Author: LeamingtonOsteopaths

Neuromuscular Re-education (NMR) for the Neck and Shoulder

I have recently completed an intensive course on deep myofascial/muscular massage for the neck, shoulder and scapular (shoulder blade) region.

Although no therapy is ever 100% successful, I have been quite pleased with the results in reducing pain and improving mobility in the shoulder so far, particularly in those of my patients where I felt that we had hit a plateau, and had ceased to make further improvements.

It is certainly not a treatment for the faint hearted; deep soft tissue work, particularly on chronically tight, painful shoulders can be uncomfortable, as fibrotic muscle is very sensitive to work on.

It is imperative that the patient feels in control of the treatment and can say if it is becoming uncomfortable or too painful for them.  Even if the area is very sensitive, the treatment can be adjusted to work within a patient’s comfort zone, although some stiffness and soreness can occur for 24-48 hours after treatment – I know it did on me.

In some ways this takes me back to my student days, when I had severe back and neck pain and was treated by a local Osteopath who had studied under Ida Rolf.  Rolfing, is a total body, deep soft tissue treatment, very popular in the 1970’s.  It certainly cured me, and I remained out of pain for many years, although decades of Osteopathy – and Morris dancing – have finally taken their toll on my shoulders and knees!  I know that, for me, deep work on tight fibrotic muscles can be very effective and long lasting.

I will be introducing NMR alongside my Neil-Asher shoulder work, as I feel these complement each other well, and will be monitoring the patients who have opted for this treatment, to see if their response bears out the NMR claims, and my own experience.

Watch this space!

Are you prepared for winter?

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that the body can make for itself. It is made when the sun acts on uncovered skin – even a low SPF sun cream will prevent vitamin D production.

Vitamin D can be found in small amounts in oily fish, egg yolks and cheese, but this can only provide about 10% of your body’s requirements. To get enough vitamin D without sunshine you have to take supplements.

Since the widespread use of sun creams on children, the incidence of rickets has increased seven-fold in Warwickshire, which is why the Government Health Department has advised that all children under 5 years take vitamin D supplements to prevent rickets. Gov.UK Website

The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults are sometimes vague and can include tiredness and general aches and pains.  Severe vitamin D deficiency can cause osteomalacia which causes pain and weakness in your bones, especially in the spine and hips. This can cause stiffness and difficulty climbing stairs or getting up out of a chair. You may also be susceptible to frequent infections. This is why people often feel so much better in the sunshine; you can make over 10,000 IUs of vitamin D in just 15-20 minutes of unprotected summer sunshine.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a number of diseases including:

• Rickets in children
• Osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Asthma
• Breast cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Hypertension
• Depression
• And many more

If you are concerned that you might be vitamin D deficient and would like to have your blood vitamin D levels tested, The Osteopathic Practice has vitamin D testing kits for £25.00

It is a simple pin-prick test and the small spots of blood are sent to the Central Hospital Birmingham to be assessed: the results are accepted by all GP practices.

Please telephone the practice on 01926 335932 if you would like a private blood testing kit. We are happy to do the test here at the practice if you would prefer, and we can post it to the hospital for you.

For more information about vitamin D, and up to date news on the latest research please visit The Vitamin D Council website