring.

8. Know which staff are most vulnerable to overuse strain New staff (how thorough is your induction?); those returning from leave; jerky or tense workers; staff using hands and fingers a lot.

9. Identify and control sources of individual pressures These may be related to work output requirements, to ‘pacing’ by workmates, to supervisors’ attitudes – or even personal problems. Financial need may push vulnerable staff into harmful overtime. Bonus systems can be bad.

10. Educate managers, engineers and designers in preventive measures Once they know about ergonomics, they should be able to apply it quickly.

11. Require equipment suppliers to conform to your ergonomic specifications

12. Support those who are off work sick Letting people know you care about their welfare and recovery will help them a great deal. Weekly phone contact at least; consider what light duties could facilitate an early return to work.

13. Develop a relationship with treating doctors/physios Let them know you’re keen to help. Ask them to give specific advice to assist even a partial return-to-work. Invite them to visit you.

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10 ways to get active with your kids

Children are more sedendary than ever and rising obesity levels means that we are seeing children with musculoskeletal issues at a younger age. See the NHS website for some useful tips on how to encourge your children to be active.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Getactivewithyourkids.aspx

10 ways to make exercise fun

1. Walk, scooter or cycle to and from school together as often as possible.

2. Build a den or treehouse with them in the school holidays. Or, under supervision, encourage them to climb a tree or two.

3. Go roller skating, rollerblading or skateboarding, indoors or outside. In winter, go ice skating.

4. Do an activity challenge together, such as training for a fun run or charity walk.

5. Take the dog for a walk. If you don’t have one of your own, ask if you can borrow a friend or neighbour’s dog.

6. Support your kids in sports, clubs or any other activities that may interest them. Joining a weekend club sport encourages them to make a commitment to a team and regular exercise.

7. Find time every weekend to do something active with your children. Play frisbee or football in the park, go trampolining, or try indoor rock climbing.

8. Fly a kite.

9. Take a trip to the beach. Beaches offer loads of ways for kids to get active, including games, rock-pooling, swimming, and plenty of running around. Or try an activity-based holiday.

10. Try a guided walk or children’s fun days to give you ideas for active days out.

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Surgery V Exercise

Physiotherapy that encourages gentle exercise is better than surgery for patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knees, according to new research.

A panel of experts in surgery, physiotherapy and clinical practice worked together to make the judgement that knee surgery is not necessarily the best option for reducing pain and improving movement in patients with the condition over the long term. Instead, gentle exercise, as advised by a physiotherapist, may be a better option.

Professor Mark Wilkinson, a spokesman for Arthritis Research UK, commented: “Previous studies have shown that knee arthroscopy is not recommended for the symptoms of pain and loss of function for people with degenerative knee arthritis …Anyone with pain and loss of function in their knee joints will find benefit from lifestyle modification, exercise, physiotherapy, suitable pain medication or joint replacement when non-surgical treatment becomes no longer effective.”

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DSE assessments Kent

We are experienced DSE/computer workstation assessors and pride ourselves on delivering clear and practical advice at affordable prices. We offer single and group DSE assessments depending on your needs.

What sets us apart from other DSE assessors is the fact that we are physiotherapists. With the knowledge of biomechanics and the musculoskeletal system we can look at workstation not only from an ergonomics perspective but also with a clinical eye.

Each DSE assessment includes;

  • A consultation with the employee at their workstation assessing any issues/queries they may have
  • An assessment of the work carried out i.e. phone use, mouse use, dual screen use and other duties
  • Advice and adjustments to achieve optimal workstation/DSE set up is provided at the time of the assessment
  • A detailed report is then completed and sent to the employee and the workplace
  • One month follow up contact after the assessment.

Employers are required to perform a suitable and sufficient analysis of DSE/computer workstations (Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, updated 2002).

DSE workstations and/or equipment can cause neck, shoulder, back or arm pain, as well as fatigue and eyestrain.

Contact our DSE assessor today;

E: sarah@unitedhealthkent.com       M: 07855 742 402       T: 01304 648967

All of our clients receive a 10% discount on all Osmond Ergonomics products using our discount code UHK136764

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Physiotherapy Deal Kent

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.

What can we help with?

We treat a variety of conditions. At United Health we specialise in musculoskeletal injuries. This includes sports injuries, whiplash, back pain, sciatica, pregnancy and post partum pain, post surgery and occupational injuries.

Physiotherapy is about education, guidance, exercise and facilitation of the recovery process to restore normal function and PREVENTION of further relapses. It is this holistic approach that is essential to ensure you are empowering your patient to recover as quickly and sucessfully as possible.

If you have any queries about our physiotherapy or ergonomic services please contact us at info@unitedhealthkent.com

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One You – NHS Health Quiz and Support

Check out this free resource from the NHS, there is a wealth of information on various health topics. You can complete a quick quiz to see if there are areas about your lifestyle or health that could be improved.

One You – NHS Health checks

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