Archive for May, 2010

Choosing beds and mattresses. I am returning to these helpful diagrams

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Clients frequently ask me for advice on what beds and mattresses they should use, so here again are some diagrams illustrating what happens when you lie down.


The above diagram shows where the body applies pressure to the mattress.
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The above diagram shows where the mattress applies pressure on the body.

Sleeping for long periods on the wrong mattress, can therefore result in pressure pain and give you an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

Many of the harder mattresses, sometimes misleadingly described as “orthopaedic”, actually cause pain by stimulating the nerve fibre endings hidden in our skin and soft tissues. Each person will have a different stimulation threshold which determines whether they experience chronic or acute pain.

One way of coping with an extra hard mattress is to buy a topper. Putnams sell foam toppers which cost £40 for a single mattress and £80 for a king size double.

Helen How
Registered Osteoapth
14 Craighall Gardens
Edinburgh 0131 551 1044

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Case Study of Wayne Rooney`s Metarsal Injury

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

I promised to write again about the Air Cast Walker Boot. Last week I fitted an Air Cast Boot in order to speed up an old fashioned exercise programme. As the general public doesn’t have access to a premier league rehabilitation swimming pool or gym and receiving daily physiotherapy treatments can be very expensive, an alternative way to aid recovery is to buy such a protective boot and walker.

Here is the case history report on Wayne Rooney`s recovery from his Metatarsal Injury.

It is used after you may have attended a Fracture Clinic or after Spained Ankle or from other complex Foot Injuries.
1. Spained Ankle
2. Ankle Fracture
3. Metatarsal Fracture
4. Lisfranc joint injury
5. Cuboid Fracture
6. Talus Fracture
7. Achilles Tendon partial rupture or complete rupture

Most Premier League Footballers will have used some for of protective walker boot in their careers. There are other versions on the market which can be found searching on the internet on website such as Physio Med.

Helen How
Registered Osteopath
0131 551 1044
Edinburgh EH6 4RJ

£35 for one hour all inclusive with massage case history and treatments included.
£20 for 30 mins of simple electrotherapy and some soft tissue

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Smart Efficient Back Saving for the Mobile Office Life Style

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. In these times of long periods of sitting at a desk, with or without a computer, good ergonomic design can help to prevent the repetitive strain injuries which develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.

Here is the online ergonomics website.

Helen How
Registered Osteopath
0131 551 1044
Edinburgh EH6 4RJ

£35 for one hour all inclusive with massage case history and treatments included.

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Prolonged Active Ergonomic Sitting! Changing posture frequently a Must! Read more.

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

In his book on lower back disorders, Professor McGill recommends using an ergonomic chair, pointing out that such a chair must be used properly. Changing posture as frequently as every ten minutes, allows the tissue loads to migrate, thereby minimising the risk of any single tissue`s accumulating microtrauma. Even if you don’t get up from your chair, moving position or even just fidgeting can help.

Have a look at Active Ergonomics by Orange Box – here is Flo
As you can see Flo encourages moving and fidgeting. If you would like to find out more, here’s the link. So, even if you can’t easily get out of your chair, at least changing position on it will help protect your back. getting moving while sitting

Keep Active Ergonomics

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Cranial Manipulation Theory and Practice

Monday, May 10th, 2010

There are many excellent textbooks on osteopathy. One of my favourites is Cranial Manipulation Theory and Practice (Osseous and Soft Tissue Approaches) by Leon Chaitow, published by Churchhill Livingstone. This is beautifully-illustrated textbook – which comes with an excellent CD – combines traditional osteopath approaches with cranial osteopathy. A good registered osteopath will have trained in traditional osteopathy and may also combine those methods with cranial osteopathic ones.

Here is a sample of Leon Chaitow’s illustrations. As you can see, it is easy to understand. I keep a copy of his book on my desk and many patients are interested in looking at it. Here is a link to Chaitow’s excellent website, his blogs, interviews, books and DVDs .

And finally, here is access to a video clip of Chaitow treating commons trapezius trigger points.

Helen

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The Rooney Boot – What is the Air Cast Walker)

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

What is the Aircast SP Walker? This simple comfortable boot has become a best seller and here are some of the reasons why this is so.

This clever boot made by Aircast, offers protection, aids recovery and allows comfortable walking for people with with foot and ankle injuries. Composed of a hard plastic shell, it provides immobilisation and protection like a plaster cast, but the lighter weight makes it much more comfortable and convenient. Four AirCells inside the shell can be custom- inflated, using the hand bulb (included) for a ‘total contact’ fit. This provides compression for the swollen ankle, which helps to reduce swelling and accelerate rehabilitation.

It allows those who wish to return to the gym to use various equipment like the exercise bike, rowing machines and more, without losing general overall fitness and muscle wastage.

There are other styles of walking boots which are cheaper but beneficial for recreational use, which I will feature in future posts.

It is used after you may have attended a Fracture Clinic or after Spained Ankle or other Foot Injuries.
1. Spained Ankle
2. Ankle Fracture
3. Metatarsal Fracture
4. Lisfranc joint injury
5. Cuboid Fracture
6. Talus Fracture
7. Achilles Tendon partial rupture or complete rupture

This Air Cast Walker is comfortable and you can take in on and off like a shoe. You slip this boot so you can return safely back to normal walking, exercise and to the gym. while working out in the the gym. Read more here.

Helen How
Registered Osteopath
0131 551 1044
Edinburgh EH6 4RJ

£35 for one hour all inclusive with massage, case history and treatments included.

Posted in Osteopath, sports injuries | No Comments »