There is so much fear, loss of confidence and hopelessness associated with chronic pain, but when we look at the greater picture of all the issues involved, we can begin to unpick the contributing factors and address some of the unhelpful language, assumptions and outdated protocols. Professor Peter O’Sullivan (Physio and educator) has identified 10 myths of back pain, and I would like to take each one in turn and give a constructive alternative to put you back in the driving seat ..read more

Symptoms may be showing up in one particular area of the body, but we look at the whole of you, because everything in the body is connected, including the mind, and sometimes the cause of a symptom in one place is actually due to an imbalance somewhere else entirely ..read more

As environmental awareness grows, the month of July has become synonymous with the global movement “Plastic Free July.” This initiative encourages individuals and communities to reduce their reliance on plastic, not only to combat pollution but also to address the lesser-known but significant health risks associated with plastic usage. Among these risks, hormone disruption is a pressing concern that warrants our attention. Plastics contain chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These substances are known as endocrine disruptors because they can interfere with the body’s hormonal s ..read more

Touch is important – from the smallest touch on someone’s arm when you ask how they are to a full-on full body massage.   Studies have found that people who engage in regular physical touch are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, as human touch lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels (cortisol being the stress hormone).  It can also trigger the release of oxytocin, the hormone which, amongst other things, promotes emotional bonding to others.  It can also help with relaxation, trust, security and self-esteem.   However, not all people like to be ..read more

I grew up in the Brecon Beacons in Wales as the eldest of four children and my childhood mainly centred around horses and being outdoors. After university I moved to London where I spent 18 brilliant years working in the city, but in 2007 my husband and I relocated to his home county of Wiltshire as we wanted a country childhood similar to both our own for our two children.   My interest in nutrition began after my daughter was born as, like any new parent, I wanted to feed her in the best way I possibly could. But it was a diagnosis of post-partum hypothyroidism after the birth of my son ..read more

Look up ?. Where you look your head will follow. When the eye line is lifted to the horizon, the head comes up. When you’re looking down, the weight of the head is very heavy. This pulls the centre of gravity forwards of the body. The knock on effect through the body is profound and very influential on the stresses, strains and potential injury risk of running. Running is not bad for you and it’s categorically not bad for your knees, but how you run will determine the potential for injury. Running and walking with the head down or forwards of the body shifts the centre of gravity forwards. To ..read more

Foundational Movement Patterns and why we mustn’t lose them   The movements of our bodies can be broken down into one or more of the following categories:   Locomotion Hinging Squatting Pushing Pulling Rotation Counter rotation   If any one of these categories decline, our bodies can no longer create the same movements as before. For example walking is not just locomotion, but also spinal rotation which allows for the hips and ribs to turn. The hips turn one way, the ribs the other - so both rotation and counter rotation are needed. In order to sit down without assistance, you w ..read more

When your back ‘goes’ it can feel extremely painful and often very scary. It can make you catch your breath with sharp spasms, feel bent forward or lopsided, and can often leave you sleep deprived and anxious. These symptoms are all cues and signals from the body, telling you how to move, sit or stand to help off-load the affected structures, and to encourage you to change movement and behaviour patterns. What can I do? Less than 1 in 100 people with back pain have symptoms that need urgent medical attention, but if you have any of these ‘red flag’ symptoms, get in touch with your GP surgery ..read more

One of the most familiar customs that accompanies Easter is the giving and receiving of chocolate. And while most of us find the allure of chocolate irresistible, it’s common to feel a twinge of guilt after indulging. But the good news is that chocolate can be a delicious, and even healthy addition to a balanced diet, but just watch out for the type of chocolate that you choose to eat. Where does chocolate come from? Chocolate originates from the beans of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree, a name which translates to “food of the Gods”. Cocoa (or cacao) beans develop their unique flavour profil ..read more

 What did you think of? Let me guess… Standing? You’re on the right lines, but the reality is, you have just swapped one static position for another. Neither of which is ideal for long periods when we consider the setting of an office or in the home. The opposite of sitting is when you actually reverse the flexion of the spine, hip, knee and ankle, open and lengthen the body and take it into extension through movement. And what is this special movement that is the opposite of sitting? Its walking! Walking reverses the effects of sitting by, not just taking the joints to a neutral position ..read more