Do you ever wake up exhausted, only to find yourself wide awake at 3 am? Or reach for sugar when you are already stressed? That might be cortisol at work.
Understanding Cortisol: What It Is and Why It Matters

Do you ever wake up exhausted, only to find yourself wide awake at 3 am? Or reach for sugar when you are already stressed? That might be cortisol at work.
Picking up from part 1 (read it here), which explored what GLP-1 weight loss injections are, who they’re for, and how they work, we now focus on the risks, realities, and practicalities — what to watch for, how to use them safely, and what truly supports long-term success.
The talk around weight loss injections is as loud as the conversations about food noise right now (more on that later). From mainstream news and social media to whispers in coffee shops, these medications are probably the most asked-about topic I hear, second only to back pain.
Have you ever noticed your stomach twisting before a big event or your shoulders creeping up towards your ears when you’re stressed? That’s your body responding to your emotions. Feelings aren’t just in our heads—they show up physically, shaping the way we move, breathe, and even digest food. Understanding these signs can help us manage […]
Menopause is a natural part of ageing, but it’s often associated only with symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. What many don’t realise is that menopause can also significantly affect the muscles, joints, and bones. This section explores the musculoskeletal impacts of menopause and the emerging recognition of Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause. What is […]
What is CBT? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is widely used in the UK to address mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, and OCD. Its popularity stems from its effectiveness, accessibility, and structure. CBT works by helping individuals identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts, which can lead to improved emotional responses and behaviours.
Did you know that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is now being called menopause hormone therapy (MHT)?
Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition triggered by a reaction to gluten. It’s surprisingly common, affecting 1 in 100 people, but many are living with the condition undiagnosed.
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 […]
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.
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?
About 50% of people with back pain following a disc herniation develop bone oedema, inflammation, or bone marrow lesions within a vertebral body. These are known as Modic changes and are related to poor healing and recurrent disc herniation. Their presence is significant because it was an independent predictor of intense and disabling low back pain episodes affecting recovery time and […]
What is sleep hygiene? Here’s a lovely animated film which explains
Last time I was talking about stress and mentioned it does have some benefits but its the ongoing or severe chronic stress that concerns me as health professional and pilates practitionerStress is a part of everyday life; have you noticed how prolonged stress affect you or those around you?