SOOTHE TEAM

Neck pain Tip number 1.

2010-12-29T04:20:00.003Z

My mum turned to me at lunch this week and informed me she was taking 6 nurofen a day for neck pain. Astonished, I asked her when, why, how, etc etc. Turns out it only started recently - but she forgot to tell me.... and now it was so bad she was desparate for help....same old story for an osteopath! So I put on my osteopath hat and started checking through my neck pain first aid check list with her: "Well Mum" i started ..."Have you checked your pillow?". "My pillow is superb" she replies "State of the art, memory foam, cost me £40. Completely sorted my neck pain out 2 years ago. DOn't ask me to change my pillow - it's working wonders for me". I looked at her, and continued staring, with a smurk on my face, "It's not my pillow" she continues, " It can't be the pillow..it took my neck pain all away" "BUT....'" I reply "You are taking 6 nurofen a day for neck pain, so clearly it isn't working any more" She was unconvinced ( I have to say I was impressed at the power of a pillow to pursuade it's own importance and necessity in one's life..it can't even speak". It's a funny thing about pain, we often refuse to see the most blindingly obvious cause of it, totally convincing ourselves otherwise. After much begging and cajoling I eventually managed to pursuade her that whilst the pillow had once been a magic cure, CLEARLY it was no longer having the same effect. Whilst completely disagreeing with me, she did agree to try a different pillow for 1 night only. It was like I was taking a child away from her. The next day I asked her how her neck was: she had no pain for the first time in weeks. So here's the thing: your body changes. Your muscle tension levels change. You change in response to the weather, stresses and strains in life, events and activities, ec etc. Your body's needs change, and even though a pillow may completely resolve you pain once, it doesn't mean it will continue to do so FOREVER. You will need to change it again, and again, and again. So if you found your magic pillow, and your neck pain comes back, try a different one - in fact, have a few magic pillows and rotate them around at different times of the year!!! Don't discount the pillow as the villain!!! Happy Holidays! Ps. Have you tried our un-beatable back pain home program? Try it here: www.beat-backpain.com

WELL HELLO

2008-07-03T23:57:00.002Z

Howdy Campers. Bloming Nora....I cannot believe it has been 11 months since we last blogged. that is...quite honestly, defying the whole point of blogging n'est pas. A disgrace to the era of written communication. Full apologies. So I'm presuming everying survived the winter months ok? (actually, that is probably why we havn't blogged for such a long time..we were busy fixing all the skiing injuries and stiff snow-caused necks. Looking forward to all the gardening strains now. Yes it's a bizarre place inside the head of an osteopath. Come on, get your knees and ankles out! And of course those good ol' low backs..they just LOVE gardening! If anyone is missing the friendly faces and incessant chatter of the Soothe team, either do a bit of gardening to give yourself a reason to come and visit, OR.....AND THIS IS MUCH MORE PREFERABLE....come in to see us for an M.O.T...we gain alot of joy from KEEPING BACK/ NECK/ KNEE/ SHOULDER problems AWAY in the first place!!

S.O.S

2007-07-31T15:15:00.001Z

Has anyone seen Marie? I last saw her dissapearing into the Arndale with visa card in hand. She appears to have been eaten by the sales monsters. Ah well...let it be known that Soothe osteopaths are indeed the best dressed osteopaths in Manchester town. If anyone sees her, please point her back in the direction of the clinic, but don't let her see Tommy Hillfiger or Jones the Bootmaker en route, or we are sunk.

ARMS ON STRIKE

2007-06-16T11:38:00.000Z

It seems my arms have thrown the toys out of the cage and are on strike! I didn't know body parts could go on strike....they never taught me that at University...but apparently they can. A bit unfortunate really when you are an osteopath for your arms to pack up but that's life hey! A.k.a. Repetitive strain for those of you who find 'on strike' and 'packed up' an insufficient explanation. Yes it seems 10 years of cracking and crunching has taken it's toll. So I have self-prescribed 3 months off work. I am continuing to treat with cranial osteopathic techniques, but no longer will the dolcit tones of patients experiencing the wrath of my elbow be heard down King Street! (was that a sigh of relief I heard there??!!). I should have taken a break over 4 months ago, but I couldn't find the right osteopath to take over my list and look after you all. (And someone who could put up with Cyril's dry sense of humour!!). But they say the best things come to those who wait, and I am delighted to let you all know that Marie O'Connell is joining my team. Now, Marie O'Connell will be quite a find for anyone interested in the juicy gossip about my life as a student ( really not very exciting....), as she was at University with me. Marie has 12 years treating experience and is , without doubt, a super-duper, amazingly good osteopath. I am, with Virgo in some house in my chart, EXTREMELY fussy about who I employ, and she exceeds all my criteria by about 1000%. So Welcome aboard Marie!! So anyone who calls to book in with me will find you are directed towards Marie's list...give her a shot...you will be pleasently surprised, I promise! Trust me, I would never hand you over to someone who wouldn't do a better job than me!

CALLING CYRIL

2007-04-25T23:07:00.000Z

One day I might manage to get Cyril writing on the blog. Today Cyril is busy cracking necks. Yesterday he was busy cracking necks. Tomorrow he will be busy cracking necks. In between he goes trecking around Mexico. Cyril does exist I promise. Note to Cyril: this Blogspot says ' Soothe TEAM'. It doesn't say 'Coby's Blogspot'. I promise to buy more jaffa cakes and keep the tea bags stocked up if you blog with the world..he he

No. 1 tip : GO ON HOLIDAY!!!

2007-04-25T22:46:00.000Z

Apparently I am worth 25 camels. I have been officially valued. Personally I think I am worth 250 camels, but I have no reference point on which to compare. Having just returned from a cruise on the Nile (I will endeavour to drop this into the conversation at any available opportunity) I am now completely sold on the concept of holidays! Whether it's the food, the sun, the sleep, the haggling, avoiding being bought for 25 camels or the complete and total impersonation of a couch potatato, all I know is holidays are good! Now I understand why all my patient's back pain miraculously dissapears when they go on holiday! So can I just say to all you workaholics anonymous out their (of which I am one).....it aint all about work...there is life outside the office...the world doesn't collapse without you to look after it, and any messes that do occur can be cleaned up. You are not indispensable and if you were to die tomorrow someone would fill your shoes within a month. So go live a bit. I would highly reccommend a trip to the pyramids. And by the way, if it makes you feel any better about taking a break (understanding the mindset of a workaholic as I do) ....you will be about 10,000 times more productive when you return!!

SAVE A SOUL

2007-03-02T14:43:00.000Z

I had a bizarre occurrence this week - one of my patients got really quite cross with me - for not advertising enough! I thought she was joking at first, and then realised I was actually being told off quite genuinely. It seems that when the Soothe magic takes effect and your pain starts to go away, you can sometimes feel a bit cross that nobody told you about osteopathy before you wondered round in pain for 10 years! Well, at Soothe we try to do everything we can to provide a 5* service, so we promise to advertise more!! However, it would be much better if you all did it for us - free advertising and all that! Tell a friend about your experience of osteopathy - save a soul! (and save me from telling-offs!).

TRAVELLING BACK PAIN?

2007-01-18T09:44:00.000Z

Little tip for the travellers amongst you: don't carry heavy bags and wear high heels at the same time....both are pretty unkind to your back, and putting both together is reaLly daft and asking for a back spasm. If you have to carry a heavy suitcase it is better to carry 2 (one on each side) that june, as you centrally load the spine rather than just one side, and the spine is much stronger in this position. Drink lots of water! Try to stand up and walk around a bit at least once an hour if on a long haul flight, and placing a rolled up towel or jumper in the small of you backwill help delay the onset of low back ache. The key is to keep moving.

WANTED: PIN CUSHIONS

2007-01-07T01:09:00.000Z

Patients beware...I have been 'experimenting' with acupuncture this week. I did a course just before christmas (an agonising weekend might I add...a few needles in a spasmed muscle is pretty much pain free, but 50 needles all over your body in the space of 2 days is just mean! Yes we suffer for the cause of helping you guys!!). I did the course because I got bored of having patients telling me about how fabulous it was when another osteopath did it on them, and why didn't I do it? Well, I do now...but only experimentally...you are all my guinea pigs. I have to see the proof of somthing working before I believe in it. And I have to say, so far so good...we may have found a replacement for the evil elbow technique many of you have experienced. I need to see the results over the next few months to be completely convinced, but for the few acute spasmed backs I treated this week, the needles worked a treat. Just to warn you...if you have muscle and you're on my treatment couch, it's going to get a needle in it, so don't bother rocking up if you're queezy! Anyone got any experiences to share on the use of acupuncture for their muscle/joint/back/neck pain?

THE OSTEOPATHS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

2007-01-03T01:23:00.000Z

HI DE HI CAMPERS...HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yes, we are fed, watered, rested and ready to crack the world! Hoping you all had a fabulous festive season? I decided to be all clever this year, and spent New Year in France...South of France..Nimes...which we have re-named Marie-Celeste. I have one thing to say about New Year in France - ? - where are all the people? Did someone evacuate the country without letting us Brits know? Wondering around the empty streets at 11.30pm looking for the fireworks...at 12am all the boats in the harbour parped their horns for a few mins, a few fireworks were heard (not seen) in the far distance and then silence again. Very bizarre. We decided it wasn't really new year yet anyhow, and retreated to our place of rest, lit a bonfire and celebrated an hour later with the rest of Britain. Won't be visiting France again for New Year celebrations! Thanks for the hospitality an all but I prefer a bit of festive spirit myself...the Circle in Manchester would probably have been a better call. The Thames in London would have been pretty fab. In fact ANYWHERE would have been more exciting. Luckily I do yoga and meditation so I kind of liked the quiet, meditative entrance to 2007...! Oh yes and thanks to whoever broke into the clinic over the festive season - really good of you to leave the hard drive.

IKEA TRAUMA

2006-12-21T19:34:00.000Z

So, wondering around the new IKEA the other night, I discovered a definate point of difference between me and the rest of the planet. Having spent my life paying my mortgage by treating disc injuries, I now find I won't lift, shan't lift...anything heavier than an empty carrier bag! Don't call me if you need help moving house! I first noticed it when I accosted a poor school leaver in a yellow ikea t-shirt to lift the box containing my new bookcase onto my trolley. I suggested he bring a colleague to help him lift it, and after lifting it with two index fingers he looked at me oddly "will that be all madam?". I next noticed it in the car park as I skooted around the periphery, increasing my journey by about 24 miles in order to stay on flat ground and avoid pushing a heavy trolley up a hill on an incline. There then followed a series of looks similar to the yellow ikea t-shirt guy as I recruited further people to lift it through various stages of the journey to my apartment. Even Cyril (fellow osteopath), who had the privalidge of carrying it on the final leg from the car into the lift and into the lounge, raised his eyebrows. It dawned on me that I might be slightly paranoid about lifting, - a bit like dentists and their teeth I guess. But hey...anything is better than back pain!

This one goes out to all you camera operators out there!

2006-12-16T13:37:00.000Z

Is it just me, or is Manchester city centre turning into a film set? Maybe it's because we're on King Street, I don't know, but I don't seem to be able to walk 50 yards without having to dodge a camera crew and an SJP look-alike tottering around in 6inch heels. Well, at least Soothe Clinic benefits - we're seeing an influx of camera operators at the moment - they're the ones wondering around with their heads to one side from holding cameras on one side for years and years. So a tip for all you camera operators this winter - wear a scarf! If you don't, and you hold your head to one side when filming on location out in the cold, you are at risk of sending your neck muscles into spasm. Trust me, I've seen it over the last few weeks like a blooming cherry tree. Also, make sure you stretch your neck and upper back before, during and after filming - it will make such a difference to you, and you could avoid looking like you're wearing an invisible neck brace over christmas - not cool!

Big Debate

2006-12-14T01:31:00.000Z

Big debate amongst the team today: whether or not to open the clinic between christmas and new year. After much thought and consideration, 2 gallons of tea and 10 packets of jaffa cakes, I am sorry to announce that the slopes of switzerland have lured Juliet away, the green green grass (lets be honest now...the guiness) of Ireland has lured Cyril away, and a tent on a beach in the south of France has won my vote. Sorry folks....we just couldn't do it this year! Maybe next year we will have polished our halos enough and will stay open but we're not there yet.. But rest assured my friends....we will be thinking of you...every waking moment...and in our different parts of the world we will be seeking native cures for arthritis, headaches, RSI, and low back pain....you are never far from our thoughts!

STOCKING FILLERS

2006-12-13T18:00:00.000Z

If anyone is stuck for an unusual stocking filler, why not give them a free osteopathic assessment? You can write on it 'Present from Coby' - i don't mind! If you really love them, you could even buy them a 'Special' gift voucher - only available to special people - and send them along to meet the Soothe Team in the new year... Tim is currently designing our 'special' vouchers - Thank God for Tim...that's what i say

Distressing news

2006-12-09T12:51:00.000Z

I have come in to work today to find all the jaffa cakes gone. I blame Juliet. If you see her she'll probably be looking a bit fat at the moment.

2006-12-07T01:52:00.000Z

CABBAGES CABBAGES CABBAGES...YOUR BEST FRIENDS IN WINTER! I cannot believe it is december. Gone are all the injured gardeners, and trapsing in are all the arthritis sufferers! Yes we osteopaths can tell the seasons by the conditions we treat each day! So given the achey joints that are rearing their ugly heads, I thought I would give you a tip for arthritic knees: CABBAGE POULITICES. It's true! I was taught it at university, and quickly dismissed it as a concept worthy discussion...so I understand your raised eyebrows. But over the years I have been told by many a sufferer of osteoarthritis that they really are worth a shot. So here's the gen: Take a leaf or 2 of a white cabbage, score them with a knife, or pulverize them. You can then either lay them on the skin with a hot wet tea towel on top, or you can simmer the leaves in hot water briefly before laying on the skin and covering with a tea towel. The cabbage is supposed to hold anti-inflammatory properties that help with the inflammation experienced in osteoarthritic joints. Have a go! ( and then come back and blog with us - tell us how you get on and if it helps...)

2006-11-23T18:54:00.000Z

Calling all achey neck sufferers!! Now that the weather's taken a cold turn, have you noticed how everyone seems to walk along the street with their shoulders hunched up around their ears?! ( I realise that as osteopath's we're probably a bit more obsessed with noticing everyone's posture, but I'm sure some of you will have spotted it too!) While this position does make you feel a little warmer, it also shortens the muscles about your neck and shoulders, resulting in them feeling stiff and achey, and bringing back any previous neck problems to the surface. How to avoid this? First choice would be a winter get-away to somewhere nice and warm... Quicker, cheaper option - wear a scarf!! Just notice how much taller you walk, and help to avoid those aching neck pains.

2006-11-16T13:39:00.000Z

Another good trick for easing everyday muscluar aches is using hot and cold compresses. All you need is a hot water bottle and an ice pack (covered with a pillowcase to protect your skin from ice burn). Place the hot compress on the sore spot for 3 mintues, then follow this with the cold compress for just 1 minute. You need to repeat this process three times to get the full effects, always finishing with the cold! However, if you have just injured yourself, it is best to use only the cold compress for 5 minute periods for the first two days following the injury. You can then move on to the hot/cold routine once the inital inflammation has gone down.

WELCOME TO OUR SOOTHE BLOG!

2006-11-09T21:49:00.000Z

This is a bit of an experiment on our part..we thought it would be a good opportunity to empty our heads of all the general back pain musings that wonder around in them itching for a chance of discussion and expression....and also to give you, our favourite people, a chance to ask us questions should the desire so happen upon you. SO HERE WE GO! I would like to start this momentous occasion with a question: Has anyone considered doing yoga to help them with their back pain? If not, TRY IT! It really works!!! So much of the back pain I treat on a daily basis is simply caused by lack of movement, by sitting for hours on end at desks, or on couches, or driving. The muscles just get really tight and stiff and just need a good stretch!

2006-11-09T21:41:00.000Z

JULIET KITCHING, OSTEOPATH

2006-11-09T16:38:00.000Z

CYRIL IRVINE, OSTEOPATH