Does your pain stop you from being able to do everyday activities?

Does your pain stop you from being able to do the exercise you want?

Have you recently or in the past had spinal surgery and not felt like you returned to your normal?

Have you had physiotherapy for back pain in the past with no success?

Do you find benefit from Pilates exercises but feel like you need something more challenging?

If the answer is YES to any of the above questions then the brand new spinal stabilisation class at Lilliput Health is ideal for you!

You will be warmly greeted at the clinic and following a 1:1 assessment by a Chartered Physiotherapist, you will begin the classes at a time convenient to you. You will be entitled to a course of 6 one hour classes as frequently as you so wish.

Alongside the class you will have your own booklet with all the advice, education and exercises explained for you to take home and continue to work at.

We will be running a basic class and an advanced class, so whatever level you require we will be on hand to ensure the class is specific and tailored to your needs and with only 4 people per class, you need not be concerned you won't get the full attention of the chartered physiotherapist.

This is the only class of its kind in the Dorset region and is right on your doorstep!

At an introductory price of only £150 this class is fantastic value for money and includes a 1:1 physiotherapy assessment and 6 hours of class work, totalling 7 hours of treatment as well as a booklet to take home which is yours to keep.

Don't delay - book into the class today as spaces are filling up quickly.

A brilliant, fun-packed evening for all the family:  On offer will be lots of side shows and attractions, including inflatable obstacle course and vintage 1960's cars, as well as the obligatory teachers in the stocks and even an appearance by Hunter from TV's Gladiators!  Entertainment comes in the form of highlights from West Side Story, the Community Choir and music from school pupils.    Food and drink will be on offer, including the famous Pimms tent.This year all money raised will go towards an new school mini bus. 

Provision has even been made for the Football World Cup - plans have been made to show that evenings game on some large screens, so that football plans don't have to miss out on supporting the school! 

Lilliput Health has shown its support by donating a new children's bicycle as a raffle prize - which is very much in keeping with the 'keep fit and look after yourself' ethos at the school and tops off a wonderful line up of prizes.  For more information about this year's Summer Fair, click here.

Alongside the running action was a range of children's activities, events and trade stands.  The Lilliput Health team was on hand offering pre and post race massage from our sports massage therapists, injury advice from our physiotherapists and gait analysis and foot checks from our podiatrist.  Our specialist paediatric physiotherapist was running a junior injury clinic to offer advice to the younger runners.  In addition visitors could chat to one of our chiropractors, a nutritionist and our colon hydrotherapist for advice.

Around 1000 runners took part in the 10k run, and there were some incredibly fast times.  Pictured are Lilliput Health Directors Peter Bloomer (left) and Mark Avern (2nd right) together with the race winners:

Gordon Mugi (far right) who finished first, in 28 minutes, 55 seconds.

Edith Chelimo (2nd left), fastest female, finishing 19th overall in a time of 33 minutes, 58 seconds.

Poole Runners was voted Runners World's best running club in 2008 and organises many running events throughout the year.  For more information about Poole Runners please click here.

Making use of the picturesque open air courtyard, guests enjoyed food and drink courtesy of local caterering company, Alexander Catering.  To start with there were canapes of duck pate and gazpacho shots, then caterer Prince Alexander rustled up a healthy gourmet barbecue of mackerel skewers, aberdeen angus beef burgers and vegetable skewers, followed by fresh fruit skewers with honey mint yoghurt dip.  There were even mini versions available for the younger guests.

Lilliput Health's team of practitioners was on hand throughout the day to chat to guests about everything from hypnotherapy through to sports injuries and there were a variety of taster treatments for guests to try, including sports massage, abdominal massage, gait analysis and nutrition consultations.  An open air gazebo provided the venue for some interesting demonstrations - the chiropractors demonstrated spinal checks, the podiatrist demonstrated foot checks and our specialist paediatric physiotherapist kept the kids busy with some fun and games.

The younger guests were kept entertained by a bouncy castle, giant connect four and other garden games, and a competition to name the parts of the skeleton. 

Alexander Catering also provided the most amazing celebration cake, which had to be seen to be believed.  Despite the huge size of the cake, it didn't hang about for long!

Guests went away with cloth Animal Windfest bags, filled with goodies from companies such as Dorset Tea, Halo's n Horns, Priva and Clarins.

Lilliput Health Director Mark Avern commented on the success of the day: "We were all delighted with Saturday's event, it was successful on a multitude of levels - we were able to thank our existing clients for their business, raise our profile in the local community and reach a lot of potential new clients as well as building on our relationships with several local GPs and surgeons." 

 For more information about Lilliput Health and the therapies on offer, please call the clinic on 01202 725090.

Weight control and dietary issues have become the modern disorder of the western world.  Every day we are faced with images on our TV screens and in our streets of overweight and obese people - and sadly, this applies as much to children as to adults, just at a time when those children should be growing to a pinnacle of physical and mental health.

Often parents are blamed - yet this is a sometimes glib and unmerited answer when those parents may themselves be doing everything they can to fight a losing battle against peer pressure, high budget advertising, fast food outlets and today's "virtual" lifestyle.

the statistics

Obesity worldwide is rapidly increasing, and was recently described by the World Health Organisation as a ‘global epidemic', with more than 300 million obese people recorded in the year 2000. In England around 24 million people are now classed as obese and the figures, which have tripled since the 80s, are still rising.

These figures become more relevant as we discover that, for children in the UK aged between 2-15, as surveyed in the National Child Measurement Programme commissioned by the Department of Health, almost one-third (nearly 3 million) are overweight and approximately 1.5 million of these children are actually obese. More detailed figures from primary schools show that the problem accelerates as they get older, pushing many more through into the obese category.

why does being overweight matter?

Being overweight and, particularly, being obese causes many health problems, both physical and psychological. A short list of physical illnesses associated with weight gain includes:
• Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance,
• Coronary Heart Disease,
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure),
• Osteoarthritis,
• Some Cancers,
• Mechanical problems such as back pain and foot strain,
• and exacerbation of asthma.
The problem may also be a symptom of pre-existing psychological issues and psychological effects include poor self-esteem, being perceived as unattractive, bullying, depression, disordered eating and bulimia. Some of these illnesses become apparent in childhood while others develop in adulthood.

is my child obese?

The physical signs are obvious - a child who looks overly large for its height can loosely be called overweight; however, there are usually other factors to assess before confirming that a child is fundamentally overweight. A simple method to discover if a child is ‘technically' overweight is to use the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. Other telling signs of an overweight child are low self-esteem, poor confidence and a lack of energy, enthusiasm and concentration.

prevention and management of childhood weight issues

Childhood weight issues need to be addressed as a family unit so that any affected child feels properly supported and not singled out. It is an established fact that some parents and carers are just simply unaware of the appropriate portion sizes for their children and find themselves serving up adults' portions, too big for their children to properly metabolise.
Make a start by reviewing your family's eating patterns and then your lifestyle, so you can incorporate methods to change these for everyone, not just the children. For instance; everyone in the household needs to cut down on fatty foods, sweets, fizzy drinks and convenience food. Members of the family should start the day with a nutritious breakfast, and snack on fruit and vegetables in between regular balanced meals throughout the day.
Make sure you build in plenty of physical activity to your weekly routine - ideally containing at least sixty minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Walking, swimming, and bike rides rather than hours spent on electronic games and gadgets.

the eatwell plate

Government advice as presented by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is that everyone over the age of five should eat a healthy, balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and starchy foods. Pictorially this can be shown by the FSA's "eatwell plate".

specialist help & guidance

Carolyn Leigh is a registered Weight Aware Practitioner. She holds a BSc degree in Clinical Nutrition. As a registered professional Carolyn will arrange to meet with you and your child to explore & uncover any underlying health issues which are stopping your child from attaining a healthy weight balance. Once diagnosis has concluded, the plan of proposed Treatment will include healthy eating meal planners which are appropriate to the age, size and health of your loved one. Food supplements which provide additional vitamin and mineral support that may benefit your child & their development may also be advised. In real terms meeting Carolyn for just a few sessions may just allow you to make substantial headway towards helping to conquer your child's obesity and weight issues.

Contact the clinic to make an appointment on 01202 725090.

The race is a 25km race from Villajoyosa past Benidorm then coming back towards Villajoyosa via Benidorm Island.  Chloe says "There was a bit of a headwind going up to the turn buoy, so I conserved a bit of energy by slip riding. When we got to the turning point the wind started to die down, always the way. There were still a few waves to catch on the way back, but to be honest there was not much help out there. As soon as I got to the Island I decided to put the hammer down, 6km to the end!! I caught the pack of guys in front me by the time we only had about 1.5km to go and hung in there. Crossing the finishing was a great feeling and then to hear I had finished 3rd Lady was even better."

"My race had gone to plan, the training out in South Africa has definitely paid off as well as all the training programs I have received from Glenn at Ocean Sports UK. I feel its the start of things to come."

For a full list of results, go to www.surfski.info

Next on the tour is the first of the British Surfski Series Races in Rhoose, Wales. There are four races and all four count towards your overall points for the Series.  September is the British Surfski Champs which will be held in Bournemouth.  Then the main event in Dubai in December, which is the Dubai Shamaal.  This will be the biggest test and Chloe will aiming for a podium position there!!

Other typical symptoms are:

• excess wind
• feeling sick
• indigestion
• backache
• tiredness
• fullness
• bladder problems
• bloating
• irregular bowel movements

There is no known cause of IBS.  Some sufferers find their symptoms are worsened by eating, and there may be particular foods that aggravate their condition. Psychological factors such as stress can also trigger symptoms.  This can be a result of anxieties, exams, relationship difficulties, or life events such as divorce, bereavement or marriage.  Indeed many sufferers first develop the condition during or after a stressful period in their life.

Even though there is no specific cure for IBS, lifestyle and dietary changes may help.  Food intolerance testing is a great tool to use to help people adjust their dietary habits and be more aware of what the body finds difficult to digest.

Colon Hydrotherapy is also known to help relieve IBS symptoms.  Warm water is introduced to the colon so the bowel becomes relaxed and hydrated. Any hardened faecal matter that has become stuck within the bowel and possibly attached to the bowel lining is gently expelled, leaving you feeling clean, fresh and well.

Robyn Powell graduated with distinction in Colon Hydrotherapy from the nationally renowned Chi Centre in Maidenhead and is a registered member of the Global Professional Association for Colon Therapy.

For more information about Colon Hydrotherapy, contact Lilliput Health on 01202 725090.

Acupuncture has been used in the treatment of infertility in China for centuries. It is safe, effective and has a long and successful history in reproductive medicine. It may help boost fertility and may also help to prepare the body for conception and pregnancy generally.  Recent research by the University of Southampton and the Princess Anne Hospital also shows that IVF success rates are improved for women undergoing acupuncture treatment.  Gary Hussey regularly treats patients, both male and female, who are trying to conceive.

What can cause infertility and how can acupuncture help?

In women, there can be different causes of infertility, some of which may be successfully treated with acupuncture. 

Hormonal imbalance is thought to be frequent contributors to fertility problems and the aim of treatment is to regulate and harmonise the menstrual cycle.  In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is routinely used as it may help boost fertility by stimulating the reproductive organs and ensuring that the energy pathways that connect the uterus and ovaries are functioning properly, thus supporting the ovulation process. 

Acupuncture may also help increase the blood flow to the uterus to help thicken the endometrium, essential for successful implantation.

Stress can also be a factor which hinders couples conceiving, a problem that is often made worse when facing fertility problems. As well as balancing hormones, research shows that acupuncture may help relieve stress and help the body to relax, restoring emotional balance generally.

Finally, Gary has found that women experiencing fertility problems, often have an excess of toxins in the body.  For example, hormones from the contraceptive pill, or medications such as antibiotics, can remain in the body and may upset the balance in the reproductive system.

Acupuncture is also increasingly seen as a last vestige of hope in the area of male infertility. Sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology may be improved using acupuncture.  Today, this means that acupuncture may provide a natural, non-invasive way to enhance men's and women's fertility, virility and vitality.  

Acupuncture is an extremely versatile therapy, suitable for treating many conditions.  For more information please contact Gary Hussey at Lilliput Health on 01202 725090.

The fluid in the joint is called synovial fluid, and it may be possible to directly stimulate the production of this fluid by using acupuncture, regardless of where the arthritis is in the body. By increasing the amount of fluid in the joint, it may be possible to prevent the cartilage from rubbing together, therefore eliminating the pain and inflammation.  The fluid may be stimulated by using two or three needles in the body that are usually nowhere near the arthritic joint/s, they are retained for 20 minutes, during which time the patient relaxes. Treatment at first is every two weeks and after some improvement the patient only needs to come for monthly visits.  As and when the arthritic pain is resolved it is then recommended to have four sessions a year help prevent the synovial fluid from becoming deficient again.

Acupuncture is an extremely versatile therapy, suitable for treating many conditions.  For more information please contact Gary Hussey at Lilliput Health on 01202 725090.

Bloating after eating certain foods	Abdominal pains
Constipation	Brain fog
Fatigue	Diarrhoea
Headaches	Malabsorption
Migraines	IBS
Anxiety	Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Depression	Hyperactivity
Arthritis	Water retention
Aches and pains	Sinusitis
Bed wetting	Nausea
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	Weight control issues
Insomnia	Eczema
Asthma	Acne
Loss of appetite	Fybromyalgia
Respiratory symptoms

Food intolerances can produce a wide mixture of symptoms and it is this which makes it hard to diagnose.  Those affected may have multiple symptoms and often spend years suffering with poor health.

What is a food intolerance?

Food intolerance is not to be confused with an allergic reaction.  In the case of an allergic reaction the symptoms are acute and can be life threatening.  The body's immune system mistakes a food for an 'invader', often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes.  In contrast food intolerances don't tend to be life threatening and produce delayed onset symptoms - i.e. they can take hours or even days to begin. It is this that makes it hard and time consuming to identify exactly which foods a person is intolerant to without a scientific test.

Food intolerances are due to the body's inability to fully process a particular food.  There are many reasons for this, some are caused by an enzyme deficiency or chemical sensitivity, while others are associated with an immune response related to food specific antibodies called IgG antibodies.  These IgG antibodies recognise and bind to specific food proteins to form immune complexes in the body.  These can accumulate in joints and other organs where they cause inflammation and many of the symptoms associated with food intolerance. 

Food intolerance tests work by detecting raised IgG antibodies.  By identifying the foods that will cause a reaction it can remove any guess work of elimination diets and speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances.

First Step Food Intolerance Test

If you think you may by intolerant to certain foods a good place to start is with a First Step Food Intolerance test.  This involves a simple pin-prick blood test which is sent away to the laboratory. The results will then show whether the sample tested positive or negative. If the result is positive you then have the option to upgrade to one of the larger tests that test either  40, 60, 120 or 200+ different types of food.  The results are available in about 10 working days. Once these problem foods have been identified, you will receive a tailor made printout of the results and comprehensive aftercare support from your nutritionist to aid dietary management. 

Manjula Coté is offering the First Step Food Intolerance Test FREE until the end of March 2010.  The upgraded tests, if you require one, vary in price depending on how many foods you have tested.  If your test does come back positive Manjula will recommend an upgrade to suit your budget.

It is reported that over 75% of people enjoy relief of their symptoms as a result of acting on their test. 

Manjula Coté (BA Hons, DNN, FNTP, ITEC) is an experienced Nutritionist, Nutri-Energetics Systems practitioner and Massage therapist.  For more information or to book a consultation please call Lilliput Health on 01202 725090 or Contact us.

• IBS, Crohns disease, Diverticulitis, Bloating or other ongoing digestive problems?

• Infertility, menopausal problems, PCOS, endometriosis, osteoporosis or skin problems?

Are you always tired but you don't know why?

Then look no further! Functional laboratory testing provides a thorough analysis & diagnostic proof of your medical condition.

Carolyn Leigh, BSc. N. Med, BANT, NTCC is a Clinical Nutritionist at Lilliput Health and is fully qualified to undertake a total analysis and report on your test results. A plan of treatment will then be agreed to treat any underlying medical conditions which are discovered through testing.  

There is a maze of different types of tests on the market, and choosing which is right for you can be very confusing without professional guidance.  Many of the tests that are on offer can be inaccurate and give dangerously misleading results.  Carolyn uses only fully accredited medical laboratories, which are certified & overseen in both the United Kingdom & the United States under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA).  She also chooses to use those laboratories with the highest standards of quality and excellence such as Genova diagnostics. 

A sample of Laboratory Tests which are offered include:

• Food Allergy/Intolerance Testing
• Osteoporosis Screening
• Chronic Fatigue Screen
• IB Status
• Parasite Screening
• Candida Screening
• Heavy Metals Testing
• Epstein Bar Virus Profile
• Full Hormone Panel Testing (Female & Male)
• Comprehensive Cardio-Vascular Assessment
• Thyroid Function Testing
• Liver Check
• Allergy check
• Homocysteine Test
• Body ID Plan

Laboratory testing is not as expensive as you might imagine.  A food allergy test, testing for 40 different foods, costs just £97.

Genova Diagnostics are recognised by many Health Insurance Companies, and with a GP referral or a referral from our registered Clinical Nutritionist Carolyn Leigh, it may be possible to claim on  your Insurance policy for laboratory testing .

Book an appointment with Carolyn today to find out how functional medical laboratory testing could be your path to preventative and restorative health.  Call the clinic on 01202 725090 or email us.

Detox is abbreviation of detoxification.   This is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body - a necessary function our bodies naturally perform to keep our system free of poison.  The body has an amazing ability to cleanse itself, but every day our body is bombarded with toxins from such places as:

• Processed foods
• Alcohol
• Damaged fats
• Environmental pollutants
• Household cleaning products
• Food additives & preservatives
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceutical residue

After the festive period, when we may have indulged a little too much, the natural routes of elimination can become quickly overwhelmed.  When this happens, you may need to give the body a helping hand by undertaking a detox programme to aid cleansing the body.

Some signs that your body is not cleansing efficiently include:

• Lethargy
• Body odour
• Foul smelling stools
• Bad breath
• Poor digestion
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Poor appetite
• Insomnia
• Obesity
• Joint pains
• Skin problems

 At times, especially after the festive period, when we have self indulged a little too much we may need to aid cleansing the body, begin the removal of accumulated toxins and unwanted waste.

What are the benefits of detox?

A detox can leave you with glowing skin, a clean smelling body, efficient digestion with regular bowel movements, improved sleep, mental clarity, increased energy and a cleansed bloodstream, liver and kidneys.

A detox can also be an excellent prelude to a weight management or lifestyle transformation system.

How to undertake a detox...

There are many ways to undertake a detox, and it is important to remember that there is no such thing as a detox to suit all.  A detox is personal choice and it is important to adopt a programme that suits your individual needs.

 It is advisable to consult a nutritionist who will take a full case history and help you determine the best way forward.  Manjula Coté is an experienced nutritionist who will devise a personalised detox programme for you and will carefully monitor your progress to ensure that you cleanse your body at a comfortable pace.

An intensive course of Colon Hydrotherapy (3 treatments in a 2 week period) can really help kick start and compliment a detox diet. 

Colon Hydrotherapy can aid removal of waste and toxic burden.  This is a simple procedure that introduces water to the colon and bowel, exercising and toning the bowel, thus aiding the evacuation of waste both during and after treatment.  Colon Hydrotherapy reduces the toxic load on the body and makes the bowel better able to absorb nutrients.  Robyn Powell is a Colon Hydrotherapist, and also trained in abdominal massage which can be used in conjunction with or instead of colon hydrotherapy. 

 If the festive period has left you feeling sluggish and unhealthy and you would like better skin, more energy and improved digestion, contact Manjula and Robyn at Lilliput Health for your personalised detox programme. 

For the months of January and February 2010, Lilliput Health has some tempting offers to help you on the path to a healthier and more energetic you.  

Call Lilliput Health on 01202 725090 to make an appointment or for more information.

Exercise is a great stress buster as we know but if you don't feel that you have time, even a 10 minute brisk walk can help. If anything is on your mind stopping you from getting to sleep, simply writing it down can help the brain to process it and ''put it away'' until it is needed again.

2 Simple techniques to help you de-stress and relax

WHEN YOU FEEL YOURSELF GETTING UPSET OR ANXIETY RISING... put the palm of your hand flat against your tummy.  Take a slow (count to 5) deep breath in through the nose, hold for 3 seconds (counting in your mind) and then breathe out slowly again, but through the mouth.  Repeat this at least 4 times or as required.  Notice how much calmer you already begin to feel.  Use this any time, anywhere!

The next technique must be done only when you can relax completely and quietly, but done regularly it enhances feelings of calm and peace.  Before you go to sleep at night is a great time.

In a quiet and slow paced voice in your head, say to yourself, with breaks of 2 to 3 seconds between each instruction:

Now I relax my eyes (close them )..... now I relax my eyebrows..... now I relax my jaw..... now I relax my tongue..... now I relax my neck..... now I relax my shoulders..... now I relax my arms..... now I relax my chest..... now I relax my stomach..... now I relax my thighs..... now I relax the fronts of my knees..... the backs of my knees..... now I relax my calves..... now I relax my ankles..... now I relax my toes......

 Pause for a few moments..... notice the feelings of relaxation..... notice the slowing rhythm of your breathing..... and go through the whole process again if you need or want to.  This seems a very simple technique but I can assure you that the more your practise it the more you will realise its benefits.  It is also used regularly at the start of a hypnotherapy session for relaxation.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help With Stress

If problems seem overwhelming and you are not sure where to start in dealing with them, then hypnotherapy can be a great source of help and guidance.  We all worry and have certain levels of stress but when this becomes excessive, the mind is overdoing its job and causing the body and mind harm.  Solution based Hypnotherapy can give you the tools to take control of your own life and wellbeing.  It can help you redefine problems as challenges, and working with your subconscious mind can help you find answers, always using positivity to help you make changes.  It gives you the motivation to find solutions as the subconscious becomes trained to block negativity, enabling it to make positive progress with any issues. 

Hypnotherapy can help remove blockages that may be stopping you from moving forward in life as well as building confidence and self esteem.  The mind is train ed to shift from the negative to the positive, having an overall benefit to body and mind.

Sara Agombar trained for 3 years to Practitioner level with the highly recognised London College of Clinical Hypnosis. She is also a Full Member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and works in accordance with their high ethical code of conduct.  To find out more about the many benefits of hypnotherapy, contact the clinic on 01202 725090.

Peter says, “There have been huge developments in many aspects of golf fitness in recent years. Golfers of all levels are now finally thinking about optimising their physical capacity in order to play their best possible golf. I guess we have the likes of Tiger to thank for that, running 5 miles in the morning before the final round in a major, but that is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“A typical golf fitness regime consists of many facets, including flexibility, strength, conditioning, core stability, rotational strength and power and general cardiovascular fitness. A combination of all of these factors helps keep the elite players injury free, consistent through the swing and capable of achieving tremendous distances off the tee"

“There is a huge correlation between trunk flexibility, rotational power and driving distance achieved, it is great to see the improvement even some of the top guys can make by working particular muscles in a particular way.”

“Ideally each golfer will undertake a full physical screening, looking at all of the major joints and muscles, considering flexibility, strength and control. This is then compared to what is considered the optimum for golf, and an exercise and physiotherapy programme is set to help them achieve their goals. Previous injuries and posture are also considered, highlighting areas for potential injury in the future, so preventative measures can also be taken.”

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what level of golf you play, there is always an element of your physical self that can be improved which should have a positive impact on your golf. Obviously it is only one aspect of numerous factors in order to become a good golfer, but if you are hungry for success it is imperative to give your physical condition ample thought, effort and time in order to achieve an advantage over your competitors.”

“We think nothing of spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on new equipment each season, which may just generate an extra 10 or 20 yards off the tee, but if working on certain exercises for a few weeks will generate an extra 30 to 50 yards, costing only time and effort, on the back of a gym programme you may already be doing it seems like the proverbial no-brainer.”

 Featured in "On Par" Magazine

To find out more about improving your performance on the golf course contact the Physiotherapy team at Lilliput Health on 01202 725090.

The Senior Mens and Ladies had a great line up. Ivan Lawler, Mark Ressel and Dan Humble all looking for a win and a good dice was on the cards between Jenna Hawkey and Chloe Bunnett. The mens course was 14km and the Ladies 10km. The course was a triangular route out towards Old Harry then turning and heading towards Alum Chine and back into Sandbanks, the Senior Men did a further 4km out to a bouy towards Old Harry and then into Sandbanks. Ivan Lawler eased through to take the mens title and Jenna Hawkey took the Ladies title with Chloe Bunnett only 2 minutes behind in second. Jenna and Chloe carried on to do the 14km and both finished in the top 10 amongst the men.

Chloe will be racing again this Sunday in the Poole Harbour Canoe race so more news to follow.....

To view a video clip of the race click here.

1. Trauma due to Sprain or Contusion
2. Invasion of External Wind /Cold / Damp and
3. Deficiency of Kidney Qi (energy)

1. Trauma due to Sprain or Contusion

Trauma may cause injury of Qi and Blood in the body's energy channels; this leads to stagnation of Blood and Qi and that stagnation causes pain.  There is often a history of back sprain in the lumbar area, rigidity and pain which is fixed in a certain area, is made worse by pressure or by turning the body. The patient's tongue is purple and their pulse is wiry, reflecting pain, and hesitant, reflecting stasis of Blood.

2. Invasion of External Wind/ Cold / Damp

In this case,low back pain is due to obstruction in the energy channels by damp and cold, disrupting the free flow of Qi. Stagnation of Qi and Blood becomes worse on cloudy and rainy days and so does the pain. It may be caused by living in cold, damp places, exposure to rain or wading in water or being drenched in sweat. This condition commonly appears up and down the coast amongst windsurfers, fishermen and the sailing fraternity. It is characterised by a heavy sensation and stiffness of the muscles in the area of the lower back, limitation of extension and flexion of the back, pain radiating downwards to the buttocks and lower limbs and a coldness over the area.  The patient’s tongue coat will be white and sticky, reflecting damp trapped in the system with a deep, weak or deep and slow pulse, reflecting cold.

3. Deficiency of Kidney Qi

In this case, low back pain is often caused by excessive sexual activity that consumes the Essence and Qi resulting in poor nourishment of the energy channels in the lumbar region. It can also be seen in the senior population, whose Qi and Essence naturally wanes with advancing years. This condition has an insidious onset of longstanding pain and soreness with lassitude and weakness of the loins and knees: it is aggravated by activity and alleviated by bedrest. If the patient is suffering from Kidney Yang Deficiency, typically they will show symptoms of pallor, feeling the cold, lack of strength and drive: their tongue will be pale and wet and their pulse deep and slow. If the patient is suffering from Kidney Yin Deficiency, they will have symptoms of insomnia, irritability, dry mouth and throat, flushed face, sometimes hot palms, chest and soles. Their tongue will be red, without the normal coat and their pulse will be thready and weak or thready and rapid.

Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of hair-fine needles in appropriate acupoints once a differential diagnosis has been made. The action of the needles will move Qi and Blood to expel pathogenic factors where necessary and strengthen Qi. Sometimes electro-acupuncture is used, as well as other techniques such as magnets, cupping therapy or moxibustion (warming the channels by burning a herb on the needle). Pain is dispersed by removing obstructions in the channels, activating Qi and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers.

Your GP can now recommend a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over a period of up to 12 weeks.

Read more about our acupuncturist, Noelle Ayers-Morgan.

Fortunately, most people find that their back pain will subside after a few days or weeks, but if you are still suffering after 6 weeks your GP may discuss possible treatments with you.

NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) is the independent body that advises NHS doctors on best clinical practice has recently officially endorsed complimentary therapies for the first time by recommending acupuncture and manual therapy (such as chiropractic) as the first line treatments for those with persistent non-specific low back pain.

Your GP can now recommend a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over a period of up to 12 weeks.

So just how does acupuncture help? Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of hair-fine needles in appropriate acupoints which will move the Qi (energy) and blood to expel pathogenic factors where necessary and strengthen Qi. Pain is dispersed by removing obstructions in the channels and activating Qi, as well as stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.  For more information on acupuncture and low back pain click here.

Your GP can now recommend a course of chiropractic treatment to help relieve your low back pain. 

So how will a chiropractor help with low back pain?  Chiropractic treatment is based on the concept that restricted movement in the spine may lead to pain and reduced function.  Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy chiropractors use to treat restricted spinal mobility.  The goal is to restore spinal movement and, as a result, improve function and decrease back pain.  During an adjustment, chiropractors use their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint - pushing it beyond its normal range of motion.  The joint's movement may be accompanied by a popping or cracking sounds, this is just a release of gas bubbles in the joint, and is much like opening a can of fizzy drink!

Chiropractors may also use massage and stretching to relax muscles that are shortened or in spasm.  Many use additional treatments as well, such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and exercises.  It is recommended that chiropractic care is continued after the pain has subsided to ensure optimum functioning of the spine and to prevent future recurrence of the problem.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING LOW BACK PAIN

A little care and attention can help you keep back pain at bay. Maintain a healthy weight.  Exercise regularly. Sit up straight.  When you lift something heavy let your legs do the work.  Avoid activities that involve repetitive bending or twisting.  If you sit or stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to walk around.

Pain is a warning signal indicating underlying damage.  Don't let pain become part of your everyday life, call the clinic today on 01202 725090 to discuss how Lilliput Health's acupuncturist and chiropractors can help you.  

Being overweight has huge health implications – including risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, depression, joint problems and low energy not to mention the cosmetic factor – we all feel happier and more confident when we are at our ideal weight and we want to maintain it year round.

Manjula Coté, Nutritionist at Lilliput Health, has identified that the key to weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight is:

• Eating tasty nutritional food
• Attitude and motivation
• Stress busting techniques for body and mind and
• Exercise

Manjula says: “Using state of the art Nutri-EnergeticsTM equipment I get a comprehensive report on a multitude of factors that affect well-being, including nutritional status, body organs, nervous systems and joint tissues among others. I can then devise a personalised treatment plan with varied weekly diet menus. This four week program is enough for my clients to start towards reaching their weight loss goals and establish good eating habits which are easy to maintain themselves long term. The weekly support group is invaluable to share progress and ideas and keep up the motiviation, plus I see clients for a monthly follow up for as long as they wish.”

If it works for celebrities…

It is crucial to understand that the key to losing weight and keeping it off is making long term lifestyle changes and seeing that there are no quick fixes. Lily Allen, Sophie Dahl and Sarah Ferguson to name a few have all successfully used hypnotherapy to lose weight and stay motivated about their new eating plan. Bringing the celebrity treatment to Sandbanks, Clinic Hypnotherapist Sara Agombar says: “Hypnotherapy can help rid you of unhealthy cravings and remotivate you if you are struggling.” Using this treatment as part of the overall health MOT helps clients to embrace their new lifestyle.

It is no secret that exercise enhances any eating plan when you are trying to shed pounds. Lilliput Health’s Director and exercise professional Mark Avern points out that simply by increasing your lean muscle through exercise you drastically improve your metabolism. Mark adds: “By increasing your metabolism you are basically increasing the rate at which your body burns fat, so you can lose pounds even when you’re not exercising!”

In some cases injuries and ailments may be holding people back from achieving their own body goals. Since Lilliput Health is home to a team of experienced physiotherapists, chiropractors and sports massage therapists, any niggling or persistent issues can be treated as part of a full body health overhaul, ensuring that each client is fit and healthy to reach their weight loss goals. To get more information on the Lilliput Health Natural Weight loss programme give the Clinic a call on 01202 725 090.