The focus here is on enhancing overall wellbeing. AK is a system that uses muscle testing to evaluate areas of dysfunction within the body. Nutritional assessment looks at the food, liquids and supplements we consume and how these can optimise health. Reiki aims to still our mind and create inner peace.
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that uses basic muscle testing for evaluating areas of dysfunction within the body. AK uses the proprioceptive aspects of the nervous system (the part relating to joints and muscles) to assess the function of the musculo-skeletal system and also the chemical and mental-emotional aspects of health and wellbeing. Health is composed of structural, chemical and mental factors which must be balanced and this is known to naturopaths and osteopaths as “The triad of health”. Ill health will involve at least one of these factors, often two or all three are involved. The AK practitioner will analyse and check all three factors.
What can AK help with?
AK can refine the examination and diagnostic testing of any of the musculoskeletal problems normally associated with a visit to an osteopath, such as low back pain, neck pain or sciatica. It can also help with any functional aspects of health by highlighting which areas of health are below par and may therefore be contributing to symptoms.
What to expect when you see an AK practitioner
You should expect to be actively involved in the examination, diagnostic process and the solution. AK, used alongside a careful case history and standard diagnostic tests, brings a better insight into how the body is functioning. Testing will include aspects of musculoskeletal, visceral (your body organs and glands), metabolic (such as toxicity or nutrient deficiency), and cranial disturbances. Treatment may involve manipulation of the joints and muscles, nutritional support, homeopathic or herbal remedies, and protocols to deal with stress, together with lifestyle or exercise advice.
ICAK UK
There are various practitioners who describe themselves as “Kinesiologists”. However, to be a full member of ICAK, of which the UK has it’s own chapter, there is a minimum undergraduate training requirement, which is, “a single professional education with a minimum of 3500 hours and a degree such as DC, DDS, PPM, MD, DO, PhD in psychology. An absolute requirement is the licence to diagnose.”
In practice that means, in the UK, most members are osteopaths and chiropractors, though the chapter also includes medical doctors, acupuncturists and other practitioners with appropriate undergraduate training.
Developed in Japan, by Buddhist Mikao Usui, Reiki uses the principle of light touch with the philosophy and belief that energy is expelled and received through energy centres in the body known as the Chakras, it is these centres that the Reiki Practitioner focusses on throughout the treatment.
During your Reiki therapy session, you will be asked to lay down fully clothed and relax on a treatment couch. Your practitioner will gently place their hands over the different energy centres, gradually working from your head through to your feet during each treatment.
Reiki is a very gentle and non-invasive therapy with some people reporting a sense of warmth, calm and relaxation during and after a Reiki treatment.
Food, whether in relation to its production, culture and lifestyle or health and nutrition, is seldom out of the news these days. At the same time ironically, so much ill health in the UK is directly attributable to poor diet – obesity, diabetes and heart disease being just a few obvious ones.
It can feel like we are being bombarded with advice and ideas about nutrition and diets and sometimes it seems to be conflicting or contradictory. Many of us do not make the connection between how we are feeling physically and emotionally with how we are eating.
Helen can help you understand the basics about good nutrition, and make the right choices for you and your lifestyle. She can help you pin point the foods you eat that may be contributing or causing symptoms of ill health or discomfort, and help you regain balance. Some dietary choices could be contributing to inflammatory processes and allergies or gut disturbances.
Helen will make use of a careful case history, diet diaries and a variety of laboratory testing (blood and urine tests) along with manual muscle testing to assist in formulating the dietary advice along with lifestyle and exercise choices.
This involves an initial consultation lasting about 60 minutes. This could be looking at and reviewing your diet, exercise, weight management, body-shape, fitness, your goals and your aspirations. You may be looking to improve your fitness and need assistance with this due to injury. Perhaps an injury has left you fearful to exercise and you need some 1-2-1 guidance on what to do, when to do it and how often. You may have an occasion coming up and want to loose a few pounds and increase your overall tone. Whatever your goals, Nicki can help guide you with an exercise, fitness and weight management plan and show you what you need to do. She can then be with you as little or as often as you need, after the initial visit, to review your progress and ensure you stay focused on your goals. She can also assist your progress using an online tool to monitor how you are doing, so you can both track your progression towards your goal. Any follow-up visits will last 30 minutes.
Your first visit
Find out about what to expect from your first visit to Broadwater Osteopathic Practice.
Follow us on Facebook
If you are unable to make an appointment, without notice, a Full Fee will be charged. A covid screen and reminder text is sent or calls made, 24 hours prior to all visits, so this allows ample time to call and let us know if you are unable to attend.
Missed appointments at this time are very frustrating. We need to allow more time for each patient appointment, to screen, clean, aerate and risk assess your visit. For this to happen we need to allow at least 15-30 minutes extra for your allocated appointment. We have a waiting list of patients who would also love your appointment if you cannot make it.
Please consider other people and make that call. Save yourself a missed appointment fee, but most importantly, allow someone else to take your appointment.
Many thanks
Team BOP
In this second installment on running injuries, Chris looks at common problems below the knee that we encounter and advise upon in the clinic.
Going the extra mile – part 2: The most common running injuries, their causes, symptoms and how to help yourself.
Shin splints
Location of the pain
Along the inside of the shin.
Symptoms
Recurring pain in the middle and inner aspect of the tibia (shin bone). Often described as an aching or a sensation of increasing pressure that intensifies until the pain forces the person to cease activity.
The detail
In summary, it is the inflammation of the connective tissues joining the muscle to the inside of the tibia. It is caused by overuse or too sudden increased activity levels. Running on surfaces that are hard and/or an upwards gradient probably can also contribute.
Self-management
Use ice to decrease localised inflammation.
As hard as it will be for you really keen runners, it may be necessary to stop running for a prolonged period. You can of course maintain cardiovascular fitness by diversifying into non-weight-bearing exercise, such as cycling or swimming.
Consider foot and gait analysis to see if there is an underlying predisposing factor such as dropped medial arches of the foot and resultant tibial torsion.
Achilles tendonitis
Location of the pain
In the Achilles tendon itself, but also felt in the back of the heel where the tendon attaches.
Symptoms
An ache in the Achilles tendon that is often made worse with activity. Continuing to run through the discomfort can make the micro-tears associated with tendonitis worse and result in a longer recuperation period. The injury may also cause redness or swelling around the tendon and a sensation of tightness within the lower calf. Where there is a palpable lump within the tendon or an audible snapping sound, this may be due to a build-up of scar tissue due to a longer period of successive micro trauma.
The detail
The Achilles tendon is what connects your calf musculature to your heel. It is the biggest tendon in your body, and it needs to be, as it has to deal with large forces when walking, let alone running or jumping. The problem will often begin as a mild ache in the area after sporting activity. Prompt action can reduce the length of time needed to rehabilitate the area. Many factors are thought to predispose someone to Achilles tendonitis, including an increase in the intensity of activity, poor running technique, inappropriate footwear.
Self-management
Ice the area, especially after activity.
A small heel lift may be helpful in reducing discomfort in the tendon itself – the lift slightly shortens the calf musculature and so reduces pull and stretch on the Achilles.
Plantar fasciitis
Location of the pain
Underside of the foot.
Symptoms
Tenderness, stiffness or even a sensation of bruising in the sole of the foot. It often begins around the base of the heel. Stiffness in particular may be more evident upon weight-bearing for the first steps of the day or after a period of inactivity. Discomfort is also more likely when barefoot or wearing unsupportive footwear.
The detail
The plantar fascia is an extremely strong band of connective tissue that supports your foot arches. Its main purpose is to absorb much of the impact of heel strike and help to reform the foot arches after toe-off. With micro-tears in the fascia we get discomfort. Some people appear to be more prone to this and it is likely that there are several predisposing factors such as increased weight, inappropriate footwear, lack of stretching and increased activity.
Self-management
It is possible to continue running through the discomfort for a prolonged period, but doing so will cause an exponential increase in healing time.
While applying a moderate amount of pressure, roll the sole of the foot over a rolling pin for around five minutes a time, up to five times a day. This can also be done with a frozen water bottle if you wish to combine the benefits of icing with the facial stretch.
Stop wearing any non-supportive footwear such as flip flops, sandals, etc.
Liberal foam rolling of the calves and stretching of the calf muscles can be of benefit when suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Ankle ligament sprain
Location of the pain
On the side of the ankle.
Symptoms
Swelling, bruising, instability, pain and difficulty weight-bearing fully on the affected side, depending on the severity of the sprain. Often it may just be mildly uncomfortable with residual stiffness. However, when severe, all the above symptoms will present themselves in the days following the injury. It is also worth noting that pain, swelling and inability to weight-bear can be a sign of a fracture, so if you are worried you should visit A&E as soon as possible.
The detail
Inversion strains (when you roll on to the outside of your foot) are fairly common. Most people have experienced this to some extent, perhaps after losing their footing in a pothole, or during sporting activity where they have had to change direction quickly. Severity can range from a mild tear to a complete rupture.
Self-management
Rest
Ice the area regularly – for up to 10 minutes at a time.
Compression bandages can help with the initial swelling.
Elevate the ankle from time to time to aid with the reduction of swelling.
Once the initial discomfort and swelling have reduced, proprioceptive exercises that help your body control the movement of your ankle can be undertaken in order to decrease the likelihood of further sprains.
Hopefully these two blogs on common running injuries have helped to give you an insight into how to self-manage. Of course, it is always a good idea to get the problem looked over by a musculoskeletal expert, such as an osteopath.