Mini squat exercise
• whilst standing maintaining a neutral spine, release deep hip muscles (think of separating your sit bones).
• squat down half-way, bringing your arms forwards and allowing the chest to come forward but the spine in a neutral position.
• as you come back to the starting position, keep your lower back as relaxed as possible.
• Repeat 10 times.
• If you are feeling brave repeat standing on one leg.
Two knee surgeons at University Hospital Leuven have described a previously unclassified ligament in the human knee – introducing the Anterolateral ligament (ALL). The ligament appears to play an important role for patients with Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
In 1879 French Surgeon, Paul Segond postulated the existence of the ALL and it has now been shown to have an important role in ‘pivot shifts’ which cause instability and giving way of the knee following ACL repair.
ACL injury tends to happen when the knee is twisted with a fixed or planted foot. It is one of the most common traumatic knee injuries. Following repair or injury for the ACL patients will often have to live with a degree of instability and occasional giving way. It seems that this may be in part due to the damage to both ligaments during the initial injury.
The knee joint is very complex, it is a hinge joint and provides both flexion up to about 135 degrees and extension where the knee is locked at 180 degrees. It gives a small amount of transverse movement and around 45 degrees internal and external rotation which allows the knee to lock and provides stability when planting the foot.
In terms of knee function the ALL is thought to help stabilise the internal rotational movement.
An exciting day for physical therapists and knees alike!
References: Claes, S.; Vereecke, E.; Maes, M.; Victor, J.; Verdonk, P.; Bellemans, J. (Oct 2013). “Anatomy of the anterolateral ligament of the knee.”. J Anat 223 (4): 321–8. doi:10.1111/joa.12087. PMID 23906341.
For the whole of October in conjunction with the charity, Back Care, and the British Osteopathic Association (BOA), we are supporting this year’s National Back Care Awareness Week..
This year’s theme is caring for carers. Unpaid carers make a massive contribution to healthcare provision in this country. It is estimated that they save the NHS and social services around £119bn each year looking after the disabled, sick and elderly.
Carers often suffer for their commitment. With little or no training in health and safety or manual handling, they are prone to injury and often struggle to access healthcare for themselves. In a recent survey, 83% of carers reported that caring had affected their physical health.
We are offering a 20% discount for new and existing patients that are either full or part time carers, the offer is for either Osteopathy or remedial massage
Call 01244 316660 or email info@3haresclinic.com for further details.
We have in stock some fantastic memory foam pillows ergonomically designed to help support the natural contours of your neck when either on your back or lying on your side. The pillow is adjustable and is therefore suitable for multiple body shapes and sizes. Some of its features are listed below.
Prices range from £50 with discounts available for multiple orders.
Made-to-Measure – Two easily removable inserts allow you to change the shape and height to suit your comfort and posture. Takes the risk out of your pillow being too high, too low, too hard or too soft. It’s all so simple. One size suits all!
It’s so easy to change the pillow to suit your personal needs. You’ll love the adjustment options the Complete Sleeper pillow gives you.
Please email the clinic or call for more details.
info@3haresclinic.com
01244316660
I’ve suffered with back, neck and shoulder problems since a football injury when I was 15 years old; I’m now 37. The original injury was a broken collar bone and a broken shoulder blade, and for over twenty years I have intermittently been treated by various physiotherapists and chiropractors.
To their credit, I’ve been provided with temporary ‘quick fixes’ each time I’ve had problems.
My experience with 3 Hares Clinic has been different. It’s not just about the relaxed environment; Tom has identified areas that were injured but have been left untreated for over 20 years. He explains the techniques he’s using, ensures that you’re comfort and welfare is paramount, and provides advice, tips and guidance on aftercare.
This has made a big difference to my life; I can’t even feel the shoulder injury after having just a few sessions.
Gary, Ellesmere Port.
We are offering a new referral scheme from May 20th 2013, if you refer 3 or more patients to the clinic you get a 50% reduction on your next treatment. The offer applies to Osteopathy and Sports Massage patients only at this stage but we may be including other therapies soon.
Please contact us for further details.
Thanks so much to all the patients who continue to support the clinic, we look forward to seeing you again.
I had long-standing, severe facial pain from a combination of TMJ disorder and osteoarthritis. In three sessions, Tom has helped me enormously. I now have a safety net for when the pain comes back. I just have a huge feeling of relief and can’t thank him enough!
Julia
Chinese medicine is highly effective in caring for both mother and baby during pregnancy. Since the late nineties there has been evidence to suggest that your breech baby can be turned to its optimal position for birth using moxibustion, a Chinese medicine technique.
It’s done by using moxa stick to warm the acupuncture point at the end of your little toe, the last point on your bladder meridian!
You’d be forgiven for thinking that it all sounds like a load of hocus pocus. However, the Chinese have been doing this for women for centuries with great success. Ok, it’s not the kind of procedure you’re used to when it comes to all matters pregnancy but it’s natural, stress-free for you and baby, and more often than not, it works.
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique which has been used for thousands of years by acupuncturists. It involves the use of moxa sticks (made from dried mugwort) to apply heat to acupuncture points – this particular herb is chosen because of the intensity of heat it produces when burned. When attempting to turn a breech baby, the acupuncture point that is used is called ‘Bladder 67’ and it is located on the little toe. Bladder 67 is at the end of the Bladder meridian, an acupuncture energy line which runs from the inner edge of each eye, across the top of the head, down each side of the spinal cord (where it branches to the bladder), down the back of both legs to terminate next to the nail on the little toes. By stimulating this point the muscles in the uterus are relaxed and the baby is able to turn into the ‘head down’ position.
While stimulating Bladder 67, either with Moxa sticks or during a regular acupuncture treatment, the baby can become incredibly active … an amazing experience for both the mum-to-be and for the practitioner!
Most babies present head down (cephalic presentation), however approximately 3% present bottom first … this is called Breech Presentation. Breech babies are normally delivered by Caesarean Section due to increased risks of infant mortality and morbidity. If appropriate, from 36-37 weeks mums are offered a procedure called ECV (External Cephalic Version), where an obstetrician will attempt to turn the baby by pushing on the baby through the mother’s abdomen to encourage the baby to do a somersault and move into the head down position. The ECV procedure can be quite uncomfortable for mum and baby. An alternative to the ECV which is gaining popularity with midwives in the West is Moxibustion, as this procedure encourages the baby to turn spontaneously, and is a pleasant stress free natural experience.
Moxibustion is a safe and gentle way of attempting to turn a breech baby, as the baby does all the work. A full and detailed consultation is always taken to ensure holistic approach is taken and that both mum and baby are fully informed of the procedure.
The ideal time for moxibustion is from 33 weeks, onwards. When attempting moxibustion we do not want the baby to engage as it will be too late, as birth may happen any time soon. So timing is crucial to success.
Treatments should be continued 2-3 times a week. The client remains fully clothed throughout the treatment with the exception of bare feet. A moxibustion treatment with Matt takes 1 hour the first half of the treatment consists of building a holistic picture of what is happening in the body. The second half of the treatment will consist of moxibustion and acupuncture.
If your baby has turned, you will feel a great deal of movement followed by less pressure under your diaphragm, and you will be able to breathe more easily. You will also feel the baby’s kicking in a different place. Get the baby’s position checked by your Doctor or Midwife. Generally, once the baby has turned, the weight of their head tends to keep them head down.
Tom is very talented; I just wish someone had told me about him much earlier!
It took just one treatment for Tom to resolve the severe pain I felt in my lower back. I then asked him to look at my left shoulder which had been troubling me for more than six months – and which had not responded to other treatments. Amazingly (at least for me) my shoulder is now making measurable improvement and the pain has reduced to virtually nil.
(Peter, Cuddington)
The British Osteopathic Association (BOA) is giving its full support to this year’s National Back Care Awareness Week. The theme, this year, is Builder’s Back Pain.
Tom Austen of 3 Hares Clinic, Chester commented:
“3 Hares Clinic and The BOA are delighted to give their support to National Back Care Awarerness Week which aims to raise awareness of the causes and treatments of this debilitating condition. Back pain accounts for half of all chronic pain people suffer and is the leading cause of sickness absence from work.”
The financial burden of back pain is enormous, costing the UK economy £37 million, £13 million in disability benefits and the NHS £1.3 million EVERY DAY. That’s a staggering £19 billion every year.
This year’s campaign is focusing on the construction industry, which generates 30,000 new back injuries each year. Most back injuries for construction workers are typically sprains and strains that occur in the lower back due to activities where you lift, lower, carry, push, or pull.
The risk of injury increases if you repeatedly carry heavy loads and must twist your back, or if you tend to work bent over or in awkward positions. An osteopath can identify and tackle the underlying musculo-skeletal problems that cause pain and a large number of patients who have already been prescribed painkillers no longer need their prescriptions.
Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide range of treatment techniques, such as soft tissue and neuro-muscular massage, joint mobilising techniques and corrective manipulations designed to improve the mobility and range of movement of a joint.
• Cut down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used.
• Try to store heavier materials at waist height.
• Raise your work to waist level, if you can.
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and dry. Slips and trips are a big cause of back injuries.
• Take rest breaks. When you are tired, you can get injured more easily.
• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move materials—not your back.
• Use carrying tools with handles to get a good grip on odd-shaped loads.
• If materials weigh more than about 50 pounds, do not lift them by yourself. Get help from another worker or use a cart.
• When lifting or carrying materials, keep the load as close to your body as you can.
• Try not to twist when lifting and lowering materials. Turn your whole body instead.
• Lift and lower materials in a smooth, steady way. Try not to jerk to lift.
• When you pick up materials off the ground, try supporting yourself by leaning on something while lifting. Also don’t bend over; instead, kneel on one knee and pull the load up on to your knee before standing. Make sure to wear knee pads when you kneel.
If you would like any further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We would be more than happy to help with any enquires
www.3haresclinic.com Book Online or Call 01244316660 for appointments.
