Potassium is a mineral and one of the body’s essential electrolytes, and it has many vital roles in maintaining our health. Found in all body tissues and required for normal cell function helping to regulate fluid balance, the electrical activity of the heart and the control of other muscles. Potassium is present in many foods […]
Author archives: Sandie E
Coccyx pain explained
The tailbone, or coccyx, sits at the very bottom of your spine, just below the sacrum. It’s a small, triangular bone that looks like a tiny tail. The coccyx comprises 3 to 5 small bones, called coccygeal vertebrae, which are held together by ligaments.
Calming the monkey mind
Mindfulness and meditation are everywhere; it’s being offered as a cure-all for everything from IBS and low-self esteem to help pain management and depression. There is good science to confirm the benefits, and growing research shows that when people train to be more mindful, they are rewiring the physical structure of their brain, but what […]
Zinc, the inside scoop
Zinc is an essential trace element involved in many crucial processes in our body including the optimal function of over 300 enzymes, facilitating digestion, strengthening the heart, metabolising nutrients, and maintaining our immune system and fighting free-radical damage.
Touch, the silent language of compassion, communication, and connection.
Welcome to 2019! I wanted the first entry of this new year to be about something significant, meaningful and potentially life-changing, so let’s talk about the benefits of touch. Touch is our first sense to develop and the first language we learn; while in the womb, foetuses touch their face to learn about themselves. As […]
High blood pressure, explained
Studies estimate that one in four adults in the UK to have high blood pressure without realising it because it rarely has any signs or symptoms. Hypertension the medical term for high blood pressure, untreated it increases the risk of severe health problems..
Alcohol, the good, the bad and the confusing.
Alcohol is a Jekyll and Hyde character; inextricably linked with so many good events in most people’s lives. Many of the happiest times celebrated with a clink of glasses and a little (or a lot) of your favourite tipple. In contrast, how many times have you reached for an alcoholic drink due after hearing bad […]
Anaemia
Do you struggle to get through the day? Or get breathless, sluggish and weak doing everyday activities? These could be signs of anaemia. Anaemia leads to poor circulation of oxygen around the body and sometimes causes complications, although it’s rare, anaemia that remains untreated can even become deadly.
Movement matters, 5 exercise hacks for standing and balance
Proper alignment can help your body move in a way that’s efficient and intelligent, it can reduce the risk of injury and prevent wear and tear on joints. Standing well has other benefits too, our respiratory and digestive systems are more efficient when the body is aligned, and we can appear more confident. This simple […]
Prehabilitation, explained and how it can enhance your life.
Most people will have heard of physical or health rehabilitation, which aims to help people restore their full health or their normal life through hands-on therapy and physical training usually after illness, injury or surgery.
Serotonin, why you need it?
Serotonin is sometimes called the happy chemical because it contributes to wellbeing, mood and happiness. Serotonin is widely believed to be a neurotransmitter although some scientists think it is a hormone.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, winter depression, explained
Are you dreading the long cold dark evenings ahead now that the clocks have changed? Do you want to hibernate and overeat? If yes, you might be at risk of winter depression. Living in the northern hemisphere means the change of seasons can profoundly affect some people; low mood, craving carbohydrates, or simply wanting to hibernate through […]
Walking, are you getting the real benefits?
I was recounting a story in one of my classes recently about a man complaining about his struggle to find a parking space after a stressful drive to his “lovely health club”, where he jumped on a treadmill and walked for 30 minutes before driving home! Mmm, I know his part of the metropolis is […]
The Vagus Nerve, and your health
Like a super spy, the vagus nerve wanders around the body, reporting back to the brain subconsciously (secretly) with constant updates on what’s going on in our body. It is part of our protective stress response, noticing facial expressions, responding to people’s voices and monitoring our internal organs.
The Vagus Nerve, explained
The vagus nerve is the inner nerve centre leader, also known as the 10th cranial nerve or cranial nerve X. It’s the longest of the 12 paired cranial nerves in the body and has the most extensive distribution because it passes through the neck and chest into the abdomen. The vagus nerve controls the entire […]
Movement matters: exercise hacks for low back health
As an osteopath and Pilates teacher movement is always the first and most important goal I consider in my treatment plan. We need to get blood and other body fluids moving to naturally lengthen, contract and relax muscles. With the simple aim to create strong, flexible bodies and building resilience for everyday activities.Supporting people to […]
Delayed onset muscle soreness, explained.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness or DOMS is exercise-related muscle pain, which often peaks a day or two after the event. It is known as muscle fever, a beautiful exotic explanation to describe the distinctive muscle pain and soreness that nearly everyone experiences after intense or unfamiliar exercise. Muscle fever is a meaningful term because DOMS makes […]
Movement matters: Exercise hacks for neck and shoulder tension
Movement matters are the blog sections dedicated to getting you moving. Exercise hacks (*) are 5 -10 minutes offerings of simple home movement or ‘exercise’. Taken from my toolbox of somatic movement, osteopathic practice, Pilates exercise repertoire, personal and clients favourites. * Life hacks refer to shortcut or methods that increase productivity and efficiency, our […]
Headaches, causes, red flags and treatment
Persistent and chronic headaches can be can affect every aspect of a person life; work, relationships, family and friends, and may disrupt social and travel plans at short notice. People living with frequent headaches are also at increased the risk of depression and other mood disorders.
Headaches and pain explained
Approximately 50% of UK adults will have a headache each year, most of these are not dangerous, but they can debilitate and sometimes be a challenge to describe; the pain may be generalised involving the whole head or affect one part of the face, head or eye. Symptoms can vary from sharp and throbbing to […]