We are looking for a senior MSK physiotherapist to join our triple award-winning private clinic, located in a beautiful grade II conversion, in stunning countryside near Stafford.
We have a well-established professional, happy and motivated team who provide the very best hands-on treatment and have an enviable reputation, rated 5 Star on Google, with a client base covering the whole of the UK and many from abroad. The clinic owner is a leading exponent of IMS dry needling, has written 5 books on health and is an international lecturer on pain and health. The clinic offers a tremendous learning environment and is very well equipped with a broad range of the latest electrotherapy equipment.
We treat predominantly MSK conditions, including specialist spinal pain treatment, physiotherapy, sports therapy, biomechanical assessment and massage. The clinic ethos is that prevention is as important as treatment and that wellness is an integral part of everything we do.
The Role:
We are looking for a senior MSK physiotherapist for 3 or more days a week, or, alternatively, two physiotherapists for 2 days a week. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent MSK and people skills and be a team player.
The role will offer MSK specialist physiotherapist support where necessary, in house training plus a training budget pro rata.
Key Responsibilities:
- To provide a high standard physiotherapy service to a variety of patients, predominately musculoskeletal and rheumatological, and those with orthopaedic conditions.
- To provide high standard of physiotherapy assessment and treatment using the biopsychosocial approach to patients with a variety of conditions, as an autonomous practitioner.
- To provide a clinical diagnosis and to develop and deliver an individualised treatment program, as an autonomous practitioner. Self-management tools should be identified, discussed and followed up with the patient.
- To be legally and professionally responsible for a high-level clinical caseload of musculoskeletal patients as an autonomous practitioner.
- Liaise with the multidisciplinary team and other staff members regarding patient management as necessary.
- As part of a learning environment, you will be expected to take part in the supervision and education of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Applicant Requirements:
- Qualifications: Chartered Physiotherapist and preferably an acupuncturist
- Experience: Minimum of 4 years working in the UK, plus evidence of post-grad CPD
- Compliance: CSP, HCPC and preferably AACP registrations.
Package
- £33,000 to £40,000 pro-rata
- Bonus scheme
- Pension scheme
- Sickness cover
- 28 days holiday pro rata
- Flexible hours
To apply or for further information please email nickys@painreliefclinic.co.uk
What happens in a drought? A hose pipe ban, a car wash ban, shorter showers, less water in the bath. We all protect the vital stuff, like making sure we and our animals get water. Fortunately, we live in a country with more than its fair share of rain and our droughts don’t last too long, so a drought tends to be more of a temporary irritant than a serious problem.
But what if a drought did last for a long time? What would happen to our gardens if they hardly ever got watered? Well, a lot of very poorly and dead plants, and lawns that wouldn’t win any prizes for sure.
It’s doubtful anyone would argue with the above in principle, after all it’s stating the blindingly obvious.
If it’s so obvious then, why is it that at least 75% of us and maybe as many as 90% are long term dehydrated? Given that plants left dehydrated long term will get weak and die, then it should come as no surprise that our complex bodies are likely to suffer the same fate. Why do we put ourselves at this risk? Find out how dehydrated you are by answering this simple questionnaire:
Do you rarely have thirst / dry mouth?
Do you rarely get headaches?
Is your urine a mild (not dark) yellow colour?
Are your skin and lips moist, not dry?
Do you have regular bowel movements most days?
Do you have less than two glasses of alcohol a day?
Do you have five helpings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day?
Do you have several glasses of fruit water / juice / herbal teas a day, even if resting?
Do you avoid having too many salty snacks?
Score 1 for each Yes. Total 0—3 Red, 4—6 Amber, 7—9 Green. Get Nicky’s ‘4 Keys To Health’ book for more information.
Your body will start to react to dehydration with as little as a 1% drop in availability and a priority system will start to kick in. Your brain needs a lot of water and your organs functions are vital. These will get priority, because these are more critical to life. Non critical body parts will get a bit of what is left.
Up To 90% Of Us Are Dehydrated
The list of potential problems from dehydration are huge and are linked to many diseases. The implication to overall wellness is obvious—stay dehydrated at your peril. As a clinic which treats patients every day with pain and injury, here are some dehydration issues we see:
- Just about every joint in your body has cartilage, which needs to be kept hydrated to stay healthy. Dehydrated cartilage will promote inflammation, pain and arthritis.
- Spinal discs need to stay moist and supple. Without adequate hydration this could cause a multitude of spinal problems.
- Muscles will cramp, swell, become tender, have reduced strength and possibly suffer tissue damage.
- Dehydrated tendons and ligaments can make you more prone to injury, pain and inflammation.
Long term dehydration is clearly serious and is linked to many diseases. So why are we so prone to dehydration when it is so easy to fix?
Your Body Has Drought Management
Many studies have shown that what we drink is just as important as how much we drink. In the UK caffeine loaded beverages like coffee, tea and sodas are prevalent. In fact, most of us don’t drink water at all.
The problem with caffeine, if concentrated, is that it is a diuretic which in many cases stimulates us to lose more water than we consume in the drink itself. Thus, drinks like this act to dehydrate, not hydrate.
This issue is contentious and we have to accept that many arguments will have a financial motive. But let’s use common sense. Most people in the UK drink tea and coffee as their main source of fluid intake. If these drinks are not diuretic, then how come nearly 90% of us are dehydrated?
There are many social factors which prevent adequate fluid intake as well. People whose environment does not provide easy access to a toilet, such as drivers for example, are very prone to low fluid intake.
A further factor is with the elderly, who simply don’t register they are thirsty in the first place, plus don’t want to drink too much to reduce visits to the loo.
Here are some simple guidelines on how to stay properly hydrated:
- Drink water as well as diuretic drinks. Recommendations vary but aim for about 1.2 litres per day
- First thing in the morning drink a big glass of water, not tea or coffee.
- If you are feeling hungry, it may be you are thirsty. Drink some water first as that quenches hunger.
- If you are feeling lethargic in the day, drink some water. Lethargy is an early sign of dehydration.
If you are concerned about your hydration level and would like an accurate measurement, we have some very clever Quadscan technology that will analyse your hydration levels in detail. The test is painless and will take about 20 minutes. Ask at reception for details.
Call Now 01889 881488. Erica & Jean will be happy to help
Last night the PM announced we go to Tier 5, a newer and bigger iceberg for us to sail around.
We remain open as we are considered an essential service
As we have reported to you in recent weeks, this pandemic will inevitably cause a lot of emotional and physical pain and we are here to help. The whole team is available and our opening hours remain the same.
If you are in pain, call us. We can help.
Call 01889 88144
Humans have a built in primitive and automatic defence mechanism, which today we refer to as our ‘fight or flight’ response. Early human response to being hunted would have been ‘fight or flight’, causing an instant release of a whole cascade of chemical changes in the body, raising breathing rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate. Non urgent functions, like the immune system, would have been shut down and the conscious brain switched off. All that mattered was to maximise speed of reaction and the ability of the body to fight or escape. Once the threat was removed, his body would have returned to normal operation.
Although we don’t have to face being hunted now, our systems react exactly the same way to any perceived threat and these threats can be a lot longer lasting, which is not healthy for us. Being stuck in a traffic jam, having a difficult work situation, or living in a pandemic will be very stressful and will trigger our fight or flight response, with the same cascade of chemical changes and the same preferential control of internal systems. Clearly, now more than ever, it’s not good to have prolonged periods in this state, with our immune system shut down.
When in fight or flight mode we are anxious and lose our ability for rational thought and our memories are blurred. That’s why we are unable to clearly remember what happened in accidents. It’s also why you can’t seem to think clearly when under stress. (The latter fact is well understood and is technique long used to help sway the masses)
When in a real threatening situation, the surge of chemicals will be consumed by the physical reaction, which is important to help the body get back to normal as quickly as possible. However, if your perceived threat is while you are inactive, like sitting on your sofa watching bad news after bad news on TV, then the chemicals are not properly metabolised, which eventually can lead to a dangerous build-up of ‘stress hormones’. There’s a lot of evidence that any accumulation can cause problems, such as high blood pressure and increased susceptibility to a number of chronic conditions. Hence why we all hear stress can be a killer.
Our fight or flight response is built in. We cannot eliminate it. But there are steps we can take to reduce our stress environment and to develop ways to control stress. Meditation and mindfulness are techniques which you can learn from us. Our HeartMath technology is a wonderful and yet simple tool to help teach you how to lower your stress.
Much is common sense. It should be no surprise that it is incredibly important to have a good supporting social network of real friends. In fact, latest research has shown that it is the most important factor in life expectancy.
Take some time to think about what causes you stress. Your job, your relationships, your physical environment. And don’t underestimate the stressful impact that constantly watching, or reading, bad news has on you.
Immunity Boosters
- Daily physical exercise is highly beneficial because it helps reduce the build-up of stress and depression and gets you to a healthier, calmer state.
- Focus on your breathing. This helps switch off the fight or flight response.
- Create a calming environment
- Stop watching constant bad news on TV
If you are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression then we can help.
Call now on 01889 881488. Erica and Jean will be happy to help
Not a month goes by without a number of our patients commenting that they were not aware of all the things we do here and if only they had known they would have booked in sooner.
It’s impossible to list everything we do in this small space and the graphic below only gives a sample. In simple terms, if you have a problem with a muscle, tendon, ligament, spinal disc or joint anywhere in your body, we can help.
If you want to improve your wellness, we can help with that as well. Plus, in todays stressful world, especially with the COVID pandemic, anxiety is a massive problem and we are pleased to be able to help here also.
Here is a list of the treatments we offer:
- Wellness advice
- Anxiety
- GunnIMS—world specialist
dry needling for chronic
& sports pain - Acupuncture
- Physiotherapy
- Sports therapy
- Post op rehab
- Biomechanics &
Bespoke orthotics - Relaxing, sports and
deep tissue massage - Personal training
- Reiki
- Reflexology
If you, or someone you know, is in pain or has suffered an injury, we can help.
Call Now on 01889 881488 and Erica and Jean will be happy to help
We are open throughout the lockdown
2020 will soon be over and for most of us it can’t come to soon. It will be a year that most of us will want to forget and put behind us.
The rapidly approaching Christmas holiday is going to give us exactly that opportunity, a chance to relax, unwind and think of a brighter future without the gloom of a pandemic hanging over us like a dark cloud. The recent announcements of vaccines have certainly had an uplifting effect. When we go out now, we see more smiling faces and more people happy to say hello again. We all know the battle is not yet won, but win it we shall and 2021 will be the year to celebrate this.
So, this Christmas holiday take the time to think of a brighter, sunnier future and as the saying ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ goes, reflect upon what we need to learn and change as we exit the pandemic.
Do you remember seeing the rapid and significant improvements in the air and rivers that took just a few weeks to occur? What a wonderful thing to see and even better, it’s clearly something we can see is in our grasp. It’s a lesson we need our younger generations to take control of to ensure a better future for the planet.
Did this lesson impact our rulers in making the decision to stop the sale of petrol and diesel cars in just 9 years’ time? It has certainly impacted the public’s attitude to electric cars. Forget the politics, just imagine being able to go out without having to taste and smell the pollution, and listen to the noise that engines produce. Fresh, clean air is coming soon, with all the health benefits that brings.
Sadly, some of us will not see this bright new future, having succumbed to the pandemic, a pandemic which has struck down people from all spectrums of life. In the majority of cases the health of the individual has been a contributing factor and we owe it to ourselves and the next generations to respond positively to this knowledge. The good news is that we all instinctively know when something is good or bad for our health and for many it’s just a matter of needing a helping hand to guide us along the right path.
Prevention is always better than cure and that’s why we promote Wellness, which is very much a preventative approach. Certainly, Nicky Snazell’s Clinic has the knowledge and expertise to provide you exactly that kind of help in a simple to understand way. Better health and a stronger immune system are there if you want it.
For Nicky & I, 2020 has certainly been a stressful year, so we are really looking forward to a well-earned break. This year we are going to be closed from 24th December to 1st January inclusive and that’s going to give us and the team a full 11 days to unwind and plan for a better 2021.
For us, we will be cycling out on the Chase most days and with the help of good lighting, some nights as well, adding to the 4,000 miles we have already pedalled this year. The Chase has an extensive hidden history and we are enjoying learning more each time we visit.
We are also going to add a new member to our family next year, this time being a dog and we have already sourced a puppy carrier, so that it can also enjoy our many hours exploring the beauty of the Chase. I’m sure this will create great interest from passers-by.
Animals of course are great therapy and we are going to get an Australian Labradoodle, which are well known to make excellent therapy dogs (who knows, we might add dog therapy to help with anxiety - I’m trying to imagine Erica & Jean booking dog appointments though!) They are also non shedding and great for allergy sufferers, which will be good for Alan. Yesterday we started thinking of names as we cycled. Something unusual for a female dog. Now that’s positive!
So, to all of you, this Christmas think positively about the bright new future that 2021 holds. Plan to take positive steps to ensure you make the most of it.
If you want to improve your health and strengthen your immune system to help defend yourself from future viral attacks, then we can help.
Call now 01889 881488. Erica & Jean will be happy to help.
p.s. Please ask to book with the dog just to wind Erica & Jean up.
COVID-19 has dominated our lives for nearly a year now and while we may be becoming immune to the subject, there are new articles emerging constantly as we learn more about this epidemic, providing important new insights, which we should not ignore.
A recent paper, referenced below, published by physiotherapist Dr Adriaan Louw, written for the medical community, is well researched and gives strong indications of what our post COVID-19 lives may involve. Sadly, it will not just be a matter of getting through the epidemic. For many, there will be significant long term consequences.
The author forecasts a tidal wave of chronic pain, depression and anxiety heading our way.
Here we will translate the paper burdened with medical terminology into something which can be more easily understood by the general public.
SARS
SARS was a coronavirus epidemic and as such, was considered a good place to start to review what happened during and after the epidemic:
- Up to 65% of survivors developed depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias and psychosis.
- Between 25% and 44% of Hong Kong SARS survivors were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 15% experienced depression for at least two and a half years.
It became very clear that SARS showed the importance of the need to treat patients with a broad approach, looking at their physical, mental and general health situation.
Inflammation and Immune System
We will all understand that the strength of our immune system is a key resistor to poor health. Perhaps not so well known will be that our own inflammatory responses are closely linked to our immune system. An acute viral illness, for example, can trigger an inflammatory response that will present as myalgia, fatigue and organ specific symptoms.
These responses can also be long lived. Long term chronic pain is well reported post ICU (intensive care unit), with 40% recording chronic pain up to 4 years later. Another study showed that many experienced persistent difficulties for up to 11 years with mobility (52%), pain/discomfort (57%), normal daily activities (52%) and cognition (43%).
With an immune system already under threat, the immune system will be further challenged with depression, poor sleep and opioid use, all of which suppress the immune system.
Social Aspects
Lockdowns and social isolation have psychological and financial implications and inevitably cause stressors such as fear of illness, future uncertainty and concerns of second waves will only exacerbate this.
Early evidence shows that anxiety and depression and sleep disturbances are common reactions to this pandemic. Sleep deprivation can lead to symptoms virtually indistinguishable from widespread pain, fatigue and diffuse tenderness. While exercise is known to help sleep, our abilities to get the exercise we need has been restricted by the pandemic.
Restrictions on access to regular medical care further adds to the potential downstream consequences expected after COVID-19.
Physical & Emotional Link
It is well known that physical and emotional pain are closely related. Functional MRI studies have shown that physical and emotional pain mapping in the brain overlap by 88%. It is thus very important to accept that thoughts, emotions and physical pain should be considered and treated together as one problem.
Treatment
The evidence suggests that in chronic and complex pain cases, there are likely to also be problems with fear, mood and personality. The indicators are that there will be both an increase in the rate of chronic pain cases and the severity of its impact will have widespread social implications.
It is considered evident that the physiotherapists approach to treating chronic pain must include consideration of social and environmental aspects, including mental aspects, emotional wellbeing, nutritional advice, mindfulness, lifestyle and preventative care.
4 Keys To Health
Many of you will know that our clinic has long promoted an approach to treatment which embraces both physical and social aspects. Nicky Snazell has written five books on this subject and has been invited to speak on over 30 radio stations right across the USA, to promote and educate an alternative to excessive opioid use, long before the COVID-19 pandemic started. The advice is equally important and valid to treating the forecast tidal wave of chronic pain coming.
Nicky’s first book, The 4 Keys To Health, available from Amazon, described an approach which looked at every aspect considered important in this paper:
- Mindset
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle
- Fitness & exercise
A simple traffic light system was included to score patients and provide a preventative road map and pathway to better health. Wellness, or prevention, was naturally incorporated into the service we offered.
Thus, the direction of Nicky Snazell’s Wellness and Physiotherapy Clinic has been solidly towards providing a capability which exactly matches the need as proposed as a vital need by Adriaan Louw.
Summary
Dr Adriaan Louw has provided insightful and well researched evidence to suggest that a tidal wave of chronic pain, depression and anxiety is coming post COVID-19. Treatment, to be effective, will require consideration of physical, social and environmental aspects.
While none of us will have control of the potential size of the tidal wave coming, we do have the opportunity to be properly prepared. At Nicky Snazell’s Clinic, we have already long embraced, taught and learnt the proposed skills that are suggested as vital to win the battle.
If you want to get ahead of the curve and start thinking about prevention as better than cure, then now is the time to talk to us. We can help.
Our clinic has an enviable reputation for treating pain, with patients travelling from far and wide. We have treatment skills at the highest level, combined with a thorough understanding of the importance of treating the whole person.
Call now on 01889 881488. Erica and Jean will be happy to help.
For those who wish to read the full paper, this is the reference:
Letter to the editor: chronic pain tidal wave after COVID-19: are you ready? Adriaan Louw, PT, PhD. PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE, 2020, Vol 36, No 12, 1275 -1278. https//doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2020.1840717
This year we will be closed from Thursday 24th December until Friday 1st January inclusive.
We will reopen on Monday 4th January.
There is bound to be a rush for appointments before Christmas, so don’t leave it for too long before making your appointments to ensure you are ready to enjoy your break.
Call now on 01889 881488. Erica and Jean will be happy to help.
Increasingly, COVID sufferers are experiencing long term pain and debilitation and these consequences are being termed as ‘Long-COVID’
Physiotherapy has been identified as having critical importance in helping treat the upcoming surge of ‘Long- COVID’ pain sufferers. Relief from that pain needs a combination of talking and listening (psychotherapy) to calm the system down, along with hands on treatment and movement and this is exactly what physiotherapy can provide, especially when treated by a physiotherapist skilled in holistic health.
We know that COVID causes an inflammatory storm and an associated wave of pain, which can last months or even years. We also know that stress lowers our immune system, so now more than ever, we see that physiotherapists are essential to the strategy of treatment.
Our ancient Doctors, called Shamans at the time, always knew that the link between mind and body was key to healing. Lo and behold, new research now backs that up. The backstory and meaning to the patients pain is essential to understanding the suffering. Without listening to and understanding the backstory and meaning, the minds’ healing process cannot start.
As an example of the importance of understanding the meaning the injury has to the patient. Take two situations of a broken ankle. To most people a broken ankle is an inconvenience, to a professional ice skater it would be a significant, possibly career ending injury. If the therapist only looks at the physical problem without sharing the emotion, then research shows the patient cannot heal as quickly.
If you feel you are suffering Long-COVID pain, then we can help.
Call now. 01889 881488. Erica and Jean will be happy to help
Exercise. Even the mention of the word usually causes a groan. We all have our reasons, or excuses, for not exercising, but mainly it’s because we can easily imagine the short term pain, but not so easily visualise the long term benefits.
We won’t even try to make it sound like dedicated and consistent exercise is easy, because for it to be of any benefit, you have to put some effort in. Sadly for most, that’s enough to go no further. This is at great personal cost to you later in life though. Make no mistake, It will cost you.
So what are the benefits of exercise?
- Done at the correct level, it’s anti-ageing
- It reduces fat and improves appearance
- It makes you happier
- It’s good for mental health, a natural anti –depressant
- It strengthens muscles, which helps you have a happier and more active life
- Stronger muscles also mean joints move more easily with less pain.
- Correct exercise levels help protect joints from arthritis and strengthen bones to help prevent bone thinning.
- It improves circulation
- It helps prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, strokes and obesity
- It stretches the fascia and helps maintain elasticity, easing movement and reducing pain
- It improves the immune system.
Many of the bad things exercise can help with are on the increase, blighting many lives prematurely. Doctors agree that right now, one of the best ways to help protect yourself from COVID is by getting healthier and fitter. Is this not reason enough alone to start exercising?
We can’t force you to exercise, but we would strongly advise you to make regular exercise a part of your life now, so that you can help yourself have a much better later life and help prevent chronic diseases.
If you want advice on what to do, then we have great Sports Therapists who would be happy to help. Call now on 01889 881488 and Erica or Jean will be happy to help.
We are open throughout the lockdown
The trick with exercise is to link it to something you enjoy doing. Nicky & I have tried different forms of exercise over the years and at one time we were at the gym or pool three times a week. Nicky’s preference was always the pool as she has grew up from a young age loving the water. For me, it was much more exercise equipment in the gym, rather than weights.
Just over a year ago we decided to switch to being outside more and got a couple of bikes to ride on the chase and now that’s a very integral part of our lifestyle, having done over 5000 miles between us exploring every corner of the chase. It’s amazing how much history there is on the chase and a recent book has just been published on the war camps there which gives us the added interest of trying to work where everything was. Of course there is the added benefit of the beauty of the chase, added by the changes of the four seasons.
Call now on 01889 881488 and Erica or Jean will be happy to help.
We are open throughout the lockdown