What is Osteopathy?

Here's the description from the Osteopathic Alliance.

"Osteopathy is a philosophy of healthcare that acknowledges that the living body is a self-renewing, self-regenerating, self-recuperating system which maintains health constantly throughout life. Whenever that health-maintaining system is compromised, symptoms or disease could develop. Osteopathy is concerned with that which has compromised health rather than the resulting condition.

"Osteopaths have been regulated by statute since 1993. They are trained to diagnose conventionally and also to use their hands to assess body function and dysfunction. This gives the osteopath uniquely sensitive information about the disability within the body and how this insight might be used to help restore health.

"Although people commonly describe their symptoms in terms of conventional medical conditions, osteopaths do not primarily treat medical conditions; they are more concerned with the cascade of events which could have contributed to the development of those medical conditions."

As the old year turns...

This is my last Chandos Clinic entry of 2015. It's blowing an absolute hooly outside and patients are stumbling inside the warmth of the clinic all wet and wind-battered. Wherever you are, I hope this finds you warm and dry. And it goes without saying, in good health! However you are spending new year, I hope it exactly meets your desires and expectations. Dec 31st can be a funny one, so be kind on yourself. From all of us at The Chandos Clinic, we would like to wish all our patients and their families, a very happy healthy 2016, and look forward to helping you in the future, whenever you need us.

In the meantime, here are some words of wisdom via The Guardian. It looks good advice to me for every day, not just new year!

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/dec/28/new-year-new-you-how-to-be-happy

Remember to take it steady when making your Christmas merry!

My natural inclination was to share my excellent recipe for Christmas mulled cider, so it is with a virtuous heart that I post this article from The Telegraph about the stresses that alcohol puts on our entire system. It's not easy reading folks, but invaluable all the same. So please enjoy this festive season, but do remember to reign in, especially when it comes to that extra tipple.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wellbeing/health-advice/what-alcohol-does-to-your-body-after-the-age-of-40/?ref=yfp

(And it could have been worse: I've an even better recipe for hot buttered rum!)

Embrace the Rot!

My last blog encouraged you to kick up the leaves on a good walk. Here, by way of this excellent article from The Guardian, I'm advidsing that when it comes to your garden or your allotment... leave them be! Resist the urge to tidy up and let nature do it's thing, nourishing the soil with decaying leaf matter and creating a harbour for all sorts of friendly bugs. A healthy garden is a happy garden, and in my experience, a happy garden makes happy people makes healthy people... and that's what we're all about!
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/07/alys-fowler-restrain-urge-to-tidy

Happy Autumn!

Here at The Chandos Clinic, the heating has kicked in, patients are coming in wearing fleeces, and the leaves are falling passed our reception window. For many of us, autumn is a favourite time of year, and while the rain keeps away (say it quietly!), what better time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful colours, take photographs, kick up fallen banks of leaves and fill your pockets with conkers (put them in your drawers to deter moths and by your skirtings to deter spiders!). Here are a list of places from The Forestry Commission to experience autumn at it's best, with walks averaging just 2 miles, so not excluding the very old or very young. Our own Westonbirt is top of the list, of course, as well as the Forest of Dean and the Quantocks. Nature at it's most stunning, so do go out and breathe it in!

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/autumntop10

Exercise: good for your body AND your brain!

We all know that phyical exercise is good for us, but it seems it is also good for maintaing a healthy brain. Do read this article from Nordic walking instructor, Vicky Welsh, about how getting our blood pumping also provides us with far-reaching brain power: aiding learning, maintaining focus, and helping to ward off dementia.

http://www.bristolnordicwalking.co.uk/blog/get-out-and-walk-your-brain-will-thank-you

The holidays are over, time to let the good stuff begin!

A lot of children have gone back to school today, and for many parents, this is the opportunity for putting new well-being practices in to place. A sort of New (academic) Year's Resolution! Having read this article from Medscape on the benefits of Pilates (something that's been on my own to-do list for far too long), do consider this as something to incorporate in to your lives, for far-reaching health benefits.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/850106?nlid=87844_1842&src=wnl_edit_medp_wir&uac=206925EX&spon=17&impID=811198&faf=1