Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare

NEW YEAR, NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS AND NEW EVENTS AT FINE FETTLE

2011-12-15T17:49:00.000Z

NEW SMALL GROUP CLASSES ARE COMING TO FINE FETTLE

PILATES CLASSES
Small group classes, starting 3rd January 2012, Tuesday 1-2pm and Thursday 7-8pm. 6 week course for £60

TEENAGER FITNESS CLASSES
Group class , with emphasis on how to train safely, for 15-18 year olds, starting 3rd January 2012, Tuesday 5-6pm. 6 week course for £45.

BACK IN ACTION - CHRONIC BACK PAIN CLASSES/REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation circuit class, set up for sufferers of chronic back pain, starting Saturday 7th January 2012. Led by chartered physiotherapist. Gentle sessions, with focus on reduction of pain and recovery. Saturday 10-11am 6 week course £60.

HYDROTHERAPY
Small group class, led by chartered physiotherapist in local pool. Ideal for injury recovery or low impact exercise. Starts Tuesday 10th of January 10.15 - 10.45.

ALL CLASSES MUST BE PREBOOKED. LOCAL LOCATIONS FOR CLASSES NEAR TO FINE FETTLE.

IBS SUPPORT CLINIC
Combination of nutrition, physical therapy and guided relaxation over a period of 4 weeks. FIRST 10 PEOPLE TO BOOK IN FOR THE IBS SUPPORT PROGRAMME BY THE END OF JANUARY 2012 WILL RECEIVE THE FULL PROGRAMME HALF PRICE!

For further information or booking see www.finefettle.org or email info@finefettle.org or call 01372 458984

MAKE 2012 YOUR YEAR FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS

Merry Christmas from all at Fine Fettle and hoping you all remain in "fine fettle" for 2012.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS - Know your own numbers!!

2011-08-18T17:01:00.000+01:00

18th August 2011

Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare IN Bookham OFFERS FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS DURING KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! WEEK

Fine Fettle will be warning the general public that ‘Ignorance isn’t always bliss’ as it urges everyone to get their free blood pressure check during this year’s Know your Numbers! Week (12-18 September).

Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare in Bookham, Surrey is among over 1,500 official ‘Pressure Stations’ taking part in the nation’s biggest blood pressure testing event run by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association.

A shocking 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure and a third of them have no idea as it has no symptoms. That’s around 5 million people whose lives are actually at risk because they don’t know their numbers.

Research from the Blood Pressure Association has revealed that almost three quarters of adults do not know their own blood pressure numbers. High blood pressure nearly always has no symptoms and for many people is ‘out of sight and out of mind’, but its effects can be devastating. It’s the UK’s biggest silent killer, being responsible for 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks. If it is detected though, it can be successfully managed.

Fine Fettle and the Blood Pressure Association are warning that ‘Ignorance really isn’t always bliss’. Adults should know their blood pressure numbers in the same way they know their height and weight and the only way to find out what they are is to have a blood pressure check. A quick, painless test can mean the difference between life and death or serious disability.

Fine Fettle will be offering free blood pressure checks at:

Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare, Rayleigh House, 32 High Street, Bookham, Surrey on Monday 12th September – 0900-1700

Thursday 15th September – 0900 - 1300

Friday 16th September – 1400-1800

Paul Newman, Chief Executive of the Blood Pressure Association, says,

“We are delighted Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare is taking part in Know your Numbers! Week 2011. Every organisation that takes part helps to emphasise the importance of knowing your blood pressure numbers and by offering the free checks could really be saving lives.”

“During this year’s campaign, we’re stressing the fact that ‘Ignorance isn’t always bliss’. High blood pressure is a dangerous condition when not managed and we hope everyone will take advantage of the free blood pressure checks to lower their risk of stroke and heart attack.”

To find out more about the campaign visit the Know your Numbers! website at www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn

If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call the Blood Pressure Association’s Information Line on 0845 241 0989.

-2-

Notes to Editors:

• For more information on Know your Numbers! Week, call 020 8772 4980/4997/4992, or email kyn@bpassoc.org.uk

• To contact the Blood Pressure Association Press Office, call Claire McLoughlin on 020 8772 4992 or email bpacomms@yahoo.co.uk

• For further information on Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare to arrange for your reporter to have their blood pressure checked, or for a photo or interview, please contact Helen Bullen at Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare on/at 01372 458984 or info@finefettle.org

• The Blood Pressure Association is the UK’s leading blood pressure charity working to lower the nation’s blood pressure. The charity provides information and support for people with high blood pressure and raises awareness to prevent the condition. For more information visit the charity’s main website at www.bpassoc.org.uk, or call 020 8772 4994.

• Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare provides a wide variety of complementary treatments all on one site. Our aim is to provide a one-stop centre where clients can choose or seek advice on a particular therapy for any condition or need. Fine Fettle offers a variety of therapies including: Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Acupuncture, Pilates, Personal Training, Therapeutic Massage, Hypnotherapy, Reflexology, Nutrition, Homeopathy and Counselling.

Facts about blood pressure from UK charity the Blood Pressure Association:

• One in three adults in the UK – 16 million – has high blood pressure. A third of these (5 million) don’t know they have the condition.

• High blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms. The only way to find out if you have the condition is to have a blood pressure check.

• Untreated high blood pressure is the major risk factor for stroke and heart attack. It is also a risk factor for heart and kidney disease and vascular dementia.

• A healthy blood pressure is a level of 120/80mmHg or less. If readings are consistently at or above 140/90mmHg, high blood pressure is diagnosed, and action should be taken to lower it.

• You can lower your blood pressure by having a healthier lifestyle, and, if necessary, by taking medication as directed by your doctor.

The Blood Pressure Association’s ‘Top five tips for a healthy blood pressure’:

1. Cut down on salt – don’t add it when cooking or at the table and check food labels to make sure you don’t eat more than 6g a day.

2. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – at least five different portions every day

3. Watch your weight – try to reach the right weight for your height.

4. Exercise regularly – that doesn’t have to mean the gym, how about a regular lunchtime walk? 30 minutes five times a week is ideal, but if you are unsure about taking up exercise and how much, ask your GP..

5. Drink alcohol in moderation – no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no more than 2-3 units for women (a pint of normal strength beer = 2 units, a medium glass of wine = 2 units).

Less Heel Strike

2011-07-28T18:03:00.001+01:00

Well its 4 months now since I started "experimenting" with forefoot running. As mentioned in my last blog this is report is not in any way a scientific research piece. Rather an average runner trying to understand the mechanics behind this new "craze"

So for 4 months I have been running in my Mizuno trainers which have less built up support and firstly I have to say I love them. I find them really comfortable which was a surprise if I am honest after years of built up "comfy" looking trainers. Trying to run on my forefoot has however proved a little more tricky as I can't naturally land that far forward when I run and when tired my left foot starts to do it own thing!! I think my speed is too slow for forefoot, so early on I decided to consider my running as "less heel strike" instead. My stride has shortened and I keep my feet underneath me rather than throwing my feet forward ahead of me and breaking my forward momentum. I have found hills less difficult (nearly wrote much easier there!!) as I feel the shorter stride with feet under the body makes me fall forward increasing my forward momentum. I also find that up hills I really concentrate on my running form so this distracts me from the pain (nearly wrote enjoyment there!!)

So I am a convert, perhaps not to forefoot running in the pure form but I know that the compression forces that used to be put through my knees have lessened and I have actually found running easier.

My next challenge is the Badger Half Marathon and to date I have gone up to 9 miles in preparation. I still have 10 weeks so I will gradually train with my own " Less heel strike" foot pattern. Perhaps I will knock off half an hour......realistically I dont intend for a fast (for me) run but rather a pain free run.

Bring on the hills.

Will update you all on my training log soon.

Any stories of your experiences of forefoot please share!

Fine Fettle Massage Therapist Walks for Charity

2011-05-27T17:52:00.002+01:00

One of our massage therapists has been busy of late, using legs instead of hands - to get over the finishing line of the MoonWalk London. 13 miles through the streets of London, during the night of 14th May to the early hours of May 15th, raising money and awareness for breast cancer. Caroline seen here with Katie Adderley and Vanessa Legg, after setting a leisurely pace, sightseeing on the way and indulging in the occasional nutritional midnight snack.

Caroline (centre of picture) is looking forward now to next initiative of encouraging women golfers, from golf clubs of the surrounding areas, to look after their bodies, as much as their golf equipment, during the busiest and most demanding part of the golfing calendar - the summer. And obviously not forgetting the men, with gift vouchers available for treatments, especially with Father's Day and all those summer birthdays on the horizon.

Contact Caroline at Fine Fettle on 01373 458984 for information or to book a treatment.

Princess Alice Hospice Virgin London Marathon

2011-04-21T12:13:00.000+01:00

For the past 3 years, Usha Christmas has supported the Princess Alice Hospice at the London Marathon; attending their pre-race meetings and providing on the day post event massage to the runners.

Congratulations to all those 17 wonderful individuals who generously raised £37k for the Princess Alice Hospice by running the Virgin London Marathon 2011.

Usha Christmas (MSST) is a fully insured Sports Therapy Practitioner and a registered member of the Society of Sports Therapists (SST).

To book in for treatment with Usha call Fine Fettle on 01372 458984

Fine Fettle succeeds in local business awards....

2011-04-19T12:28:00.000+01:00

We are really proud to announce that Fine Fettle MHC was the Runner Up in the local Chamber of Commerce Business awards. We are also delighted to announce that Helen Bullen (founder of Fine Fettle) was awarded Runner Up in the Business Personality Award.

All in all a fantastic achievement for the team at Fine Fettle and a perfect way to celebrate our 1st Anniversary of our opening. We were competing against 70 other well established businesses for the awards so absolutely delighted in the final result.

Helen being still very competitive from her Volleyball days...is now champing at the bit to get the first prize next year!! Second was never an option in her sporting days and nothing has changed.

Pictured are Helen from "Fine Fettle" (Left) and Nicky from "Run to Live" (Right) with their "personality awards"!! Nicky was a worthy winner of the award and we both very glad its official that we have personalities!!

Please feel free to pop in and meet both Helen and the therapists at Fine Fettle on our 1st Anniversary celebrations on Tuesday 26th April from 11-3pm. We would love to meet you and everyone gets a money off voucher that attends on the day.

Muddy Moles

2011-04-18T15:41:00.000+01:00

http://www.muddymoles.org.uk/mutterings/im-in-finefettle

Thank you to Dave for this great testimonial for Fine Fettle.

Hoping to meet more Muddy Moles soon!!

Fine Fettle Nominated for Business Awards

2011-03-24T15:38:00.001Z

Well its been a good week at Fine Fettle, with the sun shining, our patients numbers ever increasing and then the notification that Fine Fettle has been short listed for:

1. "Local Business of the Year"

and

2. Helen Bullen Owner/Osteopath for "Local Business Personality of the Year"

We would like to thank all our clients that have supported us over our first year in Bookham and look forward to the Awards Ceremony on Thursday 7th April 2011. We are definitely keeping our fingers crossed - feel free to do the same!!

Fore Foot Running

2011-03-16T21:24:00.000Z

As promised I have decided to blog about my attempt to change my definite heel strike running gait to fore foot strike instead. I would firstly and most importantly I like to say this will not be a scientific account and should not be taken as advice or recommendation. I will however endeavour to read around the subject and use my knowledge of bio mechanics to discuss and debate the issue on a higher level each time I blog.

I am an Osteopath and a recreational runner and have often wondered about the in depth bio mechanics of running. As a student we were taught by a non runner but someone who logically went through bio mechanics of gait but in the main during the walking phase. To those of you who have done some bio mechanics of both walking and running you will know that the phases and mechanics of both are very different. Add into the mix, weight, sex, posture, previous injuries, other sports undertaken , shoes, foot arches, pelvic mechanics etc etc and you start to realise that the straight bio mechanics is ever changeable and never simple to state as absolute for all. It is for that reason that I find it hard to read books that state how the body reacts during movement as the norm for everyone, when I believe there have to be anatomical differences that change each person bio mechanics.

As a keen runner and as an Osteopath that treats a lot of runners from sprinters to ultra runners I have to admit that over the last year my urge to learn more to provide even better treatment to runners ( I am pretty hot already!!), has increased. So last night I ventured out to my first seminar on the subject of biomechanics and running by Dr Paul Barrett an expert in the subject.

During the evening it was reported that 80% of distance runners were rear foot strikers (Kerr et al, 1983)and Elite sprinters have only forefoot contact. Although this information was given I did note the date of this research at 1983, hardly up to date. I am also a highly trained Osteopath with an underlying belief that if 80% of us run that way then perhaps that is the natural form. I do however want to challenge my beliefs hence this trial on myself and if I am honest I would give anything to be faster!!

What interested me most about the evening was the impact force that runners that heel strike put through their talus (bone that joins the foot to the leg bones) and that heel strike blocks the forward momentum of the runner. So in my non Osteopathic head I instantly thought if I could just run through my forefoot I would instantly run 6 minute miles!!!! (currently 10 minute miler!) My Osteopathic head started to consider all the runners to whom I had noted restricted talus articulation and the techniques I currently use to address this. Was forefoot running something I should consider more carefully.

So today I went straight out and started to run with my impression of a forefoot gait inspired but lacking any real knowledge. Again in my non Osteopathic head I gave no thought to the muscles, especially my calf muscles and achilles and the change in their use, I just wanted to try it. I would have given one of my patients a telling of if they had done that!. I actually have to admit that I really enjoyed the run. I did choose a fairly flat route, my first careful decision, but then I just played with it and to be honest the time on the run just flew by as my concentration was directed to my feet rather than worries of the day or aches and pains. The only side affect was being almost unable to climb the steps at work today as both my calves and quads are wondering what has hit them. Again I am now thinking thin thighs!! Now I really have lost it. As I write this I can also feel my gluteals lets hope I'm walking in the morning.

Speaking of aches and pains I think I should give a little of my sporting background. I played National League Division 1 Volleyball for over 15 years and as such my knees have been overused over this time with I am sure the early signs of osteoarthritis. This results in knees that I treat very carefully and make sure that I get my pelvis and muscles that surround the knee treated on a regular basis. This has allowed me to continue my much loved running but I had noticed that the regularity of knee pain during my runs had increased of late. For those interested I am now 43 and as such retired from serious volleyball.

So imagine my surprise when once I started the forefoot (I use that term lightly until I really learn the technique) running I had no anterior knee pain and didn't have any post run which has fairly much become normality for me these days. Now although that may sound like magic it was the first day and if I was doing this as a proper research base there was no control or blind trial (trying to remember the skills of my dissertation days!!) so perhaps it was just a good day for the knees? Watch this space.

Over the next few weeks I intend to build up the length of time I use this type of gait. I do not however plan to run "barefoot" as I regularly run through mud, dog muck, horse manure, thorns etc etc and as much as I would like to do this trial proud I have no intention of taking off my trainers for anyone!. I know some of you will be yelling at me that my trainers could be restricting my movement and I am not getting the full effect but just let me try my way. I am a neutral runner, as is my shoe so in theory I just have less proprioception and more support and most importantly a water/poo proof cover.

As to a training plan...well that is proving hard to find so I shall use my knowledge of training and try to add a mile every couple of weeks.I will remain running at least 4 times a week but will not use the new gait on every or during all of a run. As a keen runner I am unwilling to give up my level of fitness so will continue to average about 25 miles a week, hopefully increasing once muscles are strengthened. I will update you when I have a full plan arranged. If anyone has one they would like to recommend just send it to helen@finefettle.org and I'll give it close consideration. Otherwise I am dredging up my knowledge from gym instructor days. I would also like to experiment and not follow what has already been done. Lastly on my training plan I am also aware that I should try to lose some weight, at least half a stone to take some of the force off my forefoot, so I may well blog on that too!!

Finally for those on twitter you may have seen that some how I am being goaded into completing a half iron man...well just to let you know THAT AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN but I do think that perhaps I need some sort of finale to my training blog so will be considering a race to enter where I try to run the whole way with my new style, just need to work out time scale. Better also prepare myself to accept my prize for first female crossing the line with my new found speed!! ha ha ha. May just enter the over 85 group and hope I am the only entrant.

Love to hear all your feedback and thank you to all on twitter today for you inspiration. I have books arriving that you have recommended so will update my thoughts when I have read them. Anyone have any research papers to recommend then just let me know and I can review them.

Feel free to check my credentials out at www.finefettle.org

Helen Bullen
BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine
10 minute miler!!

SAY NO TO HALF IRON MAN CLUB!

Vernon Kay joins the London Warriers

2011-03-11T16:40:00.000Z

Following the ITV2 Vernon Kay, Under Pressure series....Vernon Kay, TV and Radio Presenter has now signed for the London Warriors (Seniors) American Football Team.

Usha Christmas, a Sports Therapist at Fine Fettle who was involved in that show is also the Head Trainer for the London Warriors (Seniors). Watch this space for more news on Usha's work with the London Warriors.

http://www.londonwarriorsafc.co.uk/index.php

Nutrition and Fitness Seminar

2011-02-28T14:09:00.000Z

Fine fettle’s Nutritional Therapist Helen Williams and Personal Trainer Kim Raine who runs Fine fettle’s boot camps have organised another weight loss seminar to be held on Saturday 5th March at the beautiful Manor House Spa hotel near Guildford.

Balanced Fat Loss Seminars

Everything you need to know for the body you want.

How do you feel about your body and health right now?

Would you like to change but don’t know how?

Are you fed up with being misled and confused with all of the different information we are bombarded with?

Then join us for a day that covers fast and easy weight loss from all angles- mind, body and soul. It’s packed full of information and motivation. This is the day that will get you ready and raring to live life. A totally unique approach, as far as we know no-one else offers this total package.

Our last day in January was a phenomenal success:

In an email from Val – attended seminar Jan 2011

“By the way I have lost over a stone and gone down at least

1 dress size, some smaller clothes fit and I was bulging out of

the bigger size! People are starting to notice,

even my 14 yr old students who would not notice if a gorilla

walked into the classroom! It’s amazing!”

We still have places available for our next seminar on Saturday March 5th.

Join Helen Williams, Nutritional therapist and motivational weight loss coach, Kim Raine, Personal Trainer and creator of the F.A.S.T body transformation blueprint and Francesca Stutely Hypnotherapy and NLP coach as they guide you step by step through the facts and fallacies of weight loss and share with you the proven, practical and super-powerful techniques they use to generate amazing results for their clients FAST!

The only requirement to attend this mind blowing day is your commitment.

If you are ready to take control of your body and health and have had enough of being stuck in a rut then join us on March 5th.

From the friendships and support that were born on our previous seminars we have also set up a members only site full of helpful content so that all attendees can stay in touch with us and each other to carry on with their positive attitudes and have ongoing support and advice.

If you cannot make March 5th then please visit our website and register for a free “Secrets of Easy Fat Loss” full of tips you can use now. We’ll also let you know when further seminar dates are confirmed.

COMING SOON

Balanced Fat Loss Seminar for Men

Want to know more?

Check out our website

www.surreyfatloss.com

Or contact Kim on 07594 806576 or Helen on 07731 865141

So what do you say? Are you ready to change?

Only YOU can make 2011 YOUR year!

Fine Fettle Therapists and "Vernon Kay Under Pressure" ITV 2 Wed 16th February

2011-02-11T17:42:00.001Z

Mel Healy, Sports Therapist and Head of Rehabilitation at Fine Fettle Multi healthcare, and Usha Christmas Sports Therapist at Fine Fettle multi-healthcare have been working hard through all types of weather with Vernon Kay and his American Football Challenge. Mel and Usha provided training advice and injury care for over 40 players over the last couple of months.

The ITV 2 programme which goes out this week on Wednesday 16th February followed Vernon Kay and his former junior American Football teammates reliving their dreams of playing American Football. However they were not as young and some as fit as they used to be and Usha and Mel had their work cut out getting them up to the grade and keeping them fit to play.

The programme shows them training and their finale of a game against Birmingham University Team where the guys put up a valiant fight and you will watch to see the outcome!!

As well as working at Fine Fettle Usha Christmas is the head trainer for the London Cobras American Football team and Mel Healy is the head trainer for the GB Lions and London Olympians American Football teams. Both highly qualified in their field of training and injury support and rehabilitation.

To book appointments with Usha or Mel please contact Fine Fettle on info@finefettle.org or call 01372 458984. For further information about any therapist at Fine Fettle or for further details http://www.finefettle.org/

Well done to both Mel and Usha - All at Fine Fettle are very proud of your achievements.

VERNON - its about time you followed FinefettleMHC on twitter!!!

DIETS DONT WORK!

2011-01-04T11:02:00.000Z

Well we’re a few days into the beginning of a brand new year and it’s more than likely you have made some New Year Resolutions –let me guess –“This is the year I’m going to lose weight and get fit?” How many times have you made these same resolutions and how long did you last?

Make 2011 the year that you finally change your ways, make this the year that you stop dieting for good because take it from me DIETS DON’T WORK! It’s not about dieting –that means deprivation usually accompanied by large helpings of guilt –been there before, recognise those negative feelings?

Make 2011 the year that you optimise your health instead and by that I mean waking up every morning full of energy, going through the day with a clear mind, mentally sharp, good concentration and with no energy dips or cravings. Feeling young physically and mentally and people commenting on how well you look! Doesn’t that sound a more positive approach?

Fine fettle’s Nutritional Therapist, Helen Williams and Kim Raine who runs Fine fettle’s boot camps have joined forces to set up Balanced Fat Loss Seminars. Our aim is to help you to achieve optimal health in 2011 –and the brilliant side effect of putting all our advice into practice is that as well as achieving optimal health you’ll lose weight as well!

If you go to our website www.surreyfatloss.com you can download a free copy of Secrets to Easy Fat Loss

We’ve also organised a 1 day seminar on Saturday January 15th at the beautiful Manor House Hotel, Newlands Corner, Guildford. This day long event is a chance to get 2011 off to a flying start, the opportunity to find out the TRUTH about fat loss and learn the techniques and strategies that WORK, from some of the industry’s top professionals. Visit our website for full details and to book a place.

If you want more information on the seminar or on seeking nutritional guidance in the forthcoming year please contact me –I offer a free 15 minute no obligation consultation either by telephone, e-mail or you can call into the clinic for an informal chat.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and nutritious 2011

Regards

Helen

Helen Williams

SURREY NUTRITION CLINIC @ Fine fettle

BSc(Hons), Dip CNE, MBANT, MCNHC

Nutritional Therapist

07731 865141

helen@surreynutritionclinic.co.uk

www.surreynutritionclinic.co.uk

SNOW DAY!!

2010-12-01T13:43:00.000Z

Juts thought I should blog my day so far...Lets just say a day in the life of fine fettle has been different.

Started my day with a fabulous run over Bookham Common. The snow was new and I was the first to spoil it with my footmarks. Life was good and the sun trying to peek through....

Home and showered now should I take the car? Decided I would walk so off I went through Fetcham avoiding kids on sledges. Came across the first car only 5 minutes into my trek so got splattered with snow pushing a poor lady who could not get up her road. Turned out she had been trying to get home all night, slept in the car and was dug out this am. We managed to push her car into a local halls car park and she finished the rest of the journey on foot.

I carried on out of Fetcham and into Bookham and again found someone trying to get into their drive, 5 kids with sledges in tow and me again pushed for all we were worth and safely go the car to rest in the drive.

45 minutes later, faster than I had managed to drive home the night before I arrived at Fine Fettle and thanked god I had the foresight to leave heaters on. No time to waste I then spent 20 minutes going through calls from clients who needed to cancel and rearrange. Not our best week for patient numbers this week!!!

Next I set to with the snow outside out door. We have a slight slope to our entrance porch and it was starting to get icy so out with my new shovel to shift the ice that lay outside....It was fantastic and any fears I may get cold soon vanished as I built up quite a sweat to move the ice. Pleased with my work I then gritted the floor. Made me laugh when one old man asked if I was going to do the rest of the high street and why was it not done yesterday!! He was very aggressive until I informed him I didn't work for the council to which he then changed his tune and decided it was disgraceful that I was having to do it....Anyway I helped him across the road and left him mumbling his angst along the high street.

I then sat and watched the world pass Fine Fettles door and many people pushing cars out of the top of the high street. Such great community spirit. I then watched in horror to see that I had just spoilt the fun of all the local kids who instead of being pulled by Mum on their sled past our door now had to jump off as i had removed it all!! One kid was most disgusted and glared at me through the door!!!

Two patients did make it in today so treated them, although I was wearing my jeans, 3 jumpers, leggings and socks. My wellies were one step too far. They had a laugh at my professional persona being thrown out the door!!

So now all is quiet and I am sure it will be now all week. Lets hope Saturday is snow free as we now have a very busy day with all the rearranged appointments!! PLEASE LET THE SNOW GO!!

One last thing I now have to do and this is probably the hardest...I am going to shut up early and meet all the other fellow "snow day" locals at the Anchor pub on my walk home. Hope to get to the Bell too on my way home....so maybe the snow ain't so bad!!

Helen
Owner/Osteopath/Mad snow woman!!

Team Fine Fettle - Three Mole Hills

2010-11-25T12:27:00.001Z

Team Fine Fettle are just getting their thermals out for our trip to Denbies on Sunday to support the Three Mole Hill runners. This race includes three hills, no surprise in the title!!

The first leg is on Box Hill, the second leg is up to Norbury Park and the third leg is up to Ranmore Common. In total a distance of 15 miles that can be done in a relay team of three or for the more hardened hill runners the total distance as an individual.

http://www.eventstolive.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=26

SOME OF THE TEAM

They forcast snow so fingers crossed Nicky the organiser from Events to Live lets us go indoors to work our magic on tired legs. I am not sure I will be able to move with all the layers I plan to put on for Sunday!! Considering a duvet!!

Good luck to all the runners and well done for raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Foundation (QEF), Leatherhead. We will be taking donations for QEF for any post event treatment given on the day.

Helen

National Stress Awareness Day - November 3rd 2010

2010-11-03T20:02:00.000Z

It is the 12th National Stress Awareness Day TODAY!!! Wednesday 3rd of November.

Relaxation: Luxury or Necessity?

We live life today at such a fast hectic pace, even general day to day living can build up pressure. Unless we regularly reduce this pressure the stress caused can have a detrimental effect on our mind and our body. Some pressure is beneficial helping us to organise our lives and focus on what we need to achieve. However if we allow the pressure to continue building it can have the opposite effect leaving us feeling unable to cope, exhausted, tense and inadequate. This can then have a knock on to our physical health dampening our immune systems so that we are more susceptible to illness. Stress can also cause sleep deprivation and worry which can affect our ability to concentrate and the list goes on....

Relaxation can help us restore balance, giving us time to reassess and prioritise enabling us to continue on once again.

So we at Fine Fettle believe the answer to the above question is a resounding.........NECESSITY!

We think that targeting stress by using both mental and physical relaxation can be doubly effective. So a bit like the old "pick "n" mix" you choose two therapies from back massage, reflexology and hypnotherapy and we will combine them in an hour long session.

"Relaxation Combination"

RISK OF WHIPLASH DUE TO BAD SEATING POSITIONS

2010-10-11T14:00:00.008+01:00

SOUTH EAST DRIVERS AT RISK OF WHIPLASH DUE TO

SOUTH EAST DRIVERS AT RISK OF WHIPLASH DUE TO BAD SEATING POSITIONS

Drivers in the South East who fail to wear seatbelts correctly are at risk of injury according to the British Osteopathic Association (BOA). While most people1 are fully aware that wearing a seatbelt saves lives, the majority are not aware that the way they sit in a car plays a huge part in their personal safety.

The results of a survey by the BOA2, released ahead of Back Care Awareness Week (11-15 October,) has found that almost one in ten (9%) of drivers in the South East sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash. To be effective, the belt should be sitting over the bones of the pelvis and not the stomach preventing internal injuries and in contact with the shoulder to prevent serious neck injury. Sitting too far from the belt can often lead to submarining - where the occupant slips under the belt which can cause catastrophic injuries.

Forty four per cent (44%) of all South East drivers do not drive in a position where their head is close enough to the head restraint or they sit too far back for their seatbelt to be effective, so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury. Furthermore, only 6.5 % of people adjust the head restraint regularly, despite the fact that most people travel in a variety of vehicles (as drivers, passengers and in taxis for example) and 45.7% said they never adjusted their head rest at all.

Head restraints work by catching and supporting the head in the event of a rear end crash and so reduce the chance of permanent soft tissue damage. A correctly adjusted head restraint should be as close to the back of the head as possible and as high as the top of the occupant’s head, meaning head movement in relation to their body is reduced as the car and seat is punted forward when hit from behind. In addition the drivers’ seat should be at the correct distance so that a properly positioned seat belt is low across the hips and pelvis, with the shoulder belt firmly across the chest and collarbone.

Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for the 8.2 % who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel. Drivers with a gap of less than 12 inches between themselves and the steering wheel when driving are at risk of receiving the full force of an airbag deploying in a crash involving the front of the vehicle.

Airbags have to inflate very quickly (some at over 200 mph) in order to protect the head and chest of drivers and passengers in the event of a frontal crash. Therefore an airbag needs enough space in front of the steering wheel in order to inflate properly. People who are shorter than around 5' 2” (1.57m) often sit too close to the steering wheel and may be injured by the inflating airbag. A safe distance is around 12 inches – the size of an A4 piece of paper placed lengthways.

Danny Williams, BOA Council Member, said: “While most of us are aware that seatbelts save lives, it’s fair to say that the majority of us don’t know that the way we sit in a vehicle also plays a huge part in our safety and wellbeing.

“The position of the head restraint, how far or close we sit to the steering wheel and how long we spend sitting at the wheel without having a break are can cause long-lasting neck and back injuries.”

Matthew Avery, Crash Research Manager at Thatcham, said: “Vehicle safety has moved on at a pace with numerous new technologies now available designed to help avoid or mitigate injury during a collision. Whilst many seats and head restraints perform well in protecting the occupant, this research goes to show that too many drivers are still subject to avoidable risks by not taking the time to adjust their head restraints correctly.”

- Ends -

For further information contact:

Kirsty Marshall

020 8964 0260 / 07980 649 501

kirsty@vp-pr.com

Notes to editors

About the British Osteopathic Association

The British Osteopathic Association (BOA) is the professional association for osteopaths in the UK, acting as an independent representative body whilst promoting osteopathy to the general public and government. Established in 1998 the BOA is committed to supporting, protecting and caring for its members and promoting opportunities for individual and professional development in osteopathic practice. There are nearly 4,000 osteopaths on the UK register who carried out over seven million treatments last year, and many of these are affiliated to the British Osteopathic Association. For more information and to search for an osteopath, visit the website www.osteopathy.org

References

1Esure survey published 30/6/2010 found 85% of women always wear seat belts compared with 73% of men

2The research for BOA was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 14/09/2010 and 20/09/2010 amongst a panel resulting in 1435 UK Adult respondents. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines

3The total UK motoring population based on DfT Transport Statistics - 33,522,106 motor vehicles currently licensed as at 2006. 14,816,770 is a projected figure based on the 1435 motorists surveyed

BOA research statistics

National

• 54% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 54% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 62% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 18% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

East

• 44% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 58% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• One in ten drivers (13%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 16.2% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 55% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 51% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 66% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 13% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

London

• 45% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 45% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• One fifth of drivers (19%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 16% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 61% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 52% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle

• 61% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 18% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

Midlands

• 42% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 50% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• One in ten drivers (13%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 17% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 54% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 55% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 64% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 25% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

North East

• 35% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 51% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• Almost one in ten drivers (7%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for one in ten drivers 10% who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 52% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 52% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 56% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 13% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

North West

• 39% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 55.8% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• 14% of drivers sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 12% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 60% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 60% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 61% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 13% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

Scotland

• 46% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 47.4% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• 15% of drivers sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 8.2% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 55% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 57% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 59% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 22% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

South East

• 44% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 45.7% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• Almost one in ten drivers (9%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 17% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 44% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 51% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 61% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 22% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

South West

• 50% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 12% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 49.6% of drivers never adjust their head restraint14% of drivers sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• 52% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 53% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 60% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 14% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

Wales

• 40% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 52% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• One in ten drivers (10%) sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 14.3% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 49% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 43% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 60% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 12% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

Yorkshire

• 54% of drivers do not have their head close enough to the head restraint so that in an accident, they would be at risk of sustaining a serious whiplash injury

• 53% of drivers never adjust their head restraint

• 16% of drivers sit too far back for their seatbelt to offer effective protection in a frontal crash.

• Receiving a serious chest injury as a result of being hit by an airbag during an accident is also a very real possibility for 9% of drivers who admitted sitting too close to the steering wheel.

• 62% of drivers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 57% of passengers do not have their seat at the correct angle.

• 64% of people do not have their head restraint positioned correctly.

• 24% of people sit in a vehicle for 6 hours or more a week.

Backcare Awareness Week 2010

2010-10-11T10:00:00.001+01:00

This week sees the start of Backcare awareness week from the 11th-15th October 2010. The charity aims to reduce the impact of back pain on society and this week is to raise awareness of the issues surrounding back pain. Last year the campaign was called the "big bag amnesty" which encouraged people to carry smaller, lighter bags. This year the campaign is "beyond the box" If you suffer from back pain then take a look at their site http://www.backcare.org.uk for up to date information.

Here at Fine Fettle we have many practitioners who are trained to deal with back pain. The most obvious are the Osteopaths and the Sports Therapists. Some of the other therapies we have that you may not have considered are Acupuncture, Massage, Hypnotherapy, Biomechanical Assessment, Pilates Alexander Technique and Personal Training.

Check out our website for further details: www.finefettle.org

TEAM FINE FETTLE ON FINE FORM!!

2010-10-06T15:38:00.001+01:00

Autumn Spitfire 20 and Tempest 10 Sunday 3rd October 2010

Lying awake listening to the torrential rain and driving wind on Saturday night it was hard to envisage Team Fine Fettle setting up the next day, for post event massage, in anything other than Surreys own hurricane with wind, mud and puddles. The only comfort being I had not decided to do the race myself this time!!

We turned up at 8.30 at Dunsfold Aerodrome, famous for being the Top Gear Testing track, to a windy but rain free race venue to prepare for after event massage and injury advice. Almost 300 runners were about to take part in either a 20 mile or 10 mile race in aid of the charity “Combat Stress”. www.combatstress.org.uk

Like true Brits we decided a little bit of wind and wet was not going to beat us so we set up camp at the start/finish line…This went well until we found that with all the pegs, guy ropes and even tying the gazebo to a metal post we still could not let go of the gazebo that had now turned into a self inflating balloon ready to launch across the running track at any moment. Defeated we then spent another 20 minutes, much to the amusement of others taking down the balloon/gazebo and researching other options.

Fortunately we were led, kindly, by Nicky and Alan (Events to Live course directors) to a sheltered spot inside next to some squash courts. It was warm and dry and at that point a relief to be out of the wind. We initially set up 2 couches, thinking that being tucked away from the finish line that we may not see many runners coming to use our services… How wrong were we! I have now been banned from saying “we may not get many through today guys” as suddenly we had an influx of runners finishing the 10 mile and subsequently the 20 mile all vying for our services. Very quickly we were up to 5 couches and we were constantly treating for about 2 hours. So another successful event for fine fettle.

I was lucky enough to treat the male runner-up of the 20 mile race who had averaged 6 minute miles all the way around. He arrived for his massage looking like he had just walked from his car, not an ounce of sweat on him. I subsequently found out he was a PTI in the army and his pre race preparation had been 10 pints of Guinness the night before…We would not advocate this as a safe training method but it did make us smile. He left feeling eased after his run and then reported he would be doing a 6 mile warm down run that evening. As a mere mortal I could only applaud his ability and hope that perhaps by treating him some of his speed had rubbed off on to me!! ( I ran this morning and did notice any effect - yet!)

Many of the runners were preparing for the New York and Dublin marathon and we wish them all good luck in their runs and fundraising.

Team Fine Fettles next event is the “Three Mole Hills” on Sunday 28th November. This race will see teams of 3 racing up Box hill, Norbury Hill and Ranmore. A tough race but one with some fantastic views.

http://www.eventstolive.co.uk/ for more information on races in the area.

Queen Elizabeth Foundation Bikeathon

2010-09-29T17:58:00.000+01:00

Queen Elizabeth Foundation Bikeathon – Sunday 26th September 2010

Well last Sunday saw the team at Fine Fettle once again at a charity event. This time it was our great pleasure to support the QEF for disabled people. Their annual Bikeathon charity ride.

QEF works with people living with physical and learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries to gain new skills and increase independence. Whether it’s learning everyday life skills, rebuilding a life affected by brain injury, acquiring the skills to drive a specially adapted car or training for future employment QEF supports disabled people to achieve goals for life. http://www.qef.org.uk/

The day started early with a warm-up for the cyclists performed by Mel Healy (Fine Fettles own Sports Therapist, Rehabilitation and Trainer) at the QEF head quarters. As the head trainer for the GB American Football squad we had to tame her enthusiasm slightly for us lesser mortals!!

The warm up went well with the majority of the cyclists joining in before their charity ride and even a few Fine Fettle therapists were seen jumping about…we were not sure if they were following Mel’s warm up or if they were just a bit cold. You can see Debra (Team Fine Fettle) wandering off to the left of the picture below - where was she going?!!! Anyway fun was had by all …..

The Cyclists then set off in staggered start for bike rides of 13, 26 or 45 miles. The finish was to be at the Old Plough Pub in Stoke d’Abernon so Team Fine Fettle had to move fast to set up again at the finish line.

Two gazebos up and six couches later Team Fine Fettle were at the finish venue awaiting the first weary cyclists. Around midday the first finishers started to come in to be welcomed by Team Fine Fettle, QEF staff and a fabulous outdoor BBQ that has us all craving burger and chips!!

Thanks goes to Mel, Caroline, Debra, Chris, Rachel, Aileen and Helen for providing such great after event massage, injury advice and general support. Fantastic team of practitioners at Fine Fettle and we raised £70 for QEF in the process. That is a total of over £200 raised for charity in September. It was the first event that we had all 6 couches full most of the time.

This Sunday Team Fine Fettle can be found at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Cranleigh (famous for being the track for Top Gear) for the Events to Live 20 mile run. It is an early start so once again Team Fine Fettle miss a lie in but we love it really!!! Do come and visit us and support the runners if you are in the area. The start is at 9am.

Go to our website at www.finefettle.org for detailed information about services provided.

2010-09-23T14:08:00.001+01:00

Weightless?

No but I am less weight I have lost 6lb. Not losing as fast as I would like but before anyone else says it ...... I know it is better to lose slowly and steadily, it’s just that although my body might be slow with the additional weight my mind is actually very fit and athletic and is impatient to get things moving so that I can achieve the goal I have set myself.

Have had a couple of occasions where I thought I had more pressing things to think about than losing weight but realised that perhaps this was a path I had travelled down before that leads to a dead end where I give up! So after I had spoken to myself quite sternly (at my age it is quite alright to talk to yourself) I feel I am back on track. However I have realised that self motivation is not my strong point. I enjoy motivating others but with myself I have realised I need help. Thus I am going to add yet another tool to my weight loss toolbox. There is now a personal trainer working out of Finefettle. Kim Raine is setting up a small group for people who want to start exercising but maybe don’t feel quite ready to exercise alongside all those fit regular gym goers. The training will take place out in the fresh air and each person will train to their own ability (although I don’t think you will be allowed to slack off just because you don’t think you can do something if Kim thinks you can!) I think details will be advertised soon.

Thank you for reading my blog, writing things down is quite cathartic in itself. Hopefully there will be less of me writing my next one.

Team Fine Fettle

2010-09-16T16:02:00.006+01:00

Since my last blog, Team Fine Fettle have been working hard at local events.

Early on Sunday 5th September, the “Team” set off to set up for the Badger Half Marathon which started in Leatherhead and then over the beautiful countryside of Norbury Park and back to the start. An early start to set up the couches, and then a wait for the first runners to come in. The first runner Tim Elsey came home first in a new course record of 1.15.17. In the ladies race Rose Nicholson from Woking AC stormed to victory in an excellent 1.25.28.

Mel Healy, Joss Hudspith, Caroline Adderly and Helen Bullen where the therapists on the day and had their work cut out with almost two hours of solid post-event massage and injury support, once the main body of runners came across the finishing line. A hard morning with many tired runners as the course was a hilly one. We raised over £80 for the Rainbow Trust Charity.

Last Sunday saw the Fine Fettle Team out again at the Bacchus Half and Full Marathon event. This was the first time it had been run and the emphasis was on fun, as runners were encouraged to don fancy dress and sample wine en route.

Team Fine Fettle were once again manning the massage and injury support area and, much to my better judgement, I was actually doing the half marathon. Not only did I agree to run it, but somewhere along the line I decided with some friends it would be good fun to dress up and all run it together. This meant 9 cave girls on the run!!!

Us at the start

Supporting Chase charity

As I have a group of friends who are keen runners there were only two cave girls who had never run beyond 10 miles before with many of us marathon finishers at some point in our running careers. We all decided to run together and rebanded at every drinks stop for Jelly Babies and a snifter of wine!!! We then all ran on together... With the stops, singing and mucking about, we finally came home in just under 2hrs 30. A nice time to take time to enjoy the race and the surroundings. I do think we did surprise a few runners as being the largest group in fancy dress initially runners wanted to get in front of us… We are not a bad group of runners so it was fun to catch a few unawares and get back in front on the big hills!!!

Us at the finish!

Our finish was somewhat noisy and we think may have been heard in Dorking….lots of singing and whooping – we seem to have made many websites and papers since!!!

Mel Healy, Jan Coheeney, Caroline Adderley and Debra all worked really hard nursing sore legs and helping reduce the symptoms of such a long and hilly course. Jan ended up blue after massaging an Avatar character (we thought he was a Smurf at first) who did the full marathon. He is running 6 marathons in 7 weeks and we gave him an honorary cave man outfit to wear on one of this forthcoming marathons… Look out for him! He promised to email us a picture so will blog it if we get it through!

Jan working out how not to get too “blue” on the day!!

Had Jan now become an Avatar too??

Team Fine Fettle once again was a roaring success and with the expertise of both Osteopathy and Sports Therapy, and provided a full-on service for all the post-event runners. Once again, they raised money for the race charity – Chase and raised over £160 on the day. Next event for Team Fine Fettle is the Queen Elizabeth Foundation Bikeathon on Sunday 26th September. We're looking forward to it as Mel Healy is taking the warm-up and seems to think we will all be doing it with her????!!!
Now back to my week off… First one since opening and I have to say I am finding it hard to keep away from the clinic…I did pop in today but was soon sent away until Monday…
Thanks for following us and catch up again soon

Helen Bullen

Owner/Director of Fine Fettle and Osteopath

World Reflexology Week

2010-09-16T12:24:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd let you know that next week is World Reflexology Week (19th-25th September)

This is an opportunity to raise more awareness of this calming, relaxing therapy and its many benefits.

To coincide with this, we have a special promotional offer:
If you book during World Reflexology Week for any further date, you will receive 10% discount off your first appointment.

So, if you're stressed, tired, anxious, or have any other specific conditions, see if Reflexology could help you, and treat yourself to some well-deserved 'me' time.

Thank you and hope to see you soon.

Brett Harris C.Hyp, D.Hyp, M.A.R, CNLP Prac.
Reflexologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist

www.aor.org.uk

2010-08-30T09:00:00.000+01:00

For years, I have wanted to lose weight and get fitter (I know there will be those of you who say ‘it’s easy - you just eat less and exercise more’). But I can assure you it might look that easy on paper, but you have missed out one important differential – we are human beings and therefore not one of us are the same. We all carry our own personal baggage and have our own beliefs and values and mine do not seem to fit with being slim and healthy no matter what I try.

This time however is different – I am throwing everything at it and some of the therapists at Fine Fettle are helping me. I am receiving osteopathy from Helen Bullen and I have spoken to Helen Williams, our nutritionist. I am receiving acupuncture from Gordana Petrovic and Pilates 1-1 from Lizzie Richardson, and lastly, but certainly not least, hypnotherapy from Brett Harris. So this time it has to work – but just in case I am tempted to give up I am posting this on the blog and will update those of you that are interested regularly. Be warned, I have a lot to lose so this could be a serial blog!

Oh, I forgot to say Helen B and Brett are taking it in turns to ensure I walk every lunchtime I am here. We usually walk between 1pm and 1.45pm so if anyone fancies a walk (gentle for some but exhausting for people like me) why not give us a ring and join us! It could be a one-off or more regular; whatever suits you. We would just ask that you check with your GP that you are ok for walking first.

For those of you that are interested I will blog again soon.

Know Your Numbers! Week

2010-08-26T14:09:00.002+01:00

During Know You Numbers! Week (13th-19th September) we will be asking locals: 'are you gambling with your health?' as it was revealed by the Blood Pressure Association that 75% of us do not know our blood pressure numbers. As many are taking such a gamble with their health, Fine Fettle are urging everyone to get their free blood pressure check during the week.

There are around 1,400 official "Pressure Stations" from around the country, who are all taking part in the biggest blood pressure event in the UK, lead by UK charity the Blood Pressure Association.

One third of adults have high blood pressure; it's a symptonless condition, meaning the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get tested. Without the test, many are ignorantly gambling their health, as high blood pressure can cause heart attacks and strokes. Once high blood pressure is detected, it can be managed successfully.

We are very keen to support such a worthwhile campaign. Monitoring blood pressure is very simple and when done can help to keep a person healthy, and avoid heart disease. We urge all local residents to come in on Monday 13th September, between 9.30am and 1pm, to take advantage of our free testing.

To find out more about the campaign, visit the Know Your Numbers! Week website at www.bpassoc.org.uk/kyn or call 020 8772 4994

If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call the Blood Pressure Association's information line on 0845 241 0989

GB Lions

2010-08-12T13:00:00.006+01:00

Mel is back from 2 weeks in Frankfurt Germany, looking after the GB Lions as they made their bid to become European Champions. It was a gruelling two weeks, full of emotional and physical ups and downs. Although the team did not do as well as hoped, there were a lot of lessons learnt and plans are already being made to improve their overall performance. Look out for more GB Lions news as we prepare to play Ireland in October.

Melina Healy
Clinical Sports Therapist
BSc Hons, MSST

Ali's Big Ride

2010-08-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

It all started one blustery day back in May not long after Fine Fettle had opened its doors in Bookham, Surrey. Two lovely ladies came into the practice armed with posters looking very sheepish and a little worried about asking if we would put a poster up for them. I was in the practice that day and read through the poster, “of course we can put your poster up but”……. The two ladies looked slightly worried but then I continued “we can do more than just put your posters up!”

Let me explain that the poster was for Ali’s Big Ride http://www.alisbigride.co.uk/ . Alistair was a brave and incredible boy who impressed everyone he met with his courage, his fight, his desire for life and his natural ability to bring humour to all situations. Unfortunately in December last year, Alistair, aged 6 died of Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia. So in his memory his father and nine of his father’s closest friends came together to undertake an amazing fundraising (Royal Marsden) adventure in the form of a cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End, starting July 16th and travelling 866 miles over 10 days, dressed as some of Alistair’s favourite superheroes – Batman, Mr Incredible, Zorro, Bicycle Repair man, Bananaman, The Thing, Cooperman, Red Ranger, The Mighty Thor and Captain Underpants.

Here at Fine Fettle we have a group of fantastic, highly qualified and generous practitioners who were all willing to give support to the challenge. They all stepped up to the mark in providing free massage and therapy treatments for all the riders in the weeks leading up the adventure. They worked as a team giving them nutritional, training and injury prevention advice for their training schedule.

Now although we would love to claim we did lots of hard work, it was nothing compared to the amount of training and self dedication that the group of superheros put in and what a mammoth effort to cycle the length of the country.

As part of our support I agreed to provide Osteopathic and Sports Massage support to them on their trip down the country. So on Monday 19th July, I spent 7 hours on a coach travelling to meet the guys after 400 miles of cycling in 4 days, in Carlisle. I left London in the scorching heat but arrived to gail force winds and pouring rain in Carlisle. The guys all arrived safely but they were weather beaten as it had been windy and wet since the start. A few of them wondered if they were just cycling under the same cloud travelling the same way.

So at 10.30 pm I was still fixing and patching and treating any injuries or aches and pains. They had a few! Unfortunately one of them was suffering from a suspected stress fracture so a trip to the Carlisle casualty unit was in need.

The next morning they were all up bright and early and ready for another day. I was to return to practice in Bookham to treat my regular patients and then return to Bristol to meet them again on the Tuesday. The funniest thing that morning was one rider who had hit a bridge the day before and had broken his brakes. True to form Cycle repairman came to the rescue with an elastic band and off they all went!

Most up to date bike repair kit…. Look closely!

Hels and the guys in Carlisle.

On Thursday 22nd July, after a full day in practice, I drove up to Bristol to treat and fix again. There were lots of sore quads so I showed them all how to strap their thighs to alleviate some of the pressure on their overused muscles. They were still in high spirits - a testimony to their courage and determination. It was still raining on them each day!! The only real injury was a case of acute achilles tendinitis. Always an interesting one to treat, as the squeaking of the inflammed tissue always makes me smile. Anyway, I used massage and dry needling to the area and the superhero was able to continue the journey down south. A late night drive home for me before practice my patients in the morning!!

I am glad to say that the guys reached Land’s End on their target day on Sunday 25th July 2010. Although I was not able to travel to meet them I understand that a good time was had by all especially the families that had travelled to meet their loved ones.

Helen Bullen

Owner/Director of Fine Fettle and Osteopath

Can Hypnotherapy Help Children?

2010-08-05T14:00:00.001+01:00

Hi – This is my first blog for Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare – in fact my first blog ever! (There’s still life in this technophobe!). Just wanted to report on the workshop I attended on Saturday 31st July 2010. It was called ‘Working with Children’ and was run by Linda Hudson. Lynda is the author of Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy with Children, and more recently More Scripts and Strategies in Hypnotherapy (adults) - both books I can highly recommend.

It was a small workshop which enabled us to have a lot of one to one attention and we all participated, putting forward questions and suggestions. The workshop lasted all day and we were kept well fed and watered throughout.

My reason for attending this workshop was to gain more information about working with children and to look at the different strategies used with children and those used with adults. I came away with this information and more! Listening to Lynda fired up my enthusiasm for hypnotherapy in general. I just wish I’d found hypnotherapy earlier in my career.

I will definitely be attending further workshops with Lynda.

Thanks for reading my first blog,

Sue Ford

Clinical Hypnotherapist at Fine Fettle Multi-healthcare