Give Yourself a Gift
Chiropractors at The Centre for Positive Health are urging people to save the very best Christmas present for themselves – the gift of good health.
Dr Tom Gwilliam, from the clinic in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, said the Christmas holidays were a chance for most people to enjoy themselves and over-indulge.
“But after all the stressful preparation, with the shopping, wrapping presents, maybe travelling to see relatives, it’s important you give your body chance to take a break.
“Once the Big Day itself arrives, most of us indulge in rich food and drink, and the celebrations of Christmas and New Year can feel like an endurance test – but it doesn’t have to be like that.”
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Dr Gwilliam said there was no reason why everyone shouldn’t enjoy the festive season, without pushing their body to the limit.
“To keep yourself healthy, it’s important to look at the sum total of everything you eat, drink and breathe, combined with the way you think and exercise.
“All these factors add up to affect your overall health, and although your body will struggle on for a while, as soon as the load is too much, your health will break down.
“Keep an eye on your alcohol and cigarette smoke intake, and look at the amount and quality of exercise and sleep you are getting – get some fresh air during the daylight hours, and wrap yourself up warm for a good walk in the outdoors.”
But Dr Gwilliam said there were steps to take if you did over-indulge during the festive season.
“If you have a hangover, drink lots of water before you go to bed, as dehydration is a major cause of hangover symptoms. Once you get up, you should eat as soon as you can face it, and drink plenty of liquid throughout the day – but stick to the non-alcoholic options!
“Taking care of your health could be the very best Christmas present you ever receive – and you’ll enjoy a happier and healthier Christmas for it!”
ENDS/Give Yourself a Gift
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com
Arthritis Case Study - Explore all the options
Shropshire arthritis sufferers should explore all the options when it comes to managing their pain, according to a local chiropractor.
Dr Hayley White, of The Chiropractic Clinic, in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, said painkillers were not the only solution when it came to easing troublesome symptoms.
“Chiropractic treatment can play a key role in supporting people suffering from arthritis, and an effective, focused treatment programme can work well alongside more traditional forms of pain relief.”
Dr White said an example of a successful approach was the case of a 65-year-old retired female patient who came to the clinic with a two-year history of pain in her knee.
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“Her pain had increased significantly in the last two months, and appeared to begin with no real cause. She had previously been to her GP who referred her for an x-ray which showed signs of arthritis, and so she was prescribed painkillers.
“But the pain was getting worse and so she decided to seek chiropractic help. An examination showed that her knee pains were actually the result of a bad alignment of the joints and muscles in her lower back and pelvis.
“So we worked on restoring these to their correct position, and when she returned for her second treatment, she was walking so much more easily that she didn’t feel the need to use her walking stick.
“We still needed to do more work on the alignment of her pelvis to prevent her knee pain returning, and as she has been diagnosed with arthritis, this does mean she’s more likely to have problems in the future.
“But part of our treatment plan has been to give her advice on how to stretch her leg and lower back/pelvic muscles to help keep all her muscles and joints working as they should be.
“She now attends the clinic every three months to check the function of her joints and muscles to help keep her problems at bay.
“Chiropractic treatment is the third largest primary healthcare profession in the western world, after traditional medicine and dentistry, and we can offer help to an extremely wide range of people – it’s important that patients don’t suffer unnecessarily when help is available.”
ENDS/Chiro arthritis case study/October 19, 2007
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com
Helping hand for patients
New patients at a Telford clinic are set to receive an easy-to-follow information pack on the treatment they can expect.
The team at The Chiropractic Clinic, in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, has launched a new series of VIP Patient Information Packs, to help patients get a clearer idea of what the treatment involves.
Dr Tom Gwilliam, for the clinic, said: “We have designed the pack to bring together all the information that we give to our patients when they first start attending the clinic.
“There is a lot of information to take in, and we wanted to make sure the patients had enough background information to take home and read at their own pace.”
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Dr Gwilliam said the launch of the VIP packs was part of an ongoing process which had also seen the clinic relaunch its website, prepare new leaflets and brochures, and review its admissions paperwork.
“The aim of this programme of change is to make everything easier for our patients to understand, and more streamlined in terms of the administration work our team needs to carry out.
“The VIP patient packs will contain explanatory leaflets about the condition the patient is suffering from, as well as more information about chiropractic and the benefits it can bring.
“They are also a great way for parents to share the information with their family and friends when they get home, and to help explain just what people can expect when they come to us for treatment.
“Chiropractic treatment is the third largest primary healthcare profession in the western world, after traditional medicine and dentistry, and yet many people are unaware of the difference it can make to their lives.
“We hope the information packs will help patients to spread the word about the kind of treatment they are receiving, and that they will help them keep all the documentation they need in one place, so they can refer to it whenever they need to.”
ENDS/Chiro VIP Patient Packs release/October 22, 2007
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com
Honour for Telford team
Two Telford chiropractors are studying to become Fellows of a national organisation.
Dr Tom Gwilliam and Dr Simon Pierce, from The Chiropractic Clinic, in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, will now be studying for Post Graduate qualifications.
Their aim is to take up Fellowships with the Faculty of Craniopathy, which specialises in chiropractic assessment and treatment of the bones of the skull.
“Currently there are only 13 Fellows of the Faculty nationwide, and for two of us from the same clinic to be considered is a real coup.”
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The duo will now continue their studies in their own time, and attend study sessions at the Anglo European College of Chiropractic, which is an associate college of Bournemouth University.
“The Faculty aims to promote best practice in terms of chiropractic treatment of the bones of the head, and it will be a great opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences with other such well-respected chiropractors.”
Simon said the two-year course was part of their programme of continued professional development, and reflected their commitment to continuously build on their skills.
“Our aim is always to ensure that we offer our patients the very best care, and by studying still further, we hope to keep up-to-date with the very latest developments in chiropractic treatment, and specialise in even greater depth.”
Fellowship is only open to chiropractors who have been practising in a clinic for several years, who have reached a high level of experience, and who have achieved the appropriate level of post graduate academic study.
Pic: Chiropractors Tom Gwilliam and Simon Pierce prepare for their Fellowship course
ENDS/Chiro fellowship release/October 26, 2007
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com
Back to bed for healthy sleep
A Shropshire chiropractor has warned that an uncomfortable night’s sleep could lead to health problems in the future.
Dr Tom Gwilliam, of The Centre for Positive Health, in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, said: “We spend a third of our life in bed, and the time we spend sleeping should ideally give our body and mind a chance to relax and regenerate.
“But if your bed’s uncomfortable, and you wake up with aches and pains every morning, you could find you’re storing up health problems which will only come to light once it’s too late.”
Dr Gwilliam said it was vital for everyone to choose the right kind of mattress to suit their body size and shape.
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“It’s impossible to find just one bed that would suit everyone, particularly in double beds where there are usually two bodies, both of different heights and weights, and both of which are hoping to be comfortable.
“Often a compromise is needed, but if there really is a great difference between partners, the best advice is to look for a bed that has different support systems on both sides – that way each person can be assured of a more restful night.”
But Dr Gwilliam warned that even for people with back problems, orthopaedic mattresses may not be the answer.
“You may find that if your orthopaedic mattress is too hard, it could be causing you back pain, rather than easing it. And since most of us buy a mattress after only a few minutes in a bed showroom, it’s not until we’ve had several nights sleep on it that we can be sure of whether it suits us or not.”
If you find your mattress is too hard, Dr Gwilliam said you could add a wool or cotton mattress on top of it, or use a layer of foam. And if it’s too soft, consider adding a board under it.
“Even if you have what you consider to be the correct mattress, you could still find that your sleep is not as restful as you’d like. Try sleeping in different positions, and if you’re on your side, try not to twist your shoulders in the opposite direction to your thighs. Your hips and knees should be brought up slightly, and support your neck with a suitable pillow.”
Dr Gwilliam said gentle stretching exercises first thing in the morning could also help to alleviate back pain, although it was important to straighten yourself up into the standing position gradually without twisting, and to try to avoid sudden movements.
“Your back is vulnerable until it is fully stretched and mobile, and even if you do try some gentle exercises, you can be at risk of straining it within the first two hours after you wake up.
“So it’s important to ensure that your bed is helping, rather than hindering your health, by investing in a mattress that suits your needs, and so helps you get a good night’s rest ready to face the day ahead.”
ENDS/Chiro mattress press release/June 13, 2007
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com
National praise for Brian
A patient at a Telford chiropractic clinic was so impressed with the help she received that she wrote to a national magazine.
Irene Taylor, from Wolverhampton, is 92, and has received treatment at The Centre for Positive Health, in Whitchurch Road, Wellington, for almost 40 years.
And through those four decades, she has received treatment from the same chiropractor – Dr Brian Gwilliam, who founded the clinic in the early 1960s.
Mrs Taylor said she had been so amazed by the difference chiropractic care had made to her health, that she wanted to say thank you in a public way.
“I wrote to Backchat magazine, which is published by the Chiropractic Patients’ Association, because I wanted people to know how much Brian has helped me over the years.
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“My case began in 1969 when I had problems with my spine. The more traditional medical profession could do little for me, and I spent much of the next two years in bed.
“But then a friend of my husband told him of a chiropractor, and that was Brian.
“Having nothing to lose and having previously tried osteopathy without success, I visited his clinic. After a few months I was walking again, which I have continued to do with his help, after all these years, even though I am now 92 years of age.”
Dr Gwilliam said he was extremely proud that Mrs Taylor had taken the trouble to write to the magazine.
“We have a legion of loyal patients who have been receiving chiropractic care at the clinic for many years, many of them through several generations of their family.
“I am very pleased that Mrs Taylor has found such benefit in the treatment, and that it has helped to keep her moving and pain free through such a long period of her life.”
ENDS/Chiro Irene Taylor release/May 24, 2007
For more information contact Rachel Jones, PR Liaison, 01785 823382 or email racheljonespr@aol.com