What we’re doing to ensure your safety in light of Covid-19

We’ve been reopened since 1st June 2020 with plenty of new safety measures in place at the clinic.

Here’s what we’re doing to help keep you safe during your visit to our clinic:

1. Before you come in, we’ll ask you a few screening questions to make sure that you have no symptoms of Covid-19/Coronavirus and aren’t required to shield or quarantine.

2. We’ll ask you to arrive on time, rather than come early. Our waiting room is still open for use, we just encourage our patients not to need to use it, if possible.

3. When you arrive, we’ll make sure that you’re wearing a mask and use the hand sanitiser that we have. If you don’t have a mask, don’t worry, we can bring one down to you.

4. Your osteopath will be wearing a mask, apron and gloves throughout your appointment.

5. After your appointment we’ll take payment by card (contactless where possible) or bank transfer. If you only have cash, that’s fine, but we’d prefer to use an electronic method.

6. After you leave, we’ll wipe down the couch, pillows and furniture in the room with anti-viral/anti-bacterial spray and then clean all the door handles, bannisters etc too, to ensure that we’re clean for the next patient. We allocate time after every appointment to do this.

As you can see, we’re taking cleanliness and safety extremely seriously and are doing everything that we reasonably can but unfortunately we cannot absolutely guarantee no contact with the virus.

If you have any comments or questions, please contact Richard on 0115 981 5134 or at richard@mooreosteopathy.co.uk

One of the unexpected outcomes of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak is a sudden surge in people working from home. Veterans of home working may already have a tip-top home office setup but for most of us, it’s an unexpected new use of our house! And even those who do 1 or 2 days a week normally, may struggle with working from home all week.

The last thing that you want is neck or back pain from working in an environment that isn’t setup properly, so here are a few easy-to-follow tips for home working newbies:

1. Make space

You’re going to need some space to work, so before getting stuck in, try to clear some surface space to allow you to setup your equipment effectively. You’re going to be working here for weeks or even months, so take a bit of time to plan and get it setup properly.

2. Invest in a keyboard and/or mouse

A lot of us will be using laptops and hunching over your computer is terrible for your back, shoulders and neck. A cheap, easy way around this is to use an external keyboard and mouse. This allows you to setup your laptop more like a desktop computer and open your shoulders up. If you’re company doesn’t supply them, why not spend £20-30 and invest in your own set from Argos or Amazon.

3. Don’t sit on your sofa with a laptop

It may look comfortable but it really isn’t! Don’t do it, please….

4. Stand

A great way to reduce the strain on your back is to reduce the amount of time that you sit. If there are any tasks during your working day that allow you to stand up, do it. For example, do you need to sit when you’re on the phone? If not, take that cue to stand up. You’ll be surprised by how many tasks can be done when standing rather than sitting.

5. Raise your monitor

Without getting too far into the nitty-gritty of office ergonomics, have a look at the height of your screen. As a rule, lift your screen so that the top of it is in line with your eyes. You’ll be looking slightly down into your screen rather than really bending your neck forwards, which is a great way to get a sore neck after a while. You don’t need a fancy screen riser or plinth, a stack of books or a box works perfectly.

6. Work when you’re working, rest when you’re not

When working from home, there’s a real temptation to work longer hours than usual. Try to stick to your normal working hours or the number of hours that you normally work, to minimise the impact on your body. Remember, checking your emails on your phone after hours IS still work….

7. Take breaks from the screen

There’s now no excuse to pop over to a colleague’s desk or visit the office printer, so make sure that you take regular breaks throughout the day. A five minute break to rest your eyes from the screen and maybe have a little stretch (see point 9) every couple of hours is often enough to reduce the stress on your body.

8. Hydrate

Take on water regularly throughout the day, it’s great for concentration and focus and helps you cover points 4 and 7 without trying too hard to. Setting an alarm for every 30-45 mins is a great way of making sure you drink enough water throughout the day.

9. Stretch & Move

A lot of my patients like to have a stretching regime to do after a day at work but I prefer regular movement throughout the day. This is called ‘movement snacking‘. Why not do 10 squats or lunges (without any weights) when you stand up to get a drink? Or stretch off your shoulders on the hour, every hour? Creating new habits can take a little while, so maybe setup an alarm on your phone to encourage you to keep your body supple throughout the day. Still do your 10 minute routine at the end of the day too, of course.

10. Be Flexible

This is a great opportunity to mix up your working position and avoid spending too long in one position. If you’re working on a laptop, you could maybe use it in the spare room in the morning, dining table in the afternoon and standing in the kitchen for 10 mins here and there. None of them may be the perfect position but regularly moving around will help to stop you really struggling with your back. That said, having a primary work space is a good idea to avoid your whole house being taken over (see point 6).

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So there you have it, I hope this gives you some ideas for making working from your home a little more comfortable. Back and neck pain ISN’T inevitable if you do what you can to prevent it.

During this unprecedented time, I’m offering FREE HOME WORKPLACE ADVICE, so if you want me to have a quick look at where you are going to work, let me know and we can organise a 10 minute Facetime/Skype/Zoom call.

Good luck!

This has been a really tough decision to make. As the Government advice has become stronger and stronger, we’ve wrestled with whether we should should remain open or close for business. I’ve personally had sleepless nights, mulling it all over but feel that the right thing to do is to close the clinic for the forseeable future.

Although we could stay open and continue to treat, the issue is really about social distancing and isolation. The Government advice is very clear and that is to reduce as much movement and interaction as possible. Encouraging people to come into clinic is in direct conflict with gyms, restaurants, cafes, shops, parks etc all being closed down. I think the message is clear.

To offer as much help as we can to our wonderful patients at this difficult time, I’m going to be offering online/video consultations where we can discuss symptoms, offer advice and then send over exercises that can be done to help. It’s not the same as hands-on treatment but at the moment it’s the best that I can do. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch and sometimes advice can make a big difference. If you’d like to book one of these, email me at richard@mooreosteopathy.co.uk and I’ll put it in the dairy.

Obviously we have no idea how long we’ll be closed for but we’ll be active on the Facebook page and always at the other end of the phone, so if you want to discuss anything, give me a call on 0115 981 5134 and I’ll happily talk it all through with you 🙂

Fingers crossed, this will all be resolved in a relatively short time and we can get everything back to normal again.

Take care, stay safe and hopefully we’ll get through this together

Richard & The Team

PS Don’t forget to wash your hands
PPS And stay indoors whenever you can 🙂

As we’re sure you’ll be aware, there are more and more reports of Coronavirus being reporting around the world now, especially from China and Italy.

As a clinic that often has very young, elderly and immunosuppressed patients visiting us, we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus in our clinic.

In the clinic we’re:

• washing hands between each patient (as we have always done)
• using fresh towels and pillowcases every day
• no longer using the fabric couch covers
• wiping down couches with anti-bacterial solution after every patient
• wiping down communal areas throughout the day.

To help us keep the clinic clean, please:

• ensure your hands are thoroughly and regularly washed
• make us aware of any recent travel and if you’ve recently visited an area deemed as high or moderate risk please stay away from the clinic for two weeks. The current list of at-risk destinations can be found here.
• keep tabs on your own health and act on any symptoms such as a fever/raised temperature, dry cough or mild flu-like symptoms

If you’re unsure whether you should stay away or have any other questions, please give us a call on 0115 981 5134 or email us info@mooreosteopathy.co.uk

Thank you for your understanding.

Did you know that Osteopathy is one of 14 roles known as Allied Health Professionals to the NHS?

There has been a lot of press coverage recently about restructuring of local NHS services to reduce pressure on key areas. One of the approaches being used it to encourage involvement of AHP practitioners. There are 14 different AHP Professions on the list, all of which are degree-educated and autonomous, meaning that they work independently without the need to be referred by a GP. One of those professions is osteopathy.

Although osteopathy isn’t itself widely available on the NHS (yet…), AHP status means that we’re recognised by the NHS as being able to “…provide system-wide care to assess, treat, diagnose and discharge patients across social care, housing, education, and independent and voluntary sectors.”

If you’d like to find out more about how osteopathy works within the NHS and AHP framework, you can find out more on the NHS website: www.england.nhs.uk/ahp

One of the most common things we hear from new patients is that they’d heard of ‘osteopathy’ but didn’t really know how it could help them, until a friend or relative had come to see us, who then explained how it helped. To try to make the message clearer, we’ve invested in some promotional videos for the clinic featuring real patients telling their stories. Hopefully this goes some way to explaining what we do and how do it.

Have a look at the videos here and let us know what you think:

Clinic Promotional Video

Margaret’s Story

Alice’s Story

Chris’ Story

Terry has provided Sports Massage at the Moore Osteopathy clinic in West Bridgford for the last five years. He has recently been working to rehabilitate double World Racketlon Champion Izzy Bramhall, who he treats on a weekly basis after specialists told her she would have to give up competing due to extensive knee damage and an osteo-arthritic elbow.

Izzy had a partial knee replacement and an elbow arthroscopy and thanks to the therapy provided by Terry, and Izzy’s determination, she has since won 3 World Championship Medals and the European Seniors Tennis Championship.

Izzy said, “Without the care and expertise of Terry at Moore Osteopathy, these successes would not have been possible. He totally understands what I need, uses various techniques and always makes me feel like I can perform to my best ability. Terry makes such a positive difference to both my physique and well-being, that’s why I go every week”.

However, sports massage isn’t just for athletes. The treatment can also help relieve many day-to-day problems such as repetitive strain injury, sprains, tension and fatigue. A 60 minute sports massage allows enough time to talk about your medical history, sport and training regime and tailor each treatment to your requirements.

If you’d like to book an appointment, you can book online or give us a call on 0115 981 5134.

In the UK, 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are detected each year, with more than 2,500 people dying annually. Although treatment is improving, the rates of the most fatal of skin cancers, malignant melanoma, is rising faster than any other common cancer.

As Osteopaths, we usually see patients in a state of partial undress to observe their posture and movement. At the same time we will often observe for skin changes as part of their assessment and may ask you about moles on your skin. If there are any concerns, we will recommend that you seek medical help.

Prevention

When the sunny weather finally arrives in the UK, or when we take our well-earned trips abroad, it can be tempting to embrace the sun. However, it is important to remember the importance of sun safety. One of the main preventable causes of skin cancer is UV exposure, but the following tips can help you stay safe this summer.

Sunscreen – It takes around 20 minutes for the skin to absorb sunscreen, so it should be applied before going out into the sun. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours (though this may be less depending on your skin type), and sooner if you’ve been swimming or sweating. It is best to use sunscreen that is SPF30 and has a five-star UVA rating.

Cover up – Although it’s not great for getting a tan, the best sunscreen is clothing. Wearing a t-shirt and a hat can prevent skin damage.

Timing – The sun is strongest around noon, so you should avoid being in the sun at this time as it can take very little time for skin to burn.

Detection

With early detection, skin cancer can be treated effectively. The following tips help to increase the chances of spotting possible skin cancer:

Know what to look for – Skin cancer varies, so any concerns about abnormal skin conditions should be checked. However, the most common signs of a malignant melanoma follow the ABCDE checklist.

Check yourself regularly – You should routinely do a full body check of yourself, making note of any moles that are worth keeping an eye on, and getting any that cause concern checked by an expert. If you think a mole is growing or changing, it’s worth measuring it and taking a photo, so you can be sure if there is any change.

Get help – It’s not easy to see every part of your body, and your back is one of the most common places for skin cancer to occur. See if there’s someone you can ask to help you or ask your osteopath to check the skin on your back for you.

Get it confirmed – If there is a mole or other skin problem that is causing concern, get it checked by an expert as soon as possible.

The ABCDE check list

If you find a new mole, have an existing mole that you think has changed, noticed any of the following signs, or you have a concern about a mole or other skin condition, it’s always best to have it checked.

Asymmetry – Is it an uneven shape?

Border – Are the edges of the mole uneven?

Colour – Are there different shades of black, brown or pink?

Diameter – Does it have a diameter larger than a pencil eraser? (6mm / ¼ inch)

Evolving – Has the mole changed size, shape or colour?

As always, if you have any questions about a mole or skin mark that’s giving you cause for concern, just ask us and we’ll see if we can help. Stay safe 🙂

Chris Thompson

We’re proud to announce that we’ve are now offering a dedicated Fibromyalgia Clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Associate Osteopath Chris Thompson.

Chris trained at the European School of Osteopathy, graduating in 2011 with his Masters degree. For the last three years he has been working in private practice in Wellington, New Zealand, but has recently made the decision to return to the UK. Chris treats with a variety of osteopathic methods, primarily using gentle cranial osteopathy and functional techniques, tailored to each individual patient.

“Fibromyalgia, is a complex problem with no proven cause. In practice I have found that these conditions seem to result from a combination of factors resulting in overload of the body and therefore an inabiliy to function fully. One of the largest of these factors is often mechanical dysfunction in the body  and it is this in combination with other loads on the body such as stress and poor nutrition that can lead to the chronic pain and tiredness.

Osteopathy can help with the mechanical problems, and by reducing this strain can lead to much better function and in some cases complete resolution of symptoms.”

To book in a specialist appointment with Chris, give our reception team a call on 0115 981 5134 or book online here.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the fibrous tissues in the body.

Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages.

(taken from http://ukfibromyalgia.com/what-is-fm.php)

How could an Osteopath help?

Osteopathy offers a natural way to manage pain, without painkillers. Osteopaths are focussed on finding the cause of the pain, rather than just treating the symptoms. Treatment of the tight muscles and stiff joints of the neck, thorax and back can relieve the build-up of muscular tension that may lead to symptoms. Cranial osteopathy techniques can also help reduce pain. An osteopath will also advise on exercise, posture and lifestyle changes which may help to keep the pain at bay.

To book in a specialist appointment with Chris, give our reception team a call on 0115 981 5134 or book online here.

We’re proud to announce that we’ve started a new dedicated Headaches and Migraines Clinic on Wednesdays with Associate Osteopath Chris Glover at the helm.

Chris Glover

Chris his a Masters degree in Osteopathy from the London School of Osteopathy and has trained in advanced spinal manipulations. He has gained extensive experience in the treatment and management of many musculoskeletal conditions and specialises in the treatment of headaches and neck pain.

“Headaches arising from the neck (cervicogenic) are a common symptom that many people have experienced. However if they seem to be occurring more frequently, it can be very beneficial to see an osteopath to ascertain the cause. Studies have shown that osteopathic treatment may be as effective as some medications in managing pain from cervicogenic headaches, without the side effects. Finding and fixing the cause can eliminate the problem altogether.”

To book in a specialist appointment with Chris, give our reception team a call on 0115 981 5134 or book online here.

What causes headaches?

Osteopathy has been proven to help headaches that arise from the neck, so-called cervicogenic headaches. Tight muscles in the neck could be as a result of your posture, working position, stress, sleeping position or even how you sit in your car. Compression of the joints in the neck can also result in head pain. Different parts of your neck refer pain to different parts of your head. For example, if you’re stiff at the base of your neck, near your shoulders, this could cause pain at the back of your head whilst stiffness at the top of your neck, could appear as forehead pain or pain around the eyes.

How could an Osteopath help?

Osteopathy offers a natural way to manage pain, without painkillers. Osteopaths are focussed on finding the cause of the pain, rather than just treating the symptoms. Treatment of the tight muscles and manipulation of the joints of the neck, thorax and back can relieve the build-up of muscular tension that may lead to headaches. An osteopath will also advise on exercise, posture and lifestyle changes which may help to keep headaches at bay.

What about migraines?

There are many different causes of migraines, but studies have shown that osteopathy may be effective in preventing some types of migraines.

To book in a specialist appointment with Chris, give our reception team a call on 0115 981 5134 or book online here.