Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic will remain OPEN during the new national lockdown.

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Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic will stay OPEN during the new national lockdown.
Chiropractic is a government regulated healthcare profession and we are classed as essential, attending a Chiropractic appointment is a valid reason for going out during lockdown.
Treating musculoskeletal injuries in our clinic takes the pressure off NHS services and the government are encouraging everyone to keep accessing their routine medical care. We are here for you!
We will continue to provide a safe environment utilising full PPE and following strict infection control guidelines from our professional association, regulators and Public Health England as we have been doing since July.
For more information please email [email protected] or ring 01242 513459 – if you are vulnerable, shielding or would just feel more comfortable rescheduling your appointment we will of course understand.
Here is confirmation from www.gov.uk that the draft legislation published on Tuesday allows medical clinics (and Chiropractors are specifically named) to stay open during the upcoming lockdown, see no.47:
Lockdown November Covid Legislation Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic
From November 6th until November 15th our Chiropractor Catherine was supposed to be going on holiday to this beautiful house in Cornwall….. 😭😭😭
Sky House, St. Agnes Sky House, St. Agnes

St. Agnes Beach

Although she now can’t travel Catherine will still be having that week off work as, quite frankly – she needs a rest!
Mandy our receptionist will be holding the fort and manning the phones/email – her office hours will be: Monday and Tuesday 2-6pm and Thursday and Friday 9am-1pm. You will be able to talk to her directly if you ring during these times but please DO leave a message at any other time and she will get back to you as soon as she can – the same applies to email.
Stay safe everyone.

We’re here for you! Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic is reopening on July 6th

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We can’t wait to catch up with all our lovely patients when we reopen next week! It’s been a long old lockdown and our registered Chiropractor Catherine Owers has really missed chatting with her patients and hearing all their news – there’s going to be a lot to catch up on!

We are offering face-to-face treatments starting from Monday 6th July – we will be spacing out appointment times so there is no danger of patients crossing over and we are leaving lots of extra time for cleaning and PPE change over. This means that we can’t fit as many people in as normal and to minimise contamination risk we will have no receptionist cover for the first couple of months so please bear with us if we take a little longer to answer the phone or reply to your email.

If you would like to book an appointment please send a message to [email protected] or ring 01242 513459.

To keep up to date with the latest clinic situation please follow us on social media.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CheltChiro/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/cheltchiro

Instagram – https://instagram.com/cheltenhamchiropractic?igshid=1h0vd07rimril

We’re here for you! 🌈

Clinic Update from Catherine – Routine appointments available  from July 6th

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Here is an important clinic update from Catherine Owers, our Clinic Director and Government Registered Chiropractor: 

 

“I am working very hard behind the scenes to make Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic as safe as possible for our patients and staff once we reopen for face-to-face treatments. I want to be absolutely confident that I have done everything in my power to get the clinic Covid secure and this includes sourcing enough protective clothing and equipment to keep us all safe. Unfortunately some items of PPE are proving very difficult to get hold of I have therefore made the decision to delay re-opening for face-to-face treatments until Monday July 6th – this will be for all treatments however, not just urgent cases, so if you are feeling in need of a check-up after the rigours of lockdown please get in touch. I am very sorry not to be opening sooner but I hope you will all understand that I have to be totally confident with my safety preparations, I want to get this right and not rush re-opening. If you are really struggling in the meantime I am still available for telephone and e-mail consultations and I will do my very best to help you remotely – please email [email protected] or ring 01242 513459 for help and advice or further information.

We are well on the way to re-organising the clinic rooms with a protective reception screen, hand sanitiser stations, antimicrobial vinyl wipe-clean covers on the treatment benches and chairs, Covid-secure signage and information posters plus removing any multi-use items such as magazines or leaflets. Our cleaning regime will be intensive with a full wipe-down of all multi-contact surfaces (door-handles, treatment bench, chairs, reception desk, surfaces etc.) with anti-viral disinfectant between EVERY patient – plus a gap of 15 minutes to air the rooms fully as recommended by Public Health England. We will be sending out a detailed information sheet to every patient prior to their appointment detailing the new clinic protocols and what to expect when they arrive, we will also be taking a lot of our case history notes over the phone to minimise physical time spent in the clinic room. I will be wearing full PPE (face shield, face mask, single use plastic gloves and apron) for every treatment – please don’t be scared, although I look like a spacewoman I’m still the same person underneath and will appreciate any funny stories, bad jokes or interesting facts as per usual!

If you would like to book an appointment, ask for more information or just have a chat please send an e-mail to [email protected] or ring 01242 513459 (Please leave a message with a contact telephone number if there is no answer.) I’m really looking forward to catching up with you all, stay safe and I hope to see you soon!”

Please get in contact if you have any questions, keep an eye on social media (see links below) and the NEWS section of this website for further updates.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

Cheltenham Chiropractor Catherine Owers in PPE

Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic treatment benches

Both treatment benches newly upholstered in antimicrobial vinyl

Easy Hip and Shoulder Mobilisation Exercises

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If you’re feeling a bit stiff today why not try these easy hip and shoulder mobilisation exercises with our Registered Cheltenham Chiropractor Catherine Owers:

For more tips and advice plus updates on when the clinic will be re-opening for face-to-face treatments please follow us on social media:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Or keep checking our news page here.

Chiropractic Clinic is Moving!

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From Monday November 9th 2015 Catherine and the team will be relocating to our lovely mew modern premises at : Pure Offices, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham. GL51 6SH. Just follow the road into ASDA supermarket then go straight over the mini roundabout and you’ll see signs for PURE offices on the right, the new site is just behind the Nuffield Hospital and has a large FREE car park. It’s also very handy for getting some groceries after you’ve had your treatment! See map for further directions.

We will be taking all our equipment, files, phone number and e-mail address with us so your treatments will carry on in exactly the same way – just two minutes down the road! Just press the buzzer marked Cheltenham Chiropractic Clinic at the front door when you arrive and Mandy or Pauline will collect you and show you to our new clinic room. There are no steps or stairs and the new building is smart and well appointed.

 

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Wearing a school Backpack correctly is important

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Increasing numbers of school children are reporting spinal pain in clinical practice. Sometimes this can go unnoticed or may be overlooked until it is too late. One of the major causes of back pain in younger age groups is carrying excessive loads to and from school in an ill-fitted or inappropriate school backpack. Recent research has shown a relationship between school bag loads, posture problems and spinal pain.

Choosing an appropriate school bag, having it fitted correctly and wearing it properly is extremely important to ensure healthy development of your child’s spine. A poorly fitted, inappropriately worn or excessively heavy school bag can cause a number of health issues for your child – potentially leading to problems later in life. Any of these issues, particularly when combined with over 12 years of schooling, can lead to such health and spinal problems as scoliosis, kyphosis, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, lower back pain and poor posture.

Posture problems and spinal pain in children and adolescents have the potential to lead to permanent spinal damage in later years. However, many of these issues can be prevented by following some simple steps when choosing, and wearing, a school bag.

Choosing a School Bag

When choosing a school bag the following tips and design features should be considered:

  • Opt for a backpack with two even straps which allow the weight of the load to be distributed evenly over the body. Bags with only one strap can cause injury to the shoulder, back and neck from uneven load distribution.
  • The centre of mass of the bag should be at waist height.
  • Choose a bag that fits your child and is appropriate to their body size. It should rest comfortably against their back. Avoid bags that are wider than your child.
  • The bag should have adjustable buckles or straps to lower or lift the pack into the appropriate position.
  • Choose a backpack with a moulded frame and an adjustable waist belt, so that the weight of the backpack can rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine.
  • The waist belt will also help keep the bag close to the body and in place when moving around.
  • All straps should ideally be padded and wide to help distribute the weight of the bag more evenly and over a larger area. This should include both the shoulder straps and the waist belt.
  • The bag should also be padded where it touches the back.

Perfect your golf posture

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Tiger Woods has just pulled out of a golf tournament due to back pain. Golfers are susceptible to these kinds of problems so, whether an old hand or new to the sport, the British Chiropractic Association has some top tips to help golfers with a pain-free swing.

Having just one joint or muscle out of line can make 18 holes seem like 108 and it’s no wonder if you have to swing your club 70-100 times with an injured back or wrist. By simply aligning the body perfectly, everyone can play golf better, with less effort and have more fun at the same time.

golfer

High profile professional golfers can suffer injuries, but the amateur player may be more at risk than Rory, Justin or Tiger! Poor technique, inadequate stretching prior and post-match and incorrectly carrying heavy golf bags are the main causes, but following a few simple tips can solve the problem.

The Pressure Points

– The lower back, shoulders and wrists are the most obvious joints at risk for golfers through the repetitive nature of the golf swing, but carrying a golf bag can also place an enormous strain on your neck. Take advantage of the latest golf accessories specially designed to help such as lighter bags and dual harness straps over shoulders to distribute weight evenly.

Warm Up

– Golfers often don’t warm up properly before playing – if muscles are not prepared by a good stretching routine, this can lead to a lack of flexibility and injury. Spend two or three minutes warming up before teeing off. Stretch hamstring, quads, chest muscles and shoulders.

On the Course

– Drive – make the most of your swing; warm up on the driving range.
– Don’t forget that, like any sport, a good post-event stretch is also required.
– When picking up golf bags, bend carefully from the knees.
– Contrary to popular belief, trolleys are not the best way to caddy clubs as this builds unnecessary pressure from pulling and bending in the wrong positions. A power or electric caddy is the safest way to go around.
– Wear proper shoes for stability and to help avoid twisting the back and hips.

Is bedtime a pain in the neck?

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Research shows people don’t make the link between back pain suffered at night and their beds.

New research from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) and Sealy beds reveals that neck or back pain has prevented nearly half (48%) of people from sleeping.

The research indicates that people are not making the link between their pain and their beds. Despite 43% of people saying that sleeping can cause them to suffer from neck or back pain, nearly two thirds (61%) do not think that their sleeping position is important for their back or neck health.

Worryingly, a staggering 96% said that they do not think that the way they get in and out of bed is important for their back or neck health, which chiropractors regularly attribute to triggering back problems in patients.

Chiropractor, Rishi Loatey, from the British Chiropractic Association, said: “Despite complaining of back and neck pain occurring after sleep, most people don’t think that getting in and out of bed is important to their back health.

“In fact, disc injuries are more likely to occur with bending movements first thing in the morning. As you sleep, the discs in your back hydrate and increase in size. This makes the disc fibres more susceptible to injury. Try and avoid bending movements for the first hour after waking. Your chiropractor will be able to recommend some gentle stretches you can do in the morning”.

The findings come as the 24th annual National Bed Month gets underway, prompting the BCA to urge people to pay more attention to their bed and indeed the way they get in and out of it, particularly as over a third (36%) of people reported not to have even considered their neck or back when they last bought a new mattress.

Neil Robinson, Marketing Director of Sealy UK, comments: “An important part of a good night’s sleep is a supportive mattress. You should change your mattress every seven years and if you’re in pain at night, it might be that you need to buy a new one. If you are buying a new mattress, it’s vital to try it before making the purchase – you wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes without trying them on and mattresses are no different, especially as we all spend such a large amount of our lives in bed.

“At Sealy we are conscious that one size does not fit all, so we stock a wide range of mattresses to make sure that people have as many options as possible.”

Top tips for buying a mattress and protecting your back in bed:
• Try before you buy: If you are lying on your side, your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag (bed too soft) or bow (bed too hard). The longer you can spend lying on a mattress before you buy it, the more accurate this feeling will be.
• Don’t go it alone: Always shop with your partner as your respective ideal mattress tensions could be very different.
• Wake your body up slowly: Don’t leap out of bed first thing in the morning as this can damage the back. Instead, gently get out of bed and avoid bending or doing anything sudden or strenuous until your back wakes up.
• Adopt a good sleeping position: Lie on your side rather than lying on your front with your neck twisted to one side.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy posture, the BCA has developed ‘Straighten Up’ – a simple, three minute exercise programme for all ages, designed to help strengthen the spine and improve posture and help joints. To watch a video of the exercises you can do, please visit: http://bit.ly/straightenup You can also find a lot of valuable posture advice at http://bit.ly/bcapostureinf

Bad backs are global!

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The ‘bad back’ is a global phenomenon

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) joins calls to prioritise the treatment of musculoskeletal problems in wake of new global study. In a landmark and comprehensive study of the worldwide impact of diseases (Global Burden of Disease Study 2012) published in the Lancet on 15th December, musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including back and neck pain, were found to be affecting over 1.7 billion people.This staggering figure has increased by 45% over the last 20 years and, with the current estimate for the number of people suffering from back and neck pain alone standing at nearly 1 billion, it is not surprising that there are fears over the impacts, both physical and economic.

The Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health, an influential organisation that brings together stakeholders in all musculoskeletal conditions and of which the British Chiropractic Association is an affiliate, is calling for urgent action to prioritise policies and resources to help keep people moving and reduce the burden of disability caused by these conditions.
BCA President Richard Brown comments “The figures for the incidence of back and neck pain are very worrying and demonstrate the fundamental global impact that these problems are creating.This mirrors the situation in the UK as demonstrated in regular consumer research commissioned on behalf of the British Chiropractic Association. Patients are telling us that back and neck pain is having a significant impact on all aspects of their daily lives. Chiropractors have particular expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of back and neck pain and offer a package of care as recommended by NICE in Clinical Guideline 88, The Management of Low Back Pain”

National Gardening Week

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As a nation, we love our gardens and spend a considerable amount of time and money on them. As we rush to get those jobs in the garden done, there is a risk that gardeners may injure themselves. What everyone wants is to be fit and healthy enough to actually enjoy sitting in their garden and enjoy the fruits of their labours come summer time, so here are some helpful tips from the British Chiropractic Association.

Clothes

Don’t wear clothes that are tight or could constrict your movement.

Warm Up

Gardening is like any other exercise; you need to warm up first. Don’t go straight into heavy garden work; start off with lighter jobs as this will lessen the chance of muscle strain.

Using a ladder

When using a ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing them, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction.
Rather than leaning or reaching, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are.
Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.

Clever pruning

Get as close as possible to the things you are pruning and avoid over-stretching to reach the area you are dealing with.

Invest in some long handled secateurs to reach plants and bushes that are beyond normal reach.

Take a break

Vary your activity by spending no more than 20-30 minutes on any one thing and make sure you take regular breaks.

Be clever with the paving

If laying a patio, keep the slab close to your body and bend your knees; it is sometimes better to bend one knee rather two, as your supporting leg gives you a position of strength.

If using railway sleepers, two people will probably be needed.

Plan ahead

If you are planning a trip to the local DIY store to buy heavy items such as cement or gravel, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry.

If you do buy heavy items, use a trolley and if on your own, ask an assistant at the store to help you.

If buying things like compost, sand or gravel in bulkier amounts, shovel the contents of the large bags straight into smaller containers or wheelbarrow from the back of the car.

Don’t lift with your arms straight out, keep the elbows bent and to your side to minimise the stress on your back.

If having items delivered, have them unloaded as close to where you need them as possible; this will save the effort of moving them again.

A specialist garden trolley might be worth investing in to move these sorts of materials around, especially if you have lots of patio pots to move around as well.