Physical pain is an essential part of the human experience; it’s the body’s protective alarm system. Its a subjective experience and one which is challenging to convey to other people. Especially if there are no obvious outward clues, our ability to tolerate pain is as individual as our fingerprints and shaped by many factors: genetics,… Read More Pain, does it need to hurt so much?
Where do you live? In your head, body or both? The reason I ask is that, as a health professional and movement teacher, I meet many people who live in their heads, and their body is just this thing hanging below their lower eyelashes, I kid you not!
The word “core” and “core stability” sit deep in a sea of myth and inadequate understanding about human movement, even in health and fitness spaces. I say this as a comprehensively trained Pilates teacher, osteopath and clinical educator with lived experience managing a severe spinal injury.
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but it’s probably contributing your inability to move well and reducing your range of motion. When you think about squatting, what comes to mind? The burn from your last gym session, struggling to pick up your dropped keys, or using a lavatory in tropical climes? Did you know that squatting… Read More Your chair is killing you! Time to start squatting.
Almost every day, I hear someone talking about their core, usually stating that they need to strengthen it or that having a stronger one [core] will cure their back pain… mmm [sigh]. Here’s a recent example; a new patient, let’s call him mister B, shared with me that his trainer had told them they needed… Read More Core stability, demystifying the misonception
Spinal stenosis is a common back condition where the nerve roots or the spinal cord become pinched or compressed because the spaces within the spinal canal narrowing. It affects men and women in equal numbers, and around 10% of the UK population is believed to be living with this condition.
Mindfulness and meditation are everywhere; it’s being offered as a cure-all for everything from IBS and low-self esteem to help pain management and depression. There is good science to confirm the benefits, and growing research shows that when people train to be more mindful, they are rewiring the physical structure of their brain, but what… Read More Calming the monkey mind
Proper alignment can help your body move in a way that’s efficient and intelligent, it can reduce the risk of injury and prevent wear and tear on joints. Standing well has other benefits too, our respiratory and digestive systems are more efficient when the body is aligned, and we can appear more confident.
Most people will have heard of physical or health rehabilitation, which aims to help people restore their full health or their normal life through hands-on therapy and physical training usually after illness, injury or surgery.
I was recounting a story in one of my classes recently about a man complaining about his struggle to find a parking space after a stressful drive to his “lovely health club”, where he jumped on a treadmill and walked for 30 minutes before driving home! Mmm, I know his part of the metropolis is blessed with… Read More Walking, are you getting the real benefits?
As an osteopath and Pilates teacher movement is always the first and most important goal I consider in my treatment plan. We need to get blood and other body fluids moving to naturally lengthen, contract and relax muscles. With the simple aim to create strong, flexible bodies and building resilience for everyday activities.
Following on from a previous post (osteopathic treatment is different) here are 5 more reasons the osteopathic approach to healthcare and wellbeing is different.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness or DOMS is exercise-related muscle pain, which often peaks a day or two after the event. It is known as muscle fever, a beautiful exotic explanation to describe the distinctive muscle pain and soreness that nearly everyone experiences after intense or unfamiliar exercise. Muscle fever is a meaningful term because DOMS makes… Read More Delayed onset muscle soreness, explained.
Movement matters are the blog sections dedicated to getting you moving. Exercise hacks (*) are 5 -10 minutes offerings of simple home movement or ‘exercise’. Taken from my toolbox of somatic movement, osteopathic practice, Pilates exercise repertoire, personal and clients favourites. * Life hacks refer to shortcuts or methods that increase productivity and efficiency, our… Read More Movement matters: Exercise hacks for neck and shoulder tension
Technology in all its forms is an increasingly integral part of daily life, most adults own and regularly use a smart device. They brilliantly allow us to work, shop, book holidays, listen to music, read books, watch movies, learn new skills, and catch up with friends and family on the go, wherever we happen to be.
Our feet are one of the hardest working parts of the body and under constant stress. It’s easy to take them for granted, they hang around at the end of our legs, trying to adapt to being jammed into a pretty but often ill-fitting shoe or being smothered inside socks and trainers. They may take… Read More Feet, friends or foe?
Our bones are “living tissue.” of continually renewing cells, blood vessels nerves, and minerals. Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are conditions in which this process is affected causing bones to become weak with a higher risk for fractures.
Hip problems are common, the cause may be apparent, like an injury that comes on suddenly while gardening, running for the train or playing sports. However, sometimes the reason is not as clear, as symptoms may come on gradually.
My regular pilates clients know that I am not a fan of static stretching unless there is a particular issue that needs managing. I um and ah about this in class, as it’s not part of the Pilates repertoire, and we can work on muscle length and range of motion during a well-balanced Pilates session… Read More Stretching: Does it increase flexibility?
The muscles of the pelvic floor play a crucial role in the stability of the torso, due to there connections and association in spinal movement. The balance of these muscles is necessary for dynamic stability, i.e., strong and elastic muscles which support us to move freely, climb stairs, change direction easily, pick up loads, sneeze… Read More Pelvic Floor Muscles
Last time I talked about the shoulder joint structure and briefly highlighted what can go wrong. Here is a look at some of the common problems that cause shoulder and arm pain in a little more detail
Vaginal prolapse is a common condition where the bladder, uterus and or bowel protrudes into the vagina. This can cause symptoms such as a sensation of a vaginal lump, constipation, difficulty emptying the bowel or bladder or problems with sexual intercourse.
Ultimately, effective stress management requires and multidisciplinary approach especially for long term situations. The physical effects need to be addressed to allow for the lifestyle changes to make a difference.
Last time I was talking about stress and mentioned it does have some benefits but its the ongoing or severe chronic stress that concerns me as health professional and pilates practitionerStress is a part of everyday life; have you noticed how prolonged stress affect you or those around you?
Achilles tendon pain is sporting complaint often seen in runners and tennis players. People report stiffness or pain in the back of the heel. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury due to the repetitive action and so may occur in other repetitive activities.
Do your shoulders creak? Knees pop? Does your neck make cracking sounds? Do you hear clicking noises in your ankles, wrists or hips when you move? Some of the joints in our bodies can result in an impressive range of weird, wonderful and occasionally extremely loud sounds?
There is good news, most 80 – 90% of people fully recover from sciatica without surgery. In most cases, the nerve is not permanently damaged, and individuals improve in the 3 -12-week time frame. Treatment can reduce recovery time, and self-help at home can prevent reoccurrence.
Many people ask me “ I don’t have a back problem or any injuries so why should I do Pilates?”
Thriving, inside and out 