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Take the Plunge

Summer has us looking for the nearest beach or pool to cool down, but did you know that as well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends. Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits.

No matter what your fitness level, there are many general benefits of swimming. A simple half hour of leisure swimming is said to burn 220 calories, in comparison to the 99 calories burnt when walking for the same time period.

Swimming.org has offered us a good reason to take the plunge [Read more…] about Take the Plunge

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Sun Sense

Not only does sunshine make us feel good, but sunshine is vital for our bodies to produce Vitamin D. Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles?

 We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Vitamin D is also linked to blood sugar regulation. Sunshine is said to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. According to the NHS, a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain in adults.

During the spring and summer months, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. So this being said, what about the dangers of too much sun? Sun exposure has links to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Sunbeds are no safer. “Over exposure to UV light, either from sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer,” says Cancer Research UK. [Read more…] about Sun Sense

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Summer Strawberries

Wimbledon would not be Wimbledon without strawberries and cream, but did you know that this little red gem, has great health benefits too!

Ever since 1877, when the four grand slams were first played, the strawberry become a traditional accompaniment to tennis. Did you know that according to the CNN news, over 28000 Kg at eaten at Wimbledon every year!

So why strawberries?

“It was probably two things — strawberries were in season at the time the tournament was played, and in Victorian England they had become a fashionable thing to eat,” explains Johnny Perkins, the All England Club’s head of PR.

“They were part of afternoon tea, which had become a fashionable ritual, and that took root at Wimbledon.”

It may be difficult for some to resist a perfectly ripe strawberry, but don’t resist temptation, as they have great health benefits to.

The strawberry is said to be is one of the most popular berry fruits in the world and there are more than 10 species that differ in flavour, size and texture. They all have the same heart-shaped, red flesh and seeded coat with small, leafy green caps.Strawberries are not actually fruits as their seeds are on the outside and are actually a member of the rose family.

Nutritional Information

Strawberries are said to be an excellent source of vitamins C and K as well as providing a good dose of fibre, folic acid, manganese and potassium. They also contain significant amounts of phytonutrients and flavanoids which makes strawberries bright red. They have been used throughout history in a medicinal context to help with digestive ailments, teeth whitening and skin irritations. Their fibre and fructose content may help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing digestion. Strawberries are rich in colourful pigments which have a protective effect and are thought to have a number of potential health benefits, including prevention of inflammatory conditions and heart disease. [Read more…] about Summer Strawberries

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Chiropractic for Equestrians by Guest blogger, Caitlin

Horse Riders seem to have that canny ability to put their horse’s needs above their own. I know many horse riders who will have the osteopath or chiropractor out to their horse on a regular basis, but when it comes to their own aches and pains, they are strangely reluctant.

I have received regular chiropractic treatment over the years and have found that this has really benefited my riding position, as well has helping with pain and injury after riding altercations….yes, horses can be dangerous and you can get hurt when you and your horse have a difference in opinion!  I think that my chiropractor Stuart Bennett must just shake his head when I walk in after another riding accident, smelling of horse and generally filthy!!

Let me tell you a bit more about my background, I first sat on a pony when I was 18 months old and that was where my love affair with all things horses began. I have now been riding for about sixteen years and have regularly competed in Pony Club Area and Championship events over the last few years. I have also worked as a groom for a couple of event yards and currently work as a groom and volunteer as a show rider at Kynren, in Bishop Auckland, whilst I finish my college course. I have two horses of my own, purchasing Max, my Irish Sports Horse recently with my hard earned wages. He is my little project and I am hoping to compete him at BE100 by the end of summer. All in all, I get to muck out up to 20 horses a day and ride 6 to 8 so, hopefully my personal opinion and experience counts for something.

It makes logical sense to me that if you are unable to sit correctly on your horse due to pain or muscle tension, then you are going to be constantly stressing your horse’s back which will only cause them to have problems as well. All riding requires a good upright posture, with shoulders back and no slouching. You need to maintain nice soft arms in order to have good soft contact. If you have a load of tension through your shoulders, this is simply not going to happen! [Read more…] about Chiropractic for Equestrians by Guest blogger, Caitlin

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Are you suffering from hip-pocket syndrome? By Neil Thomas DC

As a chiropractor I am used to seeing people with back problems on a daily basis due to injury, repetitive spinal stress or poor core stability but did you know that a simple thing like wearing your wallet in your back pocket could be the cause of your pain.

80% of people will suffer from an episode of back pain at some point in their lives and a lot of these are easily preventable.

Many men carry a wallet in their back pocket, some for many decades without a thought as to how this may be affecting their spinal health. Wallets can be filled with essential items such as credit cards, driver’s license, cash, receipts and other useful or even useless bits and pieces which can result in quite a chunky piece of pocket-wear.

Imagine this chunky wedge nestled in your back pocket every day while you are sitting on a chair or in your car; one side of your pelvis is now higher than the other instead of being even. The wallet will not only affect your spine but also the tissues and structures underneath the wallet. If you are new to wearing a wallet in your back pocket then you may notice it is slightly uncomfortable at first but then after a while you stop noticing it.  Your body has an amazing ability to adapt and compensate for imbalances and believe me, it will have to do some compensating for that chunky wedge! Let’s talk about why. [Read more…] about Are you suffering from hip-pocket syndrome? By Neil Thomas DC

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The real effects of flip flops on your body.

 

During these summer months most of us ladies love to get our feet into those flip flops. We love to let our feet breathe and show off our painted toes.  Well that all sounds wonderful, and who am I to spoil that, particularly as I love to wear them too!

However it is a growing concern that heel pain is growing among young people ages 15 to 25 years. Some experts and parents cite wearing flip flops daily as the main cause. Flip flop wearers take short strides and turn their ankles inward. Long term ankle and hip problems are a cause for concern. [Read more…] about The real effects of flip flops on your body.