Some people feel they can not see a chiropractor because they suffer from a skin complaint. Rest assured I have seen just about any type of skin complaint these days.

Over the years I have seen lots of different types of skin, with lots of different diseases on it. Obviously I will not put my self at risk if you suffer from anything contagious. But you will probably find that you will be more apprehensive about your skin, than I am aware of your skin complaint.

The other great thing about me, is that I can look at your back. An area that is hard to view properly yourself. I have spotted a few skin cancers over the years (they have all been treated successfully), and things like shingles are “old hat” now. Psoriasis does not face me, but be aware that there may be a connection between achy joints and psoriasis. There is actually a condition called “Psoriatic Arthritis”.

So do ask if you have something on you skin you are not sure about. I will always make a note of this in your file, so we can compare any changes at your next appointment.

Do you ever wonder why your neck is killing you after a spate of time on the laptop, where as you can sit at the desk PC for hours? Well the answer is simple. POSTURE.

With the desk PC you should have the screen at eye level, about arms length from you and the keyboard right in front of you at the right height. This kind of set-up combined with a good chair, will ensure you are not putting extra strain on the upper back, hence creating tension in you neck and shoulder.

Now try to get that kind of setup with a laptop PC! Yes, almost impossible! The main thing to remember with laptops are, do not stay on them too long. If you have no other PC setup then get one of these modern laptop cradles, which lift the keyboard up to 45 degrees, thus lifting the screen off the desk. Closer to your eye level.

Any recurrent pain and the neck and shoulders, possibly mixed with a good headache and you have the perfect Chiropractic patient, who would benefit from some treatment.

Go on, stop suffering, sort out your PC and get that appointment booked with the Chiropractor, if you are still suffering. I will be very happy to help you get pain-free again.

I spent Monday evening at a Networking event, near the Clinic. About 20 people there, all running a small business. No one really knew each other, so we were all in the same boat. After 2 hours of chatting about what we do, we all came away with  a handful of new business cards and new contact.

So you probably ask. What was the point of that? Well, networking is the easiest way to spread the word about your business. There is no advertising cost, and you speak face to face with a real person. They may not need your service right now, but they will then speak to someone else. And suddenly your name is know by a lot of people.

As you know the Clinic has been going since 1996. And yet there are still people who have no idea we are on Hamilton Square! Hence if they do not know how wonderful Chiropractic is, then they can not recommend their friends. So networking is like putting little pebbles in the water and watching the rings spread over a vast area. Keep doing it and you create a wave.

So next time you see someone who is in pain, or some one who is suffering from a trapped nerve. Tell them about Chiropractic – Spread the word. Do some networking. Thank you

You will often hear me tell you to use an icepack. The icepack is great for a low back pain, local to the small of the back. 5 minutes every hour if the pain is really intense. The icepack is like a painkiller, an anti-inflammatory to get rid of the swelling in the joint, that is adding to your pain. Most people think the hot-pack is a must. Actually the heat is best applied to the muscles, not to the joints.

The cold weather we have been “enjoying” lately is totally different to using an icepack. The cold weather will make you tense up hence you hunch your shoulders. And you tense in the muscles. Plus you can not control the cold weather. The icepack is something you use actively to help reduce the inflammation in the area.

So if used correctly the icepack is a great tool to help you get rid of pain. The cold weather is super, if you wrap up warm and go for a walk in the crisp air.

I was asked today to treat a 45 year old female who had a full hysterectomy only 4 days ago. She is a long standing patient, who actually have 5 children, so I ended up going to her house to treat her.

4 days ago she had a full hysterectomy (done “internally”, hence no scar on the stomach), a scheduled operation due to long-standing problems. The op went very well and she was back home after 2 days. I agreed to treat her today as her back was very sore plus she had some “bowel pain” that would not ease with traditional painkillers.

She had a gentle session of chiropractic treatment, geared to her discomfort levels. Almost immediately her lower back pain eased, and 10 minutes later she described how her stomach/bowel pain was markedly less. We also had a good chat about general exercises with especially the ankles to avoid any chance of clots in the calf’s.

So even when you have had major surgery very recently, there are various chiropractic techniques, that can help ease the mechanical pain you may have post-op. It is allways worth asking. Dont just suffer in silence.

As you know the Wii is a great games console for all ages. BUT in the last 3 days I have seen 2 patients who managed to overdo it and give them self some real pain.

First, a gentleman who is normally an avid golfer. He spent 3 hours on sunday playing golf on the Wii. And then wondered why his back was killing him, monday morning. As I explained to him, on the golf-course you walk between hitting the ball. On the Wii you stand still and hit the ball almost every 30 seconds! So the advice to him, was walking around the front room between the strokes.

The second patient was a 30 year old female who was wondering why her right shoulder was a mess this morning. I eventually dragged the info out of her, that she had spent 2 hours on the Wii playing tennis! Again, great exercise but nothing like a real tennis game.

So enjoy the Wii, but do it sensibly. As I always say, “little and often”

A 73 year old lady came to the Clinic yesterday with a raging low back pain! It started about a week ago for no real reason, but she was now almost unable to walk. She had been a patient in the past, but had been pain free for almost 3 years.

I quickly examined her and reassured her it was mainly muscular in origin. She was baffled as to why it had suddenly hit her with such vengeance. So I started asking a few questions regarding anything unusual that had happened in the last 4-8 weeks. Nothing really, was the initial answer. Oh she said. I have had 3 bereavements since early December, all close family or close friends!

I explained to her that this was the most likely casue of her back pain. The mental trauma of the last 6 weeks had “rocked” her back, hence sitting last friday in an akward chair at the last funeral, was enough to throw her back out. She was greatly relieved at this and felt more at ease in herself, once she understood this connection between her recent bereavements and a real physical pain in her back.

So, as you know Chiropractic is about mechanical pain, but occasionally the origin of the pain is not straight forward.

As you know, the Clinic has quarterly events, in house, to introduce people to other aspects of health care. Past events have been very successful. So to get the New Year off to a good start, put this date in your diary

Thursday 5th of February, 6.30-9.30pm

There are 3 superb ladies lined up as speakers, Olivia Stefanino, Marie-Claire Carlyle and Lynn Williams. Together they will help you clear your mind of clutter, and negativity plus give you guidance in Positive Parenting!

So call Reception to secure your place at this event, and get 2009 of to a great start.

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of listening to a great speaker called Olivia Stefanino at the “Chester Ellesmere Port Business Forum”. Olivia is a top coach, hypnotherapist and international author, who happens to live in Chester. Check out her website www.beyourownguru.com for more details.

Anyways, Olivia gave the audience an introduction to how you can let go of “negative stuff” from the past, thus improving your future. Ultimately creating a happier environment for yourself. Sounds like the perfect start for 2009!

We are very lucky at the Clinic to be able to offer you direct access to Olivia and her superb work. Either in person or via the 2CD disc she has for sale in Reception. Or you can come to the next Open Evening we have at the Clinic on the 5th of February to hear Olivia in person. The possibilities are endless.

Happy New Year to all and everyone of you.