Mental Health Awareness Week 2013

Running from the 13-19 May, Mental Health Awareness Week 2013 seeks to highlight the benefits of exercise in helping the reduce the symptoms of mental health.  Physical activity releases feel good hormones into the body.

Events are being held all over the UK, and you can take part by visiting the Mental Health Foundation website, mentalhealth.org.uk, where you can also download a guide to starting physical activity, and giving you ideas of things to try.  The guide can be downloaded here; http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/lets-get-physical-booklet-2013/

Remember too, that massage is also a good way of relieving stress, anxiety and calming the mind, as well as reducing tension held within muscle tissue.  Modern life puts so much strain on our physical bodies and minds, and we need to remember to take time out and just switch off.

For further information regarding massage treatments I offer, please browse this blog or contact me direct on 07794084666

Benefits of Vitamin D

The sun is out!!! Unbelievable isn't it?  How long will it last? C'mon this is the UK, I think we know the answer to that one.  So while it is out, I am going to be out in it as much as possible, with suitable sun protection, so that i can top up my Vitamin D levels.  That's right, you can go out, and get healthier too, as sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, as it helps our bodies synthesise it internally.

So what are the benefits of this free source of nutrition?  Firstly it helps the absorption of other minerals in the body such as calcium and phosphorus which are vital to bone health.  It also boosts the immune system, enabling us to fight off infection more readily.  Vitamin D may also be good for brain health too as we grow older.  

It can help us maintain a healthy body weight, helps us defend against cancerous cells, reduce the risk of female rheumatoid arthritis, reduce the frequency & severity of asthma attacks.

So there are plenty enough reasons to get your flesh out and give yourself a boost! 

Treatment List Spring 2013

Here is the almost ready for print new treatment menu.  Please take a look and get back to me if there is anything you are interested in booking

Apologies for the size of the images.  Have been trying to make larger whilst converting from a word document to image file, and as someone who really isn't an expert at this type of thing, am struggling to get any larger.  If you would like to receive a copy of the leaflet in your email, please contact me at synergy-therapies@gmx.co.uk and I will send you a digital copy that is more reader friendly

Hernia Pt 4

As I write this, it is exactly 2 weeks since I was given the anaesthetic for my op at The Circle clinic, Nottingham.

The healing has progressed well since my previous post, the redness and swelling that looked angry has gone, my bruising has all but gone also.  I still have to be careful with Xena, our dog, jumping up on me to sit as it can jar the wound and cause so sharp intakes of breath.  I have tried walking her on a lead, but due to her ability to pull me along in her excitement to be out, is still too painful for me to do.  Managed 10 minutes last night and it felt very uncomfortable so I'll be waiting a while longer on that.

Ironically, I have made it back to the gym with no ill effects.  Yesterday, I did Aqua Aerobics, my first class in 2 weeks, and had no problems.  Today, I tasked myself to attempt one of my favourite classes, advanced aerobics, knowing that at the first sign of discomfort I would stop.  I decided to reign my enthusiasm in at being back to protect my self and not go "full on" like normal.  I made it through the heavily choreographed routine, with no twinges, pain or pulling so allowed myself to test myself slowly into doing a bit more.  No problems, so that is a huge victory for me and for the power of positive thinking as this was my first goal I wanted to achieve on day 1 of recovery.  I've also treated my first client today as well, a 30 minute massage, again, I felt no discomfort performing this.  My mantra moving forward, is, if it feels ok, do it but take care in the process.

Below is a picture of how the scar looks today;

Thank you for reading

Hernia Part 3

Hi, this is just a really quick post, to include a picture of how i am looking at the minute, almost a week after the procedure.  I am quite sore though moving, for the most part, as normal if a little slower.

I am still taking painkillers at night, in case I catch myself in my sleep, and I am also applying virgin coconut oil to it as well to ease the sore/tight feeling. My abdomen is also still swollen at the minute too.

Hernia Part 2

It is now 4 days since my operation and I've just completed my first significant walk of 2 miles, had been building up to it over the weekend.  It is not uncomfortable to walk, but I am aware of the stitches and can only only manage a snail's pace.

The day of the operation itself was stressful and not in equal measure.  The day before, the clinic had called to say that the procedure was being moved from 7.30am to half past midday, so I was preparing myself for a total cancellation down the line.  When I was called into the ward(Dave initially remained outside in reception)I was shown to a private pod/room with tv and recliner chair, made welcome and changed clothing into the operating gown and a fetching pair of paper pants!  

The staff were wonderful and attentive, the anaesthetist and surgeon both visited me to ensure I had no allergies to stuff, check what I was having done etc etc.  In fact every step from start to finish, I was made to confirm what i was having done was correct and reassured as to what why they were doing something.  Dave was allowed to keep me company in my pod until it was time to go to the theatre room.  I was introduced to everyone again, had a laugh(despite my fear and nerves at the sight of the operating table) and we all checked out each others tattoos.  On the table, I had a needle inserted into my left hand to allow the anaesthetic to be administered.  This felt quite sore and worsened quite quickly.  The surgeon himself admitted he didn't like how it looked so gave me pain relief and removed it whilst one was put into my right hand.  I had a brief whiff of what must've been the anaesthetic being administered and then I was awake in Recovery!

I had a nurse with me constantly, talking to me and checking i was ok.  I was surprised how lucid I was quite quickly, if a little dizzy.  After about 15 minutes I wheeled down to my pod, and when I was ok I could move, I was helped into the chair.  Checking that I was doing ok, I was a choice of sandwiches and a hot drink which I gulped down with the tv on.  D was allowed back in, I was given my meds to take and said that when I felt I was able, it was ok for me to dress into my own clothes.  After a few final checks, D wheeled me down to the car park and the car.  

The next morning, the clinic called to check the night had gone by with no complications and ask if I had any questions.  I have had v little bleeding with the procedure.  

I will post some pictures of the result soon.  I will have a barely noticeable tidy scar.  I will say one thing that has shocked me after the operation;  Very bruised penis and scrotum, literally the deepest purple!

Hopefully I will get more mobile and have less irritating, niggly pain in a few more days.

My Hernia Operation Pt1

With just a week to go before my hernia op, I thought I'd start with what will be a series of posts documenting my recovery.  I am having the operation at The Circle clinic, Nottingham, a private facility that takes NHS patients, and is a far cry from the antiquated City Hospital I was originally referred to by my former GP last year, an experience that freaked me out (I have a fear of hospitals) and the surgeon wasn't bothered about treating me as the hernia wasn't, and still isn't causing me any grief 99% of the time.

After swapping GP's I decided to get sorted this year, and The Circle has restored my faith in the NHS as this place looks more like an ultra modern shopping centre, with efficient, informed staff, that, although annoyed that I am going to have to take time out from work,gym classes etc, I am in a place that makes me confident I'll get a good job done.

Below is a pic of how my hernia currently looks

For those of you who are unsure what a hernia is, here is some info from the NHS website;

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall.

Your muscles are usually strong and tight enough to keep your intestines and organs in place, but sometimes they are not, which causes a hernia.

What is an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal (pronounced "ingwanal") hernia is the most common type of hernia. The hernia can appear as a swelling in your groin or as an enlarged scrotum (the pouch containing the testicles), which may be painful. The swelling will often appear when you are lifting something and disappear when you lie down.

There are two types of inguinal hernia:

• An indirect inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia, which can occur at any age and is more likely to cause pain in the scrotum.
• A direct inguinal hernia is more common in older men and rare in children.

What causes an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia usually occurs when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel, such as the intestine, pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.

It pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall (the abdominal wall) into the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal is a channel through which blood vessels to the testicles pass in men and through which the round ligament passes in women.

What happens during surgery?

There are two ways that an inguinal hernia repair can be performed:

• open surgery – where one cut is made to allow the surgeon to push the lump back into the abdomen
• keyhole surgery – a less invasive but more difficult technique where several smaller cuts are made, allowing the surgeon to use various instruments

So there you have it, I go into surgery next Thursday, April 4, I will keep the posts coming as time allows, and include pictures of how the healing progresses and the finished result.

MB