Are you injured or just sore from participating in your favourite sport? Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, the right treatment can help you bounce back faster and stronger, or even better, avoid the injury in the first place.
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Sports Injuries
Sports injuries encompass a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) resulting from normal physical activity or from sport and can occur equally with both the recreational sports enthusiasts and the professional athlete. Common types of sport injury includes:
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains and bruises)
- Overuse injuries (tendinitis, stress fractures)
- Joint injuries (dislocations, ligament sprains, meniscus tears)
Fractures caused by impact or trauma
Acute injuries (sprains, strains and fractures) often sudden onset during activity - Chronic flare-ups (shin splints, tennis elbow, runner's knee) that develop over time due to repetitive motion or poor technique.
- Postural and alignment issues that may lead to pain or injury
While any of the above can and do occur as a result of sporting activity, they can equally occur from any normal daily activity.
Who treats sports injuries?
Treatment of sports injuries could typically be carried out by a sports therapist or equally by a physiotherapist, and the overlap between these two professions is probably a bit confusing to the layman, so lets see if we can demystify this.
In fact, there are many overlaps in the skills in these two professions. Equally, there are conditions where one profession is superior to the other or might even offer a skill that the other does not have at all.
Sports therapists are trained to be more sports-focused, while Physiotherapists have a broader scope and treat a wider range of more complex conditions, including neurological or respiratory conditions. Physiotherapists who go on to specialise in post-graduate sports injuries will have in-depth knowledge of sports-specific rehab. Both sports therapists and physiotherapists, however, are equally able to treat the majority of MSK problems. Physiotherapists, after completing their training, will be familiar with a broader range of technologies. Sports therapists on the other hand are far better trained to provide prehabilitation and rehabilitation treatment plans.
At our clinic the difference in skills is further diminished because all our therapists attend weekly CPD and thus there is an ongoing cross fertilisation of knowledge. Also, all our therapists are trained to use all available technology, which means there is no difference at all between therapist types as to the technology they can call upon to help treat you.
In reality, the difference between therapist types is largely irrelevant to you as our skilled admin team will be able to determine who would probably be the best fit for you and at the end of the day, all you need is a therapist who can get your injury fixed and get rid of your pain.
Sports Injury Treatment
While we will now focus on the typical treatment of a sports injury, the same will apply to similar injuries caused outside of sport.
Typically, each sport is prone to its own set of injuries and hence the appropriate treatments are likely to differ from one sports injury to the next. In general, most injuries are accompanied by inflammation and pain. The first step is to calm the inflammation and this might require resting in addition to treatment.
The focus will be on hands on techniques such as strong massage and appropriate technology support, married to bespoke sport specific rehabilitation, stretching and strengthening exercises.
Prevention is always better
Most of us know the importance of rehabilitation following surgery to restore physical strength and function. Many of you, however, might be confused with the concept of prehabilitation aka pre-hab.
Pre-hab is designed to prevent injuries by taking care of weaknesses ahead of time and thus prevent them from developing into a more serious injury. Why bother some may ask, but once a real injury hits, the regret sets in, and you will wish you had spent that extra time looking after your body, thus minimising the risk of the injury from occurring in the first place. To make matters worse, various studies have shown that those who incorporate pre-hab into their daily activities regain full function faster and more easily than those who don’t pre-hab at all.
Most sports enthusiasts are 100% committed to their chosen sport and will go to great lengths to continue the activity, even when an injury is developing and continuation is only going to make things worse. In our experience, runners tend to be the most determined – there is no stopping a runner from running!
This results in overuse injuries being very common, which only get worse without treatment and rest. At some point things will get so bad that it forces backing off or even stopping. This emphasises the importance of prevention. Much better to be proactive and keep running.
- So what are some of the preventative tools we can apply to help:
Regular sports massage, allows a skilled therapist to detect variations in soft tissue, including muscle imbalances, which can then be corrected before they become serious enough to cause discomfort and injury. We cannot overstate the importance of diagnosis through touch. - Strength training. It is so important to strengthen the muscle groups that your chosen sport ignores. If you run and do nothing else, you will build up your quadriceps and calves, but largely ignore the posterior chain of the body, leaving them underdeveloped. A long distance runner will sacrifice muscles needed for speed, such as the hamstrings and glutes. Over time you will lose functionality and will begin to develop muscular imbalances that will ultimately lead to injury. By including strength training, it will not only reduce the chances of injury, but will also help improve your endurance, speed and enjoyment, plus help improve bone density and reduce the probability of stress fractures.
Running gait analysis is a specialised study of your running form. Research has shown that some of the biggest injury risk factors are linked to your running form, and that’s far more than just looking at foot pronation or supination. Our team use video gait analysis combined with industry-leading Footscan plantar pressure data to distinguish between normal and pathological gait. This technology helps us make informed decisions on how best to manage your injury, be it through bespoke rehabilitation plans, running technique and coaching advice, and if necessary custom orthoses. Aside from injury management, we also use our gait lab to help assess running technique with a view to improving running economy and performance. We can even predict overuse injury risk, which is the leading cause of injuries to runners. From the moment you contact the ground to the moment you push off, your stride pattern speaks volumes about your injury risk and running economy. By analysing movement patterns and detailed data about your gait biomechanics, we can determine how you could move more efficiently, improve your running economy and reduce your injury risk.
Conclusion
For the sports enthusiast, injury is an inevitable part of their activity. Most sports injuries respond well and quite quickly to treatment. And while we can usually get you back to your sport fairly quickly, there is no doubt that by adopting a preventative approach and being more proactive in your treatment, that you will avoid many injury occurrences. And not only that, you will recover far more quickly.
For those involved in sports which involve a lot of running, we can go one stage further. With detailed gait analysis we can not only reduce the risk of injury, we can also provide you with an ability to improve your economy and performance.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, then please call the clinic.
01889 881488
Jean, Erica and Charlotte will be happy to help.
Wellness is a proactive process through which people pursue healthier habits, improving their health over time.
The benefits for you? A much more active, vibrant and healthy life!
Quite a lot then and even better with a 30% Discount
If you like the sound of this, read on…….
How Wellness Started At My Clinic
I embarked on a search, nearly 35 years ago, for ways to get better long-lasting, pain-relieving results from treatment, after witnessing first hand in my own family the inability of our western medicine to heal pain. By definition, if western medicine wasn’t successful enough, I had to look beyond our own medicinal doctrine. This took me on a journey which opened my eyes to knowledge which I could see had real benefits to those in constant pain or suffering with illnesses which could be largely avoided.
Inevitably my communications on alternative ways to treat conditions were met with a mixture of disbelief or derision, quite understandable, as it did not fit with the belief systems of that time. The latter was very much based on the individual being a passive player in their own health, with the responsibility left to the medical expert with an adequate supply of pills and the occasional bit of surgery. Also, and probably more importantly, the term ‘Wellness’ had not reached TV or the press with any significant exposure and thus was not in vogue – it was still mostly an unknown term to the general public.
If you convert to wellness and book your first wellness appointment in either January or February, then your next appointment can be booked with a 30% discount.
Not deterred, 10 years ago in January 2014, I wrote my first book, ‘The 4 Keys To Health’, in which I presented an approach where the individual was enjoying being actively engaged in following a regular drumbeat of healthy habits. My keys considered 4 aspects of health:
I proposed a simple red, amber and green traffic light score for each aspect, making interpretation of score very simple and visual.
This I summarised as a Wellness approach. Unfortunately, ‘Wellness’ was at that time still a term commonly filed in the quackery bin and ‘The 4 Keys To Health’ and my four subsequent books, largely gathered dust, mostly unread.
Undeterred, I incorporated my 4 Keys approach into my treatment, taking account of how the individual client scored. Unsurprisingly, I soon recognised that individuals, although presenting with the same injury and pain, had to be treated differently according to their 4 Keys score. For example, a client with 4 red keys needed a much softer approach, more treatment time and a longer healing time than another with 4 green keys. In fact, a treatment modality which was quite suitable for one, might be quite unsuitable for the other.
Lifestyle
Over the last 10 years, independent research studies have concluded results supportive of my model. For example, in my model lifestyle accounts for factors such as the level of social support and relationship strength with friends and family. An independent life expectancy study has since found that the number one factor to extend life expectancy was strong social support and friendship.
The messages contained in my 2014 book was as valid then as it is today. The benefits which could be derived by following a Wellness approach are still just as relevant today, if not more so. With the NHS on its knees, there has never been a more momentous need for a good immune system, particularly should another pandemic arrive.
The good news is that Wellness is now a term firmly embedded in our culture, evidenced in the explosion of wellness clinics and the ever-increasing number of TV programs only now introducing the very same topics I learnt about and enthused over 10 to 30 years ago. Back then, it was ahead of the curve, now it’s commonly accepted by the press and on TV. By far the most important, however, is that the general public is increasingly familiar with Wellness and its potential benefits to them. It’s acceptable now to talk about wellness.
Mindset
Sadly, short term pleasure generally wins over long term pain reduction every time. It’s hardly surprising given the never ending bombardment we all get every day to eat foods laden with sugar and calories, but void of much nutritional value. Even when we try to eat more healthily, it’s not readily understood that most ‘healthy foods’ contain a fraction of the nutrient value they once contained, simply because our farming techniques since the 1950’s have supplied far less mineral value than healthy plants need. The result is that the bulk of land in both North America and Europe is now designated as nutrient depleted and huge amounts of chemicals have to be sprayed on plants to maintain some semblance of health.
Our farm animals rely on a healthy food supply just as much as we do, otherwise good health will be a difficult target. Their food supply is also plant life that grows in nutritionally depleted soil with lots of chemical spraying. No surprise then that around 50% of drugs administered each year are given to farm stock, residuals of which are also likely to reach our dinner plates.
Diet & Nutrition
A consequence of our normal food supply system is that it is nigh impossible to get the level of nutrition you need without supplementation.
All of this and whether the individual tends to accept this and then react to it, will all be part of their mindset, their beliefs. It’s an interesting fact that the bulk of my clients are on mywellness program and that circa 80% of them take supplements. Their pain is significantly less and occurrences of exacerbations and setbacks are significantly less. Clearly, when people adopt a proactive approach to their own health, this includes allowing their belief system to accept that supplementation is an integral part of good health.
Fitness & Exercise
This is perhaps the key that meets with the biggest resistance. Most people hate exercise. Yet lack of exercise is linked to obesity, an inability to live a vibrant life and is associated with cardiovascular problems. Inevitably, lack of exercise is linked to a shorter life expectancy. All this is compounded by the increasingly sedentary lives that many suffer in front of computer screens. Yet as the pain and stiffness subsides, exercise becomes more tolerable, muscles become toned and naturally start burning more carbs, and weight begins to shed.Quite simply, you will feel better, more agile, more vibrant. Life will feel better.
Case Study
I’d like to tell you about my parents, both of whom have pursued a healthy lifestyle for most of their lives and the benefits they have gained have been extraordinary. My father passed away at the age of 91, eventually succumbing to asbestosis, a result of working for years in the naval dock yards in Plymouth. It was estimated that without asbestosis, he would have lived for a good 5 years more. His decline to ill health was relatively short compared to most, measured in months, not years. Right up till then he would often run to the local shop, went to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, and followed that up with 30 or 40 lengths of the pool. He was on absolutely no medication. But he had studied nutrition and its benefits for years and took supplements every day. He had been a smoker while in the dockyards and enjoyed an occasional glass of wine.
My mother is 91 and her story is almost a copy of my fathers. She is on no medication. She is pain free. She walks most days, swims 30 lengths, 3 times a week, has just returned to the gym as well and on her first visit cycled 4 miles to warm up before swimming 30 lengths. And she loved it.
She takes lots supplements and always has. She hardly touches alcohol and has never smoked.
Interestingly, at her last medical consultant appointment, the consultant would not believe her age and asked what her secret was. We then spent a few minutes while my mother advised the consultant her method and he wrote copious notes.
This is what wellness could really mean to you. A long, healthy life.
In contrast to my parents health, our nation’s health and that of our children, is not going in the right direction. Yes, life expectancy is increasing, but healthy life expectancy, or healthspan as it is also known, is not keeping pace. Sadly, the expectation is that a larger proportion of our lives will be lived in ill health, a slow painful experience due to lack of healthy habits and a dangerously lazy need to pursue comfort.
Who, in their right mind, would want this? Well nobody of course, but here comes the Achilles heel-
you must take responsibility for your own health and teach your children to do the same.
Your old age will in many ways be created by the choices you make in your early to midlife. Preparing yourself to be in a safer position to survive a long NHS waiting list or the next pandemic is a wise choice. For most, this requires a step change in beliefs. But if you can take that one small step, then adopting a wellness approach to your life can mean you will increase the proportion of your life lived in good health.
The Wellness approach integrated within my ‘4 Keys To health’ model will provide you with the simple tools you need. By actively taking care of your lifestyle, mindset, diet and fitness, you can become the master of your health destiny.
Start The New Year Positively
Most people start the new year with admirable goals to get fitter, healthier and slimmer. Few, however, achieve those goals, quickly losing the will to succeed and succumbing to short term pleasure again. That’s where we can help. By joining my wellness program we can help you achieve your goals, made much easier by not being in pain, or too immobile. You will experience advanced mindset techniques and energy healing. By converting to our wellness, proactive program, you will soon start to feel the benefits of less pain and more flexibility.
To make the conversion more appealing, we have a special offer which will run through January and February. If you convert to wellness and book your first wellness appointment in either January or February, then your next appointment can be booked with a 30% discount if booked and paid for by the end of February.. This brings continuity to you. It gets you past those first few critical weeks when your will to keep going is most tested.
If you would like help on how to improve your health and get onboard my wellness program, then call now.
Call Now 01889 881488
Jean, Erica & Charlotte will be happy to help.
Imagine your life where stress melts away, pain becomes a thing of the past, and your energy levels soar. What if the key to unlocking this life has been in your hands all along?
I had never felt so good in my whole life?
We can go back thousands of years and find evidence of massage being used to alleviate pain and stress. Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician in 400 BC noted that massage was an important part of overall health maintenance.
If we look at today's world, then we will see sports players, whether football, tennis, the Olympics or any other sport, having massage before and after events and as an integral part of their lifestyle. It reduces the chances of injury and speeds recovery.
In Germany, Doctors often prescribe a course of strong massage as their first line of treatment. In fact, their view is that waiting lists would be significantly reduced if the public had regular massage.
In the UK, our physiotherapy profession actually started as the Society of Trained Masseurs, and to this day physiotherapists are trained to use this powerfully successful hands on treatment, as part of their skills base.
Seeing the impact of their lifestyle on their heart can have a profound effect
I personally attended an intensive 2 week course on deep tissue massage, during which I benefited from several hours of massage every day. At the beginning, I was like many other people, doing some exercise, but suffering from a largely static and stressful lifestyle. When I started the deep tissue course, I very soon became aware of every bit of tension and stress in my body and I won't lie, treatment was initially painful. But here's the thing, that changed quite quickly and I have to say that by the end of the two week course I had never felt so good in my whole life, so much so that I craved daily massage. Sadly, I could not find an accessible location where I could get the quality and intensity of massage I was used to. The result today is that while I continue to exercise, I have never, ever felt as good since finishing that course.
Would massage be good for you?
The answer to that is an emphatic YES - provided you recognise that to fully benefit from its power it needs to regular.
Sure, if you get injured then massage as part of your treatment makes total sense, but the real power lies in its preventative benefits.
German doctors recognise this
Olympic athletes recognise this
Nearly every sports player recognises this
and so should YOU as the evidence is overwhelming.
A brief delve into types of massage?
Unfortunately, most people's experience with massage is with a gentle, Swedish type. It feels nice and soothing, but, truthfully, has minimal impact on deep seated injury, pain or with a general lack of condition in muscles. No wonder then that massage struggles to be commonly thought of as anything more than a luxurious treat.
For those who truly want to feel less stress and with a more flexible, agile body, that has a greater resistance to injury and pain, then either sports massage or the ultimate, deep tissue massage, is needed - but to provide preventative benefits it has to be regular.
A Medical Perspective?
Stress is on the increase and quite simply can be a killer. The body cannot heal itself if it is continuously stressed. Blood pressure will rise. Scientific studies have shown that excessive and prolonged variation in heart rate, caused by stress, is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, anxiety and a weakened immune system. Furthermore, just relaxing at the end of the day, perhaps with your favourite tipple, cannot undo the damage caused by a full day of stress.
We can measure heart rate variance at our clinic and many clients are shocked by their results. Seeing the impact of their lifestyle on their heart can have a profound effect.
Modern technology, such as heart rate variance merely amplifies how accurate our ancient forefathers were about health and emphasises how seriously we should treat their wisdom.
Conclusion
Time and again we see clients at our clinic, who for either physical or emotional reasons, would greatly benefit from regular massage, but will not as they cannot get over the stigma of it being a luxury, not helped by their lack of understanding of its therapeutic value. Without doubt, many clients would live a more pain free and energetic existence, and be less stressed, if they could overcome their own perceptions of the true benefits of massage.
Perhaps it is time for you to look again at massage with a new perspective and all the benefits it can offer you.
If you would like more information about the massage we offer or our Heart Rate Variance technology, then please call 01889 881488.
Jean, Erica and Charlotte will be happy to help.
Most people seek help for pain when it becomes unbearable—a sudden injury, a flare-up, or chronic discomfort that becomes too much to bear. But true health isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about building a future where pain doesn’t control you.
At the Nicky Snazell Clinic, we do more than just treat pain. We guide you on a journey toward lasting wellness, equipping you with the tools to lead a healthier, happier life. Whether you’re in pain right now or want to prevent future issues, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
A Journey to Better Health
Imagine your health as a train journey, with several stops along the way:
- Acute Injury – Pain that needs immediate attention to get you back on track.
- Chronic Flare-Up – Ongoing issues that require calming the symptoms and addressing the root cause.
- Maintenance – Preventative care to minimise flare-ups and keep you stable.
- Wellness – The ultimate destination, where you take control of your health, living pain-free and with renewed vitality.
Most people join us at the acute or flare-up stage, looking for relief. While we’re highly skilled at delivering quick results, the real value comes when you stay on board for the journey to wellness. That’s where we can help you create a healthier, happier future.
Call us now to start your recovery - 01889 881488
Why Choose the Nicky Snazell Clinic?
Hands-On Expertise with Proven Results
At the core of what we do is advanced hands-on therapy. Our skilled therapists use finely honed techniques to identify the exact source of your pain, delivering targeted, hands-on treatment that’s backed by the latest technology. This combination ensures faster relief and longer-lasting results.
Our ability to listen and truly understand your concerns sets us apart. When you visit us, we don’t just treat the pain—we address the underlying issues while keeping your personal goals at the forefront.
Call us now to start your recovery - 01889 881488
Nicky Snazell: A Lifetime of Dedication to Pain Relief
Our founder, Nicky Snazell, is a globally recognised expert in pain management and wellness. With degrees in Biological Science and Physiotherapy, Nicky embarked on a lifelong mission to expand beyond the limitations of traditional medicine. She has trained in advanced techniques like GunnIMS dry needling, becoming the first-ever honorary fellow of Professor Gunn’s Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain. This places her among the top GunnIMS practitioners globally.
Nicky’s expertise has even been sought out on Harley Street, one of the most prestigious medical locations in the world. Her unique 4 Keys to Health model combines mindset, lifestyle, diet, and exercise to achieve results that go far beyond pain relief, helping clients take control of their health and wellbeing.
Sharing Her Knowledge
To ensure her insights reach as many people as possible, Nicky has authored 5 books, with a sixth, Breaking Point, set to be published in 2025. She has also shared her expertise on US radio stations and at international events, cementing her reputation as an authority and a thought leader in pain relief and health.
When you come to the Nicky Snazell Clinic, you’re not just accessing advanced physiotherapy, you’re benefiting from decades of learning, practice, and passion for helping people live pain-free, healthier lives.
Call us now to start your recovery - 01889 881488
Why Maintenance Isn’t Enough
Many clients stop their journey at the maintenance stage, thinking hands-on treatment alone is enough to keep pain at bay. While maintenance reduces the risk of flare-ups, it doesn’t address the bigger picture and importantly, does not give you all the benefits possible. That’s why we encourage our clients to aim for the ultimate destination: Wellness.
What Is Wellness?
Wellness is about more than just preventing pain. It’s a proactive approach that helps you:
- Manage stress and emotional health
- Build a healthier lifestyle
- Optimise your diet to support recovery and energy
- Develop a tailored exercise plan
Those who adopt a wellness approach tend to have shorter, less painful final chapters in life. By investing in your health today, you’re creating a future where you can enjoy a longer, healthier, and more active retirement.
Your Journey Starts Here
The choices you make today determine the quality of your life tomorrow. Don’t let pain derail your plans or keep you from living the life you deserve. At the Nicky Snazell Clinic, we’re here to guide you from pain relief to preventative care and, ultimately, to wellness.
If you are in pain, we can help
or call 01889 881488
Jean, Erica & Charlotte will be happy to help
Happy Holidays!
This Christmas holiday take the time to think and reflect on life’s experiences. Do you remember just a few years ago when the world shut down its industries and seeing the truly staggering improvements in the air and rivers that took just a few weeks to occur? It was a wonderful thing to see and probably beyond anybody’s expectations. It was a lesson we should all embrace.
You can achieve almost anything if you put your mind to it. So think big, don’t limit your imagination. And make sure you are as healthy and able as you can be. Don’t let your own body hold you back!
Christmas & New Year Opening Hours
There is always a last minute surge in demand just before Christmas as people prepare for the festivities. To help, this year we are going to be open on Monday 23rd December and then close the remainder of the week.
We will reopen on Monday 30th December and close for New Years day only that week.
The team wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year.
If you do need our help, call 01889 881488
Ever had pain in your leg, arm, or even your foot and thought, “Why is this happening?” What if I told you that the real problem might be lurking in your spine? It might sound surprising, but it’s more common than you’d think. Understanding this connection could be the key to getting the right treatment and finally finding relief.
A Little Evolutionary Lesson: How Limbs and Nerves Evolved Together
Let’s take a journey back in time—way back. Millions of years ago, when our ancestors were still fish, life was simpler. They had a central nervous system with nerves running up and down the spine to control their bodies. But they didn’t have to worry about arms or legs—those came later, as we evolved into land-dwellers.
As we developed limbs, the nervous system evolved too, with nerves extending from the spine all the way to the hands and feet. Think of your limbs as an extension of your spine. The nerves that once travelled only along the spine now branch out into your arms and legs. So, when you feel pain in your arm, it might actually be a signal coming from a “squeezed wire” in your neck. And if your foot is hurting, the root cause might be pressure on a nerve in your lower back.
Call us today at 01889 881488 for expert help if unexplained pain is holding you back.
How the Nervous System Works: Motor and Sensory Nerves
The nervous system is a complex highway of information running through our bodies. It’s made up of two main types of nerves:
Motor nerves, which carry messages from the brain to the muscles, telling them how to move.
Sensory nerves, which send feedback from the body back to the brain—things like touch, pressure, heat, and, yes, pain.
Now imagine these nerves as a tightly packed bundle of electrical wires running down your spine. Each “wire” connects to a specific part of the body, like a small patch of skin on your foot. If you injure your foot, the sensory nerve sends a pain signal up that “wire” to your brain.
But what happens if that wire is pinched back at the source—say, in the spine? Your brain still gets the pain signal, and you feel pain in your foot, even though the real problem is in your back. This is what we call referred pain.
Call us today at 01889 881488 for expert help if unexplained pain is holding you back.
Case Study 1: Sciatica—It’s Not Just About the Leg
I’ve personally experienced this with sciatica—a classic example of referred pain. After overloading my back with a bit too much DIY, I started feeling pain in my right foot. It’s my warning signal that there’s pressure building up in my lower back, even though the pain shows up in my foot.
The solution? I get Nicky to treat my back with her GunnIMS skills, targeting the exact spot in my spine where the nerve is being pinched. One treatment on my back, and the foot pain disappears—because the pain was never in my foot in the first place.
The lesson here: If you’re dealing with leg or foot pain, don’t ignore the possibility that your back might be the real culprit.
Stop the guessing game—get the right diagnosis today. Call us at 01889 881488.
Case Study 2: Avoiding Surgery with the Right Diagnosis
Not long ago, a client came to us with severe wrist pain, previously diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and scheduled for surgery. But he wanted to explore other options to avoid the downtime that surgery would require—time he couldn’t afford as a small business owner.
During his assessment, we found significant issues in his neck, right where the nerves controlling the wrist exit the spine. His wrist wasn’t the problem at all—his neck was. After a few GunnIMS treatments on his neck, both his neck and wrist pain disappeared, and he was able to avoid surgery altogether.
The takeaway? Sometimes, the solution isn’t where you expect it to be. Understanding how the spine and nerves interact can save you from unnecessary procedures.
Could your pain have a different cause? Find out today—call 01889 881488.
Case Study 3: Helping an Athlete Get Back in the Game
An international football player, at the time playing for a major London club, came to us after suffering repeated hamstring injuries. These injuries were so frequent that he found himself being substituted in games more often than not. Despite all the intense treatment focused on his hamstrings, there was no improvement.
When he came to Nicky, she quickly identified the real issue: a trapped nerve in his spine. No amount of treatment on his legs alone would have ever resolved the problem. After addressing the spinal issue, his hamstring troubles were gone, and he returned to full-time play without the constant worry of injury.
What’s the takeaway? Sometimes the answer lies far from where the pain is. Treating the root cause can be the difference between ongoing frustration and lasting recovery.
Ready to get back to your best? Call us today at 01889 881488.
Case Study 4: The Role of Mindset in Understanding Pain
Understanding the link between spinal health and limb pain can be tricky, and sometimes mindset is the biggest barrier. We had a client with knee pain that was ruining his golf game. During his assessment, it became clear that a problem in his spine was referring pain down to his knee. But when we suggested treating his back, he became quite angry—he’d never had back pain, so how could that be the cause?
He reluctantly agreed to a quick investigation, and just one needle insertion confirmed that his back was indeed the source of the issue. While the treatment worked, the experience highlighted how powerful beliefs can be. He couldn’t accept that his knee pain could have been linked to his spine, even when the evidence was right there.
Perception is reality, but sometimes that perception can work against you.
Why Understanding the Spine-Limb Connection Matters
At Nicky Snazell Clinic, we believe in looking beyond the obvious symptoms to find the true cause of your pain. This is why understanding the connection between the spine and limb pain is so crucial. It’s not about focusing on just where the pain is—it’s about understanding the bigger picture.
And here’s where prevention comes in. A little regular care for your spine can prevent those “wires” from being pinched in the first place. Whether it’s maintenance treatments to keep you active or embracing a wellness approach with Nicky’s 4 Keys to Health, prevention helps you avoid the cycle of pain and get back to doing the things you love.
Take control of your pain before it takes control of you. Call 01889 881488 to schedule your assessment.
Your Pain Isn’t Always What It Seems
If you’re struggling with arm, leg, or even foot pain, it might be time to look beyond the obvious. The spine-limb connection could hold the answer, and we’re here to help you find it.
At Nicky Snazell Clinic, we’ve seen time and time again that a holistic approach—one that considers the entire body—leads to better outcomes. Let’s get to the root of your pain and help you get back to living life on your terms.
Don’t suffer needlessly—call us today at 01889 881488 and get the relief you deserve.
So, you’ve learned all about the wonders of vitamin D—how it boosts your mood, strengthens your bones, and helps keep your immune system in top shape. But there’s another key player in this story that deserves its moment in the spotlight: vitamin K2. If vitamin D is the star of the show, then K2 is the director, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Let’s explore why this often-overlooked vitamin is crucial, especially when you’re boosting your vitamin D levels.
What is Vitamin K2, and Why Do We Need It?
Vitamin K2, like its cousin Vitamin K1 (known for its role in blood clotting), is a fat-soluble vitamin, but it has a different set of superpowers. While K1 helps our blood clot properly when we get a cut, K2’s job is more about managing calcium. Think of K2 as the traffic controller for calcium in your body. It makes sure calcium gets to where it’s needed—like your bones and teeth—and stays out of places where it could cause harm, such as your arteries.
Why Vitamin K2 and Vitamin D Make the Perfect Team
If you’re taking vitamin D, it’s essential to know about K2 because the two work together to maintain a healthy balance. Here’s how:
Directing Calcium to the Right Places: Vitamin D increases the amount of calcium your body absorbs from the food you eat, which is great for bone health. But without K2, there’s a risk that some of that extra calcium could end up in places you don’t want it—like in your arteries, where it can lead to calcification (hardening). This is where vitamin K2 steps in, activating proteins that guide calcium into your bones and teeth, rather than letting it float around in your bloodstream.
Activating Key Proteins: One of the crucial proteins that K2 activates is matrix GLA protein (MGP), which is found in the walls of blood vessels. MGP’s job is to prevent calcium from building up in those walls, keeping your arteries flexible and clear. Without enough K2, MGP can’t do its job properly, and this could increase the risk of conditions like atherosclerosis, where arteries become stiff and narrowed.
Better Together: When you combine vitamin D and K2, you get a one-two punch for bone and heart health. The D makes sure you’ve got plenty of calcium, and the K2 makes sure it goes where it should. It’s a perfect balance that helps support your bones while keeping your arteries healthy.
How Much Vitamin K2 Do You Need?
So, you might be wondering, “How much K2 should I be taking if I’m already on a vitamin D supplement?” The answer depends on your vitamin D dose, but here’s a general guide:
If you’re taking a typical vitamin D dose of 1,000 to 4,000 IU daily, many experts suggest 100 to 200 micrograms (mcg) of K2 (specifically the MK-7 form, which lasts longer in the body).
If you’re taking higher doses of vitamin D, you might consider the upper end of the K2 range, around 200 mcg or more. This helps ensure that all that extra calcium from the D gets directed to your bones.
It’s worth noting that K2 is available in some foods, like fermented foods (think natto, a type of fermented soybean, or some cheeses) and animal products like egg yolks and liver. But realistically, many of us don’t eat enough of these to rely on food sources alone, especially if we’re aiming to balance out vitamin D supplements.
The Heart Health Connection
One of the biggest benefits of vitamin K2 is how it helps keep your heart healthy. When calcium builds up in your arteries, it can make them stiff and increase the risk of heart problems. By helping to prevent this calcification, K2 plays a role in keeping your blood vessels flexible and your blood flowing smoothly.
Studies have shown that people with higher K2 intakes tend to have better cardiovascular health. And while K2 won’t work miracles on its own, it’s an important part of a broader approach to taking care of your heart—alongside eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress.
How to Take K2 with Vitamin D
If you’re already taking a vitamin D supplement and want to add K2 into the mix, there are a few options:
Combined Supplements: You can find supplements that contain both vitamin D and K2 in one convenient pill. Just check the label to make sure you’re getting the right balance.
Separate Supplements: If you prefer to control your dosage more closely, you can take vitamin D and K2 separately. This can be a good option if you’re taking a higher dose of D and want to adjust the amount of K2 accordingly.
Food Sources: While it can be challenging to get all your K2 from diet alone, adding some K2-rich foods into your diet, like certain cheeses (Gouda is a good one), egg yolks, and fermented foods, can give you a little boost alongside your supplements.
In Summary: The Dynamic Duo for Your Health
If vitamin D is all about absorbing calcium and keeping your bones strong, then vitamin K2 is about making sure that calcium gets to the right places. The two work together beautifully, with K2 stepping in to support the work that vitamin D starts. This combination not only helps protect your bones but also plays a crucial role in keeping your heart healthy.
So, if you’ve already got your vitamin D routine sorted, it might be time to invite vitamin K2 into the mix. Think of it as the co-pilot that helps you stay on course, ensuring you get the best out of your vitamin D while keeping those important systems running smoothly. And as always, if you’re unsure about how much you need, a chat with your doctor can help tailor the right plan for you.
Vitamin D, often called the “sunshine vitamin,” is in the spotlight for its role in everything from our mood and immune system to bone strength. But, despite its name, it’s technically more of a hormone than a vitamin—our bodies produce it when exposed to sunlight. It’s been called a vitamin for so long that most of us stick with that name, even though it might not be entirely accurate.
Why Is Vitamin D So Important?
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in many processes throughout the body. It’s not just about keeping our bones strong—it actually enters the cells and can even switch certain genes on or off, affecting up to 5% of our genes. This ability helps regulate a lot of important functions, including immune responses. That’s why it’s so critical for maintaining good health.
The Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D's Effectiveness
But there’s a bit of a twist—vitamin D doesn’t work solo. It needs a supporting act, and that’s where magnesium comes in. Magnesium helps convert vitamin D into its active form, which is the one your body can actually use. Without enough magnesium, taking vitamin D might not give you the full benefits, no matter how high the dose. Think of magnesium as the key that unlocks vitamin D’s potential.
Magnesium is also crucial for balancing calcium levels, which is especially important when vitamin D is doing its job of helping you absorb calcium. If magnesium is lacking, you might end up with calcium building up in places it shouldn’t, like your blood vessels, rather than strengthening your bones where it’s needed most. So, magnesium and vitamin D really work best as a team to keep your bones strong and your body functioning properly.
Why Is Deficiency So Common?
Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common, even in advanced countries like the USA, where about 40% of adults are thought to be lacking. Globally, estimates range between 14% to 59%. One reason is that it’s hard to get enough from food alone. Sure, it’s present in fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, and liver, but most of us don’t eat these in large enough quantities to make a difference.
The real challenge comes from geography. Vitamin D production depends on sunlight, so those of us living further from the equator—like in the UK—struggle to get enough in autumn and winter when the days are short and the sun is weak. A study from Switzerland showed that during spring and summer, just 4 to 6 minutes in the sun with 22% of your skin exposed can produce 400 IU of vitamin D. But in winter, you’d need around 6.5 hours for the same result! This explains why supplementation becomes so important during the darker months.
How Much Do We Need?
The UK government recommends a daily intake of 400 IU to maintain bone health. The NHS and the European Food Safety Authority set the upper safe limit at 4,000 IU. Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a medical researcher, points out that the right dose can vary depending on your size, weight, and existing levels of vitamin D. Some experts argue that we can handle much higher amounts—after all, on a hot day, your skin can produce up to 20,000 IU with enough sun exposure.
But there’s a catch: you can’t overdose on vitamin D from sunlight, as the body regulates its production. Problems can arise if you take too many supplements over a long time, which can lead to too much calcium in your blood. This condition, called hypercalcaemia, can weaken bones and damage the heart and kidneys. So, if you’re considering taking more than the standard dose, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor and possibly get your levels checked.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Some groups are particularly at risk of vitamin D deficiency. As we get older, our skin produces less of a substance called 7DHC, which is key to making vitamin D from sunlight. This makes it even harder for older adults to get enough.
People with darker skin tones also face challenges because their skin naturally blocks more sunlight, which is great for avoiding sunburn but makes vitamin D production slower. This can be a real problem in places like the UK, where sunny days aren’t exactly common. Research during the initial phase of COVID-19 highlighted that darker-skinned individuals, including many NHS doctors who were among the first to die from the virus, were more likely to have low vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Immunity: Lessons from COVID-19
Vitamin D’s role in supporting the immune system became a hot topic during the pandemic. Studies showed that having enough vitamin D might reduce the severity of illnesses like COVID-19 by supporting T-cells—our body’s immune warriors. In fact, we sent out a blog on Vitamin D and COVID back in January 2021, and the results discussed at that time were eerily similar to the findings being discussed today.
For those who would like to revisit that blog, here is the link.
That blog also had a link to a video by Professor Roger Seheult, an American Medical Doctor. For the more technically minded its well worth watching.
Here are some of the key facts from the 2021 blog:
- A study of 14,000 COVID positive patients in Israel showed that low Vitamin D levels doubled the risk of hospitalisation
- A USA study of 191,000 patients COVID positivity rate showed a clear inverse relationship with Vitamin D level. The higher the Vitamin D, the lower the rate. This study also looked in detail at the rate by geography, race, age and sex and found that in every case the higher the Vitamin D level, the lower the rate.
- A study of 20 European countries looked at the number of cases and mortality of patients compared to the average Vitamin D levels in each country and found an inverse relationship. i.e. the higher the Vitamin D, the lower the number of cases and the lower the mortality.
A randomised controlled study of COVID positive patients who were given Vitamin D supplements, showed 2% went to ICU, compared to 50% from the placebo group. This study was only 76 patients and is going to be repeated with a larger population. - A French study of nursing home patients showed that those who were given 80,000 iu per 2 to 3 months had a much higher survival rate than those who hadn’t had any Vitamin D in the previous month.
Clearly a lot of studies suggested there was a strong correlation between Vitamin D levels and acute respiratory infections (ARI). Evidence showed that COVID cases, ICU and mortality were all inversely proportional to Vitamin D levels. That meant the higher your Vitamin D level, within limits, the lower your chances of getting COVID, needing ICU and it being fatal.
Dr. David Grimes, a consultant physician, notes that vitamin D helps the immune system respond more effectively, which could mean fewer infections and better recovery when we do get ill. It’s like giving your immune system a bit of extra strength when it needs it most.
Dr. Grimes also points out that in cases of serious deficiency, a single high dose of vitamin D might be used to boost levels quickly, but it can take a week before it becomes effective. This approach isn’t common in the UK, even though it’s used in countries like Spain and Italy.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Long-Term Health
The benefits of vitamin D extend beyond immunity. It’s crucial for mental health, with low levels linked to mood disorders like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression. It also plays a role in maintaining strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium. But remember, without enough magnesium, this process doesn’t work as well, and you might not be getting all the benefits of your vitamin D.
Magnesium is like the supporting player that makes sure the calcium ends up in your bones—not where it doesn’t belong, like soft tissues. That’s why some people choose to take a magnesium supplement along with vitamin D. And of course, eating magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds can help keep everything in balance naturally.
There’s also some research exploring potential links between low vitamin D levels and conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is more common in countries further from the equator, where vitamin D deficiencies are common, suggesting there might be a connection. However, while we know that low vitamin D can increase the risk, there’s no clear evidence yet that higher levels can prevent MS.
How Can You Boost Your Vitamin D Levels?
If you’re in a sunny place, getting outside is the easiest way to boost your vitamin D. But let’s be honest—that’s not always an option in the UK. For many, a daily supplement is the best bet, especially in the winter months. Dr. Grimes suggests that finding the right dose means testing your levels first and then adjusting your intake.
Some people also take vitamin K2 alongside vitamin D to ensure that calcium goes to the right places, like bones, rather than tissues, where it could cause problems. It’s an extra step that can make a big difference, especially for those with concerns about heart health.
So, Should You Be Taking a Vitamin D Supplement?
You simply can’t get enough from food and that’s probably why in 2016 the UK government recommended everyone should take Vitamin D supplements. Probably, as we are all living somewhere with long winters and limited sun. But as with most things, balance is key. Too little vitamin D can lead to a range of health problems, but too much can cause issues as well. And don’t forget about magnesium—without it, your vitamin D might not be doing its job properly. If you’re unsure, chat with your doctor, especially before taking high doses. And when the sun does shine, take the opportunity to soak it up responsibly—your body will thank you for it.
We will be blogging on Vitamin K2 and it’s importance to take alongside Vitamin D in a blog in the near future. If you have found this blog interesting, then the K2 blog is likely to be just as much.
A couple of common questions we get from clients with a Sports Injury are:
- Are you equipped at our clinic to treat your kind of injury?
- How can I trust that you have the expertise to know how to fix your injury, because you are desperate to get back to your sport as it is a very important part of your lifestyle?
To answer this, let’s take you through our S.P.O.R.T. acronym.
S
is about being a sports specialist. So yes, our team are specialists and it’s also about specific injuries. If you turn up with tennis elbow, golfers elbow, throwers shoulder, a bad back due to too much golf, jumpers knee, calf issues like Achilles Tendonitis from running, golf or cricket, our specialists will know what the injury is and exactly how long and what type of exercises and rehab you need to do, before you can go back to your sport and be good at it again.
We are spoiled with our physios and sports therapists. One has an Olympic Medal for running, one has played at very high-level football at major clubs and still plays football. Another is a chairman of a local cricket club and loves to play golf and cricket. We also have long term boxer, now retired, and another competing in weightlifting.
Thus, if you come to us with a sports injury, they will get it; they will align with your mindset because they know what it’s like to get hurt.
Also, if you are a veteran and you want to keep fit, they will understand that as well because some of us are getting on a bit as well, and we have to modify our sports accordingly. I love kayaking, mountain biking and swimming. All low impact, and I do it for fun, to keep fit and get rid of stress after long days.
If you want to enjoy that kind of activity, of course we can help you with that too.
P
We are very much into prevention as well, to make sure you don’t get the same injury again. We have the latest technology where we can look at why you got the injury in the first place. The injury may have happened because of the way you are moving incorrectly. We can teach you how to keep really fit and in a way that prevents your type of injury. Certain sports, for example golf, puts a huge demand on your back, so you need to be able to fitness and strengthening exercises to both sides of the back to prevent injury.
O
is for optimising rehab. It is about how we get you as fit as we can so that you can cope with the rehab programme.
We ask you questions about your lifestyle stresses now, if you are eating healthily and have you been keeping up with your fitness training correctly. We make sure you really have the right mindset at the moment, or if there is something stressful going on. Are you battling to do your training with your work commitments. From this we get a better picture on how to coach you to get through what you need to do to get fit.
R
is about recovery and conditioning. We will be there every step of the way and will intervene as needed if it’s not going right. In our run lab we can take you to the screen and together examine how you are moving. We can test your muscle strength and check that your injury is healing at this level of rehab.
Before you couldn’t do this many laps around the park, or jumps or skips, but now a tailor-made holistic recovery plan ensures you can without breaking. We have the knowledge to help you recover in the safest way.
T
is for out treatment techniques and technology. Rest assured we’ve got the latest technology to help you, the latest software in our run lab to look at the way you are running and moving. The latest shockwave technology that we can use to blast through tissue to speed up the healing process for a sports injury.
If you have a sports injury, we can help.
S is about being a sports specialist. So yes, our team are specialists and it’s also about specific injuries. If you turn up with tennis elbow, golfers elbow, throwers shoulder, a bad back due to too much golf, jumpers knee, calf issues like Achilles Tendonitis from running, golf or cricket, our specialists will know what the injury is and exactly how long and what type of exercises and rehab you need to do, before you can go back to your sport and be good at it again.
We are spoiled with our physios and sports therapists. One has an Olympic Medal for running, one has played at very high-level football at major clubs and still plays football. Another is a chairman of a local cricket club and loves to play golf and cricket. We also have long term boxer, now retired, and another competing in weightlifting.
Thus, if you come to us with a sports injury, they will get it; they will align with your mindset because they know what it’s like to get hurt.
If you are in pain, we can help
or call 01889 881488
Jean, Erica & Charlotte will be happy to help
Olympic Bronze Medalist 1992 Barcelona
Women’s Health & MSK Physiotherapist
When I started working in the Staffordshire area I soon heard about Nicky Snazell and how she was an amazing holistic practitioner. That was me, a holistic physio who looked at people as a whole. I was intrigued. I wanted to find out a lot more about Nicky and her clinic.
Read on to follow Sandra’s story.
I was soul searching and thought why not just reach out to Nicky. She engaged with me immediately and I knew that the connection was there. The thought of having the opportunity to work in a clinic with such an amazing therapist as Nicky completely blew my mind!
On visiting the clinic and meeting Nicky and Alan face to face I thought I had come home. It was a perfect setting and felt like I had visited the clinic before, although of course I hadn't. All the staff were so welcoming and warming.
On watching Nicky treat some of her patients, I knew I had to work here. She treated patients completely differently to anything I’d witnessed before and it was clear that her dry needling skills were at an unbelievably high level.
Although I am bringing another skill to the clinic as a Women’s Health/ Pelvic Health physio, I do use acupuncture as a treatment modality on a daily basis and Nicky would be a phenomenal acupuncture and dry needling mentor! The training and education that she has shared worldwide is amazing and I wanted to have some of that, as part of her team, shared with me too.
I am naturally very competitive, always striving to be my best, never accepting the status quo. I thus have a strong need to learn and learn from the best, as only the best will do. That’s why joining the team at Nicky Snazell Clinic was so important to me.
"I am so glad to be welcomed on board. Thanks for having me, I am honoured."
If you are suffering with any pelvic floor problems, then you are not alone, as a third of women suffer with this at some point in their life. Don’t suffer unnecessarily. Help is at hand.
