Running into trouble?

It’s that time of year when the days are getting longer and you feel inspired to get out and get active... but have you done yourself a mischief?! Added to that spring time and early summer is a common time for events such as marathons, the Chester half marathon, 10Ks or the race for life, which means right now the roads are being pounded as training intensity increases. This also means the chance of being injured becomes very real, either old injuries come back to haunt us or new pains can occur. The important thing to realise is that ‘no pain no gain’ is a total fallacy and if you have persistent pain then you need to have the symptoms properly assessed, accurately diagnosed and specifically treated!

Many people think that Chiropractors don’t deal with problems that are away from the spine, but in fact we are trained to treat all areas of the body and commonly treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ITB friction syndrome, Achilles tendonitis...the list is pretty long! We look at the area as a whole and for example, a patient with knee pain will have a whole leg and pelvis alignment assessment, once we have diagnosed the underlying cause the symptoms we will then correct this with Chiropractic treatment. The treatment is very hands on and to reinforce and achieve the best results with the treatment we prescribed a home stretching and exercise regime also.

Having run competitively in my younger days I have had my fair share of injuries (if only my parents had taken me to see a Chiropractor!)... these days I still run for enjoyment and thanks to having the occasional treatment from a colleague I manage to keep my injuries at bay. On the bright side the injuries I had in my youth gave me an interest in the topic and my degree dissertation was looking into the epidemiology of running injuries, most common injuries, factors to cause injury and how to best manage injury.

So I very much enjoy treating this area and helping get the injured back out running again or help prevent an issue arising in the first place.... as the old saying goes PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

If you have any old niggles or new injuries and want to discuss how Chiropractic can help, just call The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester on 01244 682500 for our £5 consultation.

And another review for Rachel

....Exactly as it says on the tin! Another great testimonial left for Dr Rachel Jones @ The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester (137 Hough Green):

"To Rachel & the clinic

All the best for 2011 & thanks so much for the wonderfull treatments"

Beth Broad.

Always nice when the christmas cards start to roll in. Thankyou for that Mrs Broad, very much appreciated. hope you are still doing well!
(TCC)

Great review from another patient!

As it says on the tin!.....left for both Drs Jones & Harding (Rachel & Helen) at The Chiropractic Clinic on Hough Green in Chester:



"Thank you very much Helen was very helpful and of course Rachel has been a wonderful help. When I came here at first I could hardly walk but now I feel great and hoping to have a golf game again."

JMDC

Another patient testimonial for Rachel.

The service and treatment that I have received has been super, my problem does not exist now. Thank you very much.

Tony Scraston

Courses for horses!

It’s now the end of the busy summer season for many riders, and whilst the horses get a bit of a well earned rest...for the human counter-parts the hard work of short days and lots of extra mucking out begins. What many people don’t realise is that horses need Chiropractic too!

Having done a post-graduate course in Applied Equine Biomechanics I can treat horses...though seeing patients of the two legged variety at The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester keeps me pretty busy. The theory is the same it’s just difficult to get a horse on a treatment bench so I have to change the application of the treatment a wee bit.

My initial interest in Chiropractic was sparked when I had a pony that needed Chiropractic treatment, the treatment really helped him and I thought this is what I want to do! I use a massage tool similar to what we use in clinic but obviously it’s adapted to work through the much larger muscles an on horses’ back, I also have to use a lot more force on the horse as the muscles are very deep. The manipulations are also adapted to apply force through the joints... It’s pretty hard work but very rewarding!

Most horses develop back problems through having us on their backs, either through a poorly fitted saddle or the rider being unbalanced themselves. Often it’s the rider who needs their back and pelvis treated rather than the horse! So if you are reading this and you ride please make sure your bad back isn’t giving your poor horse back ache too! We are offering £5 consultations at The Chiropractic Clinic, so you can discuss your problems and figure out what we can do to help.

If you’d like to book a consultation just call the clinic on 01244 682500.

Rachels latest patient feedback:

The latest review left by a patient from The Chiropractic Clinic on Hough Green in Chester:

''Rachel has certainly made a difference to my painful neck and skull. I couldn't bare the pain but she has massaged it better for me. I can't believe it! I should have come much earlier, and will certainly keep coming here. Thank you Rachel, not even taking the painkillers now!''

Another patient testimonial for Rachel.

Recently we had another patient testimonial left for Rachel Jones at The Chiropractic Clinic, Hough Green, Chester.

"Rachel is quite simply the best! When I came to her I was suffering quite badly with a stiff and painful neck and back. Within a few weeks things are much improved and I am already enjoying cycling again. I would recommend Rachel to anyone and everyone!"

Julie Whyman
Rossett

.........and another patient testimonial for Rachel.

Another recent patient testimonial left at The Chiropractic clinic in Chester for Dr Jones......they just seem to keep rolling in (I have loads for Rachel that I just don't seem to get time to post up for her!) One day I will get organised and her blog will be subjected to a cascade of happy patient reviews!

"Rachel is amazing, she has ironed out all my aches and pains. I'm a new man!''

Jay

............Glad to be of assistance........tell all your friends!

Thanks Jay for that :-), very much appreciated.

....and another patient testimonial.....

Another recent patient testimonial for Rachel from The Chiropractic Clinic on Hough Green in Chester:

''Genius!

Back has been great, even better than before I hurt it! Thanks to you that is. Have carried on with exercises and careful with posture. Have even changed my car! No more aches in bed, however I sleep.

So thanks again to you and everyone there, will make appointment to see you shortly.''

Nick Minnery

....and another recent testimonial from a patient.

Yet another recent patient testimonial left for Rachel by a patient at The Chiropractic Clinic on Hough Green in Chester:

"The Care and treatment I received from Rachel was absolutely second to none - my neck pain is completely gone and I feel fantastic. I would have no hesitation in recommending her in future.

Many thanks,''

Frazer

Neck pain is one of the most common problems that we treat, it probably makes up for about 40% of the patients that we see, and is often associated with headaches, migraine, or indeed the more common shoulder, arm and hand symptoms that nerve irritation in the neck can cause.

There is loads of information about neck problems and the way in which we can help on our 'neck' page on the website: www.thechiroclinic.co.uk/neck.html or if you would like any further information about what we do, and how we might be able to help, just give the chester clinic a bell on 01244 682500.

Getting active for summer...

Now the weather is improving and the days are getting longer there are less excuses for not being active. To set a good example I’ve pumped up the tyres on my bike and have started cycling to The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester! There are many benefits to exercise;

· You are less likely to have joint pain or lower back pain if you do exercise. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint problem and affects nearly everyone over the age of 60. Regular, moderate activity, especially walking, has been linked to a lower risk of osteoarthritis.
· Eight out of 10 people have lower back pain at some time in their lives, but people who exercise are less likely to suffer from it.
· Osteoporosis (low bone density) is when your bones become brittle and prone to fracture. You can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis by doing high-impact exercise such as running and skipping. This puts weight on your bones, increases bone density in younger people and slows down their degeneration later in life. But choose low-impact, weight-bearing exercise, such as gentle walking or swimming, if you already have osteoporosis.
· You are likely to feel happier, more satisfied with life and have an improved sense of wellbeing if you are physically active. Introduce regular exercise into your routine and you should sleep better, lower your stress levels and boost your self-image. It's also possible that it may improve brain function in children and older adults.

The average adult needs to exercise at least 30minutes everyday to get the health benefits described above though you don't need to spend hours at the gym or run marathons to be healthy. You can do three 10 minute or two 15 minute bouts to reach your minimum of 30 minutes and this can be as effective as lengthier sessions. You might find this a more manageable target to begin with.

The easiest way to sustain an exercise habit is to incorporate it into your daily routine. One way to raise your level of physical activity is to cycle or walk to work instead of taking the bus or driving. Use stairs instead of the lift, and spend more time gardening or walking in the park - this will help to increase your energy output.

Sometimes it's hard to motivate yourself to be more physically active and it can feel like a chore. Start by changing the way you think about regular exercise. Remind yourself that it will make you feel better, and will probably improve the quality and length of your life. Most importantly, it can be fun!

Before you start any drastic new exercise plans ask your Chiropractor or GP for advice, or get that niggly pain that has put you off exercise diagnosed and treated. We are offering £5 consultations at The Chiropractic Clinic so come discuss how we can help get you more active!

Grosvener Shopping Center in Chester Promotion.

Thanks to everyone who came down to the Grosvener Shopping Center in Chester last Saturday. Myself and a my colleague Helen were available for members of the pubic to ask about their musculoskeletal problems. There was a great deal of interest shown and we gave free and useful advice to many shoppers. We offer £5 consultations at the clinic...so if you missed out on Saturday you can always come down to the Chester clinic and discuss your muscle, joint and nerve problems there!

......and another patient review!

The testimonials are coming in thick and fast at the moment, particularly for Rachel working from The Chiropractic Clinic at 137 Hough Green in Chester. This one was received at the end of last week from a recently discharged patient of Rachel's:

"I came to the practice in agony but after a few weeks treatment I felt fine. Rachel was excellent, I can now walk free from pain. I hope I don't need your services in future but I will have no hesitation in calling for your help if needed."

Best wishes

Jane Whitehouse

The latest patient testimonial for Rachel

Here is another Testimonial from a Patient, this time for Dr Rachel Jones at The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester.

"Rachel has been an absolute star in sorting out my back/neck pain after years of bad posture.The service is always extremely professional & friendly.Would definitely recommend her skills!"

Gillian Spragg

Yet another recent testimonial!

Another recent patient testimonial left for Rachel at The Chiropractic Clinic on Hough Green in Chester.

"Rachel is fantastic, every time I leave the clinic my leg feels great, no pain or aching, thanks Rachel, you have got me walking again without a limp."

Anita Wineyard

Merry Christmas from The Chiropractic Clinic

A word or two on the Shoulder!

The 'true' shoulder joint is the glenohumeral joint - where the top of the arm meets the rest of the body. The shoulder complex includes the collar bone at the front, shoulder blade to the back. Therefore shoulder pain can cover quite a large area of different structures.

The shoulder is extremely mobile,....more in fact than any other joint in the body. Whilst this makes it extremely useful it's also more prone to injury through overuse and trauma. Because of this rehabilitative exercises, posture and ergonomics form an essential aspect to treatment. Correcting sports or exercise technique may also play an important role in resolving shoulder problems.

Specific shoulder problems in a little more detail:

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) - This occurs when the capsule around the shoulder joint adheres to itself with inflammation. Shoulder movement is greatly restricted and in the acute stage is accompanied by severe pain.

Tendonitis - Inflammation of a tendon. Occurs with most shoulder injuries, pain tends to be increased on movement.

Bursitis - Inflammation of a bursa (fluid filled sac). Often associated with tendonitis, trauma or rotator cuff tear. Characterised by hot swelling with marked pain on movement.

Rotator Cuff - This is a muscle tear. It usually follows trauma and is very painful. A common sports injury.

Impingment Syndrome - Inflammation caused by a reduction of space within the shoulder joint. Often aggravated and indeed caused by frequently using your arms above your head. Associated with Oesteo-arthritic changes to the bones themselves, and frequently accompanied by joint instability.

Instability - Simply when your shoulder is able to move outside its structural limits. If caused by a trauma it is often associated with joint dislocation, and is of course usually instantly very painful. If non-traumatic onset, it can be caused by repetitive and excessive use particularly through throwing sports or swimming, or indeed you can simply be born with it.

We do treat other problems that occur in the shoulder and the surrounding tissue as well, but this is just a short list of some of the more common presentations. If you are suffering with shoulder pain, then hopefully this quick guide will go some way towards helping you to form an idea of what the problem might be, and of course give you an idea of the kind of problems that we can help with at The Chiropractic Clinic. To find out more just give us a bell at one of our clinics (listed above), and we will arrange for you to talk to Rachel, or one of the other Chiropractors to find out if and how we can help.

Another Recent Patient Testimonial!

A recent testimonial left for Rachel by a patient at The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester:

"After all the time I have struggled with my shoulder I just about gave up, I found this clinic and also found my shoulder again. Hopefully, thanks to everyone who has enjoyed hurting me I will make the world power lifting championships in Las Vagas later this year.

Many, many thanks"

Dave Tickle

Vice President of the British Power Lifting Org and Secretary of the European Powerlifting Congress

http://www.bpopowerlifting.co.uk/

A Recent Patiend Testimonial

A recent patient testimonial from The Chiropractic Clinic in Chester.

''Really Happy with the treatment I received from Rachel. Very friendly, courteous and professional. Would definitely recommend the practice. 5 Star!!

Thanks''

Phil Simmons

Dr Rachel Jones BSc Hons(Chiro) DC

Dr Jones graduated with first class honors degree from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic. A talented sportswoman, having represented both Wales and the UK for Tetrathlon, (Running, Shooting, Horse riding and Swimming). Rachel has a special interest in treating athletes, has completed post graduate specialist qualifications in extremities (peripheral joints), as well as Equine Chiropractic. She has been team Chiropractor for Llangollen Rugby Club, and works from our Chester Clinic.