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 […]
Author archives: Sandie E
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 […]
Technology and Its Impact on Your Neck Health
Technology in all its forms is an increasingly integral part of daily life. Most adults (and many children) own and regularly use a smart device, and they’re brilliant tools that allow us to work, shop, book holidays, listen to music, read books, watch movies, learn new skills, and catch up with friends and family on […]
Feet, friend or foe?
Our feet are one of the hardest working parts of the body and under constant stress. It’s easy to take them for granted, they hang around at the end of our legs, trying to adapt to being jammed into a pretty but often ill-fitting shoe or being smothered inside socks and trainers. They may take […]
Vitamin D, are you making your optimal level?
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and indicates the official start of summer in our city. With an average of 16 hours of daylight guaranteed for the next couple of months, this is the perfect time to be topping-up our sunshine vitamin.
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Nearly 30% of people experience teeth grinding and jaw clenching which is medically called bruxism. Almost 10% of those that grind do it so severely that their teeth are reduced to small stumps. Bruxism affects all ages groups, children to adults, causing severe tooth damage, jaw disorders, and headaches.
Not just the “Kiss of Time” Understanding Arthritis and its Impact
Have you ever felt an unexpected ache in your joints and wondered if it’s just age catching up with you—or is it something more like Arthritis?
Bone health: Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Our bones are “living tissue.” of continually renewing cells, blood vessels nerves, and minerals. Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are conditions in which this process is affected causing bones to become weak with a higher risk for fractures.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
You are probably aware that new data collection rules come into force on in May. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) takes effect May 25, 2018. It replaces Data Protection Act 1998 and is designed to unify data privacy requirements across the European Union (EU).
How to look after your moles
We had a rare sunshiny tropical public holiday weekend here in London, in fact, it was the hottest May Day Bank Holiday ever! With the resulting flurry of people donning their summer or holiday clothes. In an attempt to soak up the rays, or cool off many people flocked to beaches and parks or lounged […]
Hip problems explained
Hip problems are common, the cause may be apparent, like an injury that comes on suddenly while gardening, running for the train or playing sports. However, sometimes the reason is not as clear, as symptoms may come on gradually. Hip problems can be one of the kisses of time problems and considered part of the […]
Seasonal Allergies: Hayfever
Spring has finally sprung, the days are lighter and trees full of beautiful blossom. Sadly for many people this is the beginning of miserable time as they endure seasonal symptoms from allergy conditions, including hay fever.
5 Pilates exercises for hips, knees and ankles
Movement matters are the blog section 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, […]
Your brain on anxiety
Here is a link to a great little film by Dr John Kenworthy on how our brain reacts and the body responds to anxiety and stress. It’s technical in parts but explains how and why we behave the way we do in perceived stressful situations. With this understanding, you can manage your stress response symptoms […]