Warm For Winter

Urrggh!

The weather has changed with a vengeance - everything I hate about living in the UK.

It is cold, wet, dark and only October :(

Just the time of year where you decide it is time to switch on your heating to discover that the boiler is broken and the radiators leak.

Which is why we should be more like boy (and girl) scouts and 'be prepared'!

How many people can put their hands in the air and admit to testing all of these things whilst the weather is still ok? (not going to say good here as it is not often that here).

I know, it seems to be a bit of a waste to turn on the heating when the weather is mild especially as the cost of gas and electricity is so high these days.  But surely it is better to do this for a few hours than to discover on a cold dark wet Sunday night that things are not working quite as you hoped?

So, lecture over - what else can we do to make sure that we stay warm and dry this winter and for the minimum cost?

• Make sure that all our warm winter jumpers are clean and ready - layer up and add more clothes.
• Buy a second duvet to put on top of the one you already have to save you needing to put heating on in the bedroom.  Not healthy anyway having a warm stuffy bedroom.
•  Make sure that your loft insulation is as thick as it can be - no point heating your roof and the sky above is there?
• Are you windows and doors all draft proofed?
• Have you got double glazing?  No point losing precious energy through single paned windows doors and conservatories.
• Have you got a good recipe book for soups and stews?  Take time to learn new recipes and to use new ingredients.
• Have you got a good pair of walking boots to go out for a nice brisk walk to get the blood pumping round your body?
• Make sure to get a regular hot stones massage - nothing quite like it for warming you to the core. 
• Make sure that you make a conscious decision to work from home in the coming new year.  You can become a virtual online assistant or provide online marketing services or something similar then you can work from your bed enjoying the view from your window.

Just a few suggestions to help to keep you warm and healthy and to help to keep your heating bills down to a minimum as they continue to rocket skywards ever more.

Ways To Stay Healthy In Winter

Here we go again - no sooner have I packed my holiday suitcase with beach and holiday clothes back on the top of the wardrobe than the weather takes a turn.  Not that it needed to turn too much after the summer (or lack of it) we have had this year here in the UK.
Blimey, I think I wore my cropped trousers 3 times and my jumper or a fleece most days.

However, at least the weather was mild enough to be outside to get some fresh air and exercise.  We went for some really great walks (actually the weather was perfect for walking - not too hot and not too wet and cold - just right).  We went out on our bikes and again the weather was just right.  We went to the gym and to the pool - so all in all despite the lack of lounging in the sun type weather we had a good summer.

But, back to the autumn.  The season of settling in and hibernation, the season for getting those last few outside jobs done and the season for getting those nice warm socks out and hats and gloves ready for the ice and frost to come.  I actually love autumn - I love all the seasons for very different reasons but if I had to pick a favourite I reckon it would be autumn.

I love to smell that woody, damp smell where the leaves have fallen and bonfires been lit.  I love to go for walks on a chilly afternoon with my warm coat and hat and gloves on and I especially love to walk along kicking at piles of yellow, orange browny leaves that crackle and crunch underfoot.

But, the colder weather also brings it's own hazards and one of these is the run of winer bugs that seem to plague millions as the weather turns in.  We get sniffles and coughs and winter vomiting.  Yet much of this could be easily avoided or make far less severe if we were a bit more proactive in looking after ourselves and in particular in boosting our immune system.

So, what are some good ways of protecting ourselves over winter?

Well, one of the best ways is by keeping fit and active and resisting the temptation to just trow in the towel and hibernate in the warmth of your home.  Get out and about in the cold sharp fresh air and get the blood pumping round your veins.  Get out your warm hat and gloves and even take a thermos of hot tea.
Get into the gym for a warm up and workout and feel all invigorated and alive when you hit the cold air when you get back outside.
Or….. if going outside is really not your thing then how about investing in a portable step machine so that you can work out at home?

Portable step machines today can be small and discreet so no one need to know your guilty little secret.  They can deliver a workout with a real punch.  If you look at the elliptical trainers - these not only do the up and down of conventional steppers but they also do the side to side motion you get from say skiing or cycling.  You get a really deep workout using muscles you either did not now you had or forgot you had years ago.

With a portable step machine workout you get the muscle exhausting workout you need combined with the card vascular pump workout your heart needs to stay strong and healthy.

So, stop revelling in being unhealthy this winter - you do not need to leave the comfort of your own front room to get fit and strong and the best thing is that no one else need know your little secret of healthy success.

Step Machine Review - Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper

I do not know about you but I for one have noticed over the last 2 weeks how the nights have begun to draw in.  Just 2 weeks ago we enjoyed the last barbecue of the year where we were able to enjoy sitting out in the garden until well after dark and not be chilly at all.

Now just 2 short weeks down the line autumn has arrived.  The mornings are albeit bright and sunny for the most part but chilly, the nights are getting darker earlier and earlier.

Time to begin to draw in and hibernate for the long process of winter.

This is the time of year where leaving the house after teatime holds no appeal for many people whatsoever.  What may have seemed like a good idea at one time no longer seems that when it is cold and dark and often raining.  No more going out for a run in the warm balmy air of the english early evening.

So, this brings me to the subject of still being able to keep fit and healthy over the winter months.

I have recently been looking at portable step machines as a method of getting a good regular workout for both muscles and my cardiovascular system.  In particular I have been drawn to several models that look to have the best of all worlds ......   

Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper

Now the reason this one caught my eye is that it is a double whammy - it is an elliptical trainer which means not only do you get an up/down step workout but also a side to side skiing/cycling one.  It has got variable resistance settings so as you get fitter your workout gets harder and will make you aware of muscle groups you never imagined you had :)

This means that you get a much better and deeper workout.  I am all for getting more value out of the same effort. I particularly loved this one too as it simply stashes away under the bed or in a cupboard and no one need be any the wiser about your little secret need they?

This really does seem to be a Rolls Royce of step machines and being priced round about the $50 mark is extremely good value for a very sturdy heavy duty piece of home gym equipment. 

Not only that it even has an integrated computer with an LCD display so that you can monitor your workout and keep track of previous ones.

You can even work out with your arms and upper body as there are also some exercise bands for the upper body.  This really can be a whole body workout in the comfort of your sitting room.

Another reason I am drawn to portable step machines is that you can be doing other things whilst working out - I am a great advocate in multi tasking and working out is a chore to me so the fact that I can be listening to my Ipod or watching TV makes it slightly more tolerable to do.

Getting Fit Over Winter

I have got a friend who always does the same thing - she eats for comfort all winter then come spring she has a massive panic over how she is going to look on the beach and all of a sudden she crash diets like a maniac.

She totally resents the diet, cheats her way through it then sighs and moans how bad she looks in her bikini.

Now, you can argue that I have been born lucky - rake thin.

However, what I will say in my own defence is that if I want to achieve something badly enough i somehow find the necessary will power to get me to where I want to be and if (god forbid) I needed to lose a pound or three in weight then if I wanted to do this that badly I would do whatever it took.

So, back to Jo (or that's what we call her here ) - you see all through winter I have observed that whilst she increases her calorie intake her exercise intake goes down.  In summer she goes out for a run and swims twice a week but winter she hibernates eating her way along.

If she were to simply continue with her exercise regime and cut down on her food a bit this would make a huge difference to her.  I suggested this once and she replied that the weather here in the UK is far too cold, dark and wet to even contemplate it.

That was until she discovered the joys of a step machine.

You see having a step machine in her home (not only that but a portable step machine so no one else knew her little secret) means that she can exercise like being at the gym or out for a run in the privacy of her home.  She can watch the TV whilst she breaks into a sweat and then hide the evidence away for later.  Not as bad as hiding your chocolate wrappers is it?

The cost of buying her stepper worked out less than gym fees over winter and she has got it for next year too.  She recently learned about the new style stepper the elliptical trainer and is now talking of her next purchase with great excitement

She now reports that she loves to exercise in winter and no longer feels bad about eating comfort food as she has a way to easily work off any excess and keep herself trim and fit whilst it rains, snows and does it's best as only english weather knows how.

Home Step Machines

Phew summer is gone and autumn is here - I can hear thousands heaving a sigh of relief as they realize that the fight to get fit for the beach is over for another year.

No more pretending to diet

No more feeble attempts to do exercise

No more having to make excuses for not sticking to the diet (either to yourself or anyone else)

No more needing to look at that bikini with a heavy heart

STOP!!!

It need not be like this!

If you just got yourself organised and added in a bit of discipline you could get yourself to be beach ready all year round.

Yes, I know what you are saying and I hear you ....

I do not get time to go to a gym
I do not have the money for monthly membership
I look fat and silly in front of everyone else
I do not have a baby sitter
yada yada yada....

Ok, so how about getting a home step machine then?

What?

Yes, a home step machine...

You can exercise when you like (even whilst watching TV if you like)

You do not need a baby sitter

You do not have monthly gym fees

You do not need to leave the house or find spare time you do not have

You do not need to look 'silly' in front of others.

You DO ...

Get fitter as time goes by

Get a good cardio and stamina workout and get toned as you go

Lose weight and fat as muscle builds

Gain confidence

A home step machine such as the Stamina SpaceMate folding stepper even folds up and stores under your bed - so you cannot even use lack of storage space as your excuse for not getting one!

Go on now, what do you have to lose - apart from maybe those 20lb's you wanted to lost before the summer this year?

Start autumn as if it were the beginning of summer and get fit and lose that weight and imagine how great you will feel hitting the beach in 2013 looking amazing!

Super Fruits For Good Health

We all know that we are advised to eat at least 5 per day fruits/veggies in order to be in optimum good health but my question is .....

Just how many of us do this every single day?

Come on now be totally honest do you?

Well, if you do I reckon you will be in the minority rather than the majority.

So that being said it does make good sense to maximise what we do eat so that we get the maximum nutritious benefit from what we do eat.

So lets take a look at some 'super fruits' that we can eat ....

• The Acai Berry - Native to central and south America and it has been a tradtional food source for hundreds of years.  The Acai berry is claimed to boost energy, help digestion processes, to improve the skin and heart and to also help in detoxification and weight loss.  Lots of claims and plenty of evidence to show that it really can make a big difference.  It contains Anthocyanins and Flavinoids which are antioxidants which help to protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals.
• The Blueberry is native to north America and it is also found here in europe.  Blueberries have high levels of the minerals Manganese,  vitamin B6, and Vitamins C and K and are high in anti oxidants.
• The Goji Berry - Found in Cina, Mongolia and the Himalayas.  They are rich in antioxidants which particularly help the eyesight, longevity, liver and fertility/sexual function.
• The Mangosteen - Native to Thailand and Burma.  Mangosteens are rich in anti oxidants collectively known as Xanthones which are thought to have effects against cancer and also anti inflammatory and anti microbial properties.  The only downside to mangosteen is that it is the rind that contains most of these properties so in order to get the most out of this fruit you need to be consuming a puree/juice of the whole fruit not just the inner fleshy part.
• The Cranberry - As most people know the Cranberry is well documented at being very helpful in the treatment of urinary/bladder conditions.  The Cranberry is a major crop in many parts of north America.  They are eaten fresh, dried, juiced, added to sauces ......  Cranberries contain some of the highest levels of anti oxidants and they are currently under much investigation and trial work to ascertain just how useful they can be.

Good diet is a major part in the quest for good health and coupled with general good care of ourselves and added to complementary therapies they provide a good all round part of well being.

Back Pain Tips - For Once You've Got It

As we all know it is far easier to prevent something from happening in the first place rather than dealing with the problem once it becomes one.

Back pain is a classic example of this because once we have got it boy do we wish we had done something ... anything  to stop it starting in the first place.

However, as most of us know actually being proactive in looking after our backs is not something we give a whole lot of energy and attention to.  In the west we only tend to give attention to our backs once they become a problem.  We are 'crisis managers' - and not that good at it either :(

I have been a therapist for almost 18 years and the majority of clients that I treat only ever seek treatment when they have got a problem.  Getting regular massage or Reflexology is usually regarded as a luxury not to be afforded very often and only in a dire emergency.

Once we have got a problem we spring into action (or as much as we can in the circumstances given we have got a lot of pain) and demand immediate relief from our pain.

Here are a few top tips to help you through this purgatory ....

• For severe pain always go and seek expert advice before taking any other steps.  See the Dr, Physiotherapist, Osteopath or Chiropractor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan and then follow their advice as best you can.
• Whilst waiting to see the above then you can always seek advice on pain relief from the pharmacy, put ice onto the affected area and elevate and feet or legs to help reduce inflammation and/or swelling.
• Once past the acute immediate phase then the addition of heat to the affected area usually helps.  Heat warms the muscle and brings fresh clean blood with glucose and oxygen and it takes away the inflammatory chemicals and carbon dioxide and lactic acid etc.  The heat also encourages the muscle to relax and this in turn helps they blood flow to increase.  The feeling of the heat is also very soothing.
• Keep the area as mobile as possible to stop the affected muscles from seizing up completely 
• Eat plenty of good healthy food and drink plenty of water - repairing cells need to right sort of fuel to regenerate.
• If you are recommended to do exercises then make sure you do them and do them regularly. 
• Therapies such as Massage, Reflexology, Accupuncture, Reiki can all help so it may be worth trying these to see what helps.  As a therapist with a lot of experience I have found that all of these can be helpful and it is a matter of finding our which one will be the best one for you.  Take a look at www.footreflexologytips.com to find out more about reflexology.
• Take a good look at your bed as this is a major cause of back problems over the long term.  Traditional flat beds do not give the support the human body with all of it's curves the support it needs in the places it needs to have it.  Adjustable beds are the best way to sleep as the 5 fold adjustable bases give support to all of the 5 critical areas of the head, neck, spine, hips and knees.  The quality of sleep you get from these beds is second to none.  there is a great review site over at www.adjustablebedsreviews.org take a look and see what they say.

Looking after your back and joints should be something that is ongoing throughout life and more so when we are in good health not just waiting until we have a problem.  By investing some time and money in ourselves in this way should ensure that we are fitter and healthier and more able to enjoy the fun things in life.

Natural Pain Relief

Dealing with pain when it hits is something we all want to deal with quickly and effectively.  however, we do not always want to use 'artificial' methods of pain relief and more than ever today we look for different types of natural pain relief.

I have always looked to complementary therapies to help my health and have found some of these to be invaluable for me.  In particular I find that Reflexology is so good for many different complaints that as far as I am concerned it is a totally under rated therapy and should be used far more than it is.

One of the best uses for Reflexology for me is in first aid situations with things like headaches and anxiety attacks and the beauty of using Reflexology is that you can use the hands or feet and in using the hands no one actually has any idea what you are doing.  It can be so very discreet and yet so very effective.

This is a video we found on Youtube that is excellent at showing you how to use reflexology in a headache situation - just watch it and see what we mean.





My Reflexologist recommends that really to get the best out of the treatment it should be done on a regular basis and this means that the body is kept in a permanent state of balance and harmony and because of this there is a much lower chance of problems occurring.  The better we look after ourselves in health the less likely we are to suffer health problems in the future.

What she also recommends is having a good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and clean water to drink, plenty of fresh air and exercise and taking an active interest in our structural well being.

By this I mean posture and this means making sure we are standing straight, making sure our furniture supports us properly and making sure we sleep in a good supportive bed that allows us to rest as we should every night.  There is a good site over at www.lookafteryourspine.com that explains very well why we should take more care when choosing our beds.

Taking care of our health should be a high priority and should be ongoing even when we feel we are in tip top health - this way it becomes more difficult to fall ill when we are in the best of health.

Adjustable Mattresses

If you have been taking any notice at all to my previous posts then you will understand that I am rather passionate about the virtues of the electric adjustable bed.

You will know that I think that it should be law that we all get one and maybe if we did there would be far less back pain and back problems and injuries and therefore far less valuable time lost to sick days and the like.

So, today I thought I would tackle the subject of the adjustable bed mattress because as you get a choice it can sometimes be confusing as you are not sure which one to choose and why to choose it so here we go....

• Memory foam adjustable mattress - Memory foam is exactly what it says it is in that it moulds to your body shape - whereas, a sprung mattress just stays flat.  The foam is not a good place for bed bugs and the like to be able to flourish and the open foam structure allows circulation of air so you do not overheat whilst in bed.  Memory foam is excellent for use with an adjustable bed frame.

• Pocket sprung mattress - Unlike the traditional sprung mattress the pocket sprung one has got hundreds of individual springs each in its own fabric pocket.  These all work individually not as a whole as as such a pocket sprung mattress works well with an electric adjustable bed frame.  If you are used to rolling into your partner on a night then think again as this is not going to happen with a pocket sprung mattress.

• Latex mattresses - As the name suggests these are made from 'natural' latex.  Latex is excellent as a mattress at it naturally adjusts to the body shape and pressure therefore giving a high level of comfort and support.  Latex is naturally resistant to bacteria, fungi and moulds.  You need to be sure that the 'latex' mattress you buy is 100% 'natural' latex.

• Combination mattresses where the mattress may be latex but it may also have a topper of memory foam or reflex foam are also available.

Whichever mattress you choose to invest in for your adjustable beds you can be assured that they will give you far more support than a traditional 'sprung' mattress that you more than likely already have on your 'flat' bed.  An adjustable bed is exactly what the Dr ordered to help to keep you and your body in tip top condition for many years to come.

Treating Back Pain Naturally

Just the thought of the words 'back pain' is enough to make many people shudder and quake.
Those of us who have been unfortunate enough to experience back pain in all it's different intensities and places know just how debilitating back pain can be.

In fact this alone is responsible for millions of lost work days every year which must amount to millions of $$ or ££ lost revenue from the economy.

So, what can we all do to help to minimise the risk of getting any back problems in the future and or course to help to deal with any current back problems that we may already have?

Well, if we have got a painful problem the first thing we tend to do is to reach for the painkillers and we usually do this with an enormous amount of gratitude for the fact that they exist.  We might need a trip to the Dr or the Physiotherapist, Osteopath or Chiropractor and we may need to take time off work.  We do our exercises religiously to make sure of a speedy recovery or at least to expedite the removal of back pain and then once we fell better then exercises often fall by the way side until next time.

However, what we also need to consider is some form of preventative strategies to help problems from even starting in the first place.  Think of these as keeping the body well maintained in a healthy state.

• Regular back massage will not only keep your muscles tension and knot free but it is also invaluable 'me time' away from the stresses and strains of life
• Other therapies such as Reflexology, Reiki, Aromatherapy are all great for keeping your body and soul in tip top order
• Warm up correctly before exercising and make sure you get plenty of regular exercise
• Eat well and regularly.  Good healthy food.
• Check out your furniture and in particular your bed.  Electric adjustable beds are the best and most supportive beds you can buy and they need not cost the earth in 2012.  Make sure that you get a good  nights sleep every night so that you feel rested next day and also so that your body can get all the time it needs to do it's repair and regeneration.

Looking after your back need not require any extra effort on your behalf - just an awareness.  Your body will reward you for this a million times over if you just keep mindful of how you are treating it and looking after it.  Do not wait until there is a crisis treat it like gold now.

Why An Electric Bed?

So... How well did you sleep last night?

Did you sleep right through like a new born babe?
Or....
Did you struggle to drop off and wake feeling groggy today?
Or....
Did you drop off quite quickly and wake rather too early?

So, do you feel rested this morning?

We get to spend approximately one third of our lives in bed - yes one third!
One third of our lives on the same piece of furniture that we usually choose with the same amount of consideration as buying the cat a new bed.
The one third of our time where we are at our most vulnerable, most trusting, and where our bodies need to most help and support and comfort.

We sleep and we heal and we rejuvenate and we should wake feeling refreshed, happy and healthy.

But, how many of us wake feeling great?

Not many!

So what can be done?

Well think about it.......

Most people sleep in a flat bed albeit it maybe has got an 'orthopaedic mattress' but nevertheless the bed is flat.
We struggle to get ourselves comfortable for sleep and prop ourselves up with pillows and props then spend some of the next 8 hours wriggling around moving position trying to get and stay comfy.

We wake once we have been sleeping often because we need to change position or maybe we ache?
Then, it's time to get up and the alarm sounds like a fire claxon!!!!!!!!

Agggh ... we feel like we have been in the ring with Mike Tyson and come off very badly.

Most sleep disturbance is comfort related (or even worse .... partner comfort related) and with the right sort of support and comfort it can be avoided completely.

This is why buying the 'right' sort of bed is so vitally important because it gives us the support we need and having this level of support gives us the quality and quantity of sleep that is essential for us to be fit well and in tip top health.

Electric adjustable beds are the ultimate in ideal sleep solutions.  An adjustable frame and mattress that gives the right level of support everytime to the head, neck, spine, hips and knees is just what the human body needs to make the conditions perfect for a perfect nights sleep every night.

Ways To Stop Back Pain

Back pain truly can be one of the most painful and debilitating health issues we can face.  Just think about it you use your back/spine in just about everything that you do.

• walking
• running
• moving
• lifting ......

Your spine is at the centre of your body and its muscles are interconnected with all body parts as are the nerves that radiate out from the spinal cord.  If there is damage to just 1 muscle then the knock on effect is that many other muscles will also be out of alignment - it is a bit like a domino effect cascading through.

Those of use who have suffered with back pain at one time or another really will understand that the pain and lack of movement really can impact massively on your life.

So, the moral of this tale is to make sure that you keep your back in good health to start with and then the risk of doing damage is going to be minimised right from the start.

Keeping the spine supple with regular exercise is key to good spine health and yoga is a very good way to do this - see this article in the Huffington Post.  Any sort of exercise that keeps your strong and supple is good providing you do these correctly and using the correct posture as you do them.

Investing in good furniture that supports your spine correctly is also essential so take a good look at your bed and mattress - hint - our bodies are not flat so why sleep in a flat bed on a flat mattress?
Electric adjustable beds are the beds for the future as they give customised support in such a way that a normal bed could never achieve.  Having a good nights sleep every night means that the body can get on with what it is supposed to be doing as we sleep - repair and regeneration.

Having a good healthy diet and drinking plenty of clean clear water will make sure that your body has the correct nutrients to stay strong and healthy and of course the body needs the nutrients to repair any damage.

If you do injure your back then do not waste time before getting professional help from a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist, delays in seeking professional help can cost you dearly.

A Trip To The Physio

For the last 16 months I have had a hip pain - nothing that makes me cry out but one of those insidious toothache type nagging pains that is always there lurking just under the surface.

My Dr gave me it a fancy name and some painkillers and off I went.  The next stop off point was the Podiatrist who gave me some very nice inserts for my shoes and off I went again.
Of course neither of these worked to any great degree :(  and I kind of lived with the pain for the next few months.

So, eventually (just last night) I visit the physio who agrees with the quacks diagnosis but not with the treatment regime.  You see a good physio has far more working knowledge of joints and muscles than the average GP and as they specialize in just sorting out aches and pains they are rather good at it.

I knew that the physio would spare me no mercy on the painometer and he did not - in fact the first time he 'hit the spot' I very nearly hit the roof.  Talk about a 'trigger point'!

He kept on at the spot for what seemed like forever but as the minutes clicked by the pain was less intense as the muscle gradually gave in to his pressure.  As I left his clinic just last night there was a marked improvement on the last 18 months of discomfort and pain.  There is no way I am not going to do my daily exercises now.

So, what else could I be doing to help this muscle to recover properly?
Well, not damaging it in the first place might be a good starting point I suppose :(
But as it is now a damage limitation exercise ...

• Do my exercises religiously every day
• Make sure I keep my next appointment next week
• Have some massage or even a reflexology treatment
• Even consider investing in a good supportive adjustable bed

Ahh well nature heals and I suppose that I have had it for long enough so a few more weeks should not hurt any more than it already does.  The moral of this particular tale I suppose is get it sorted right from the start.

Taking Responsibility For YOU

In the 21st century we have it easy, easier than ever before.

Now I can see you asking - 'What'?

Well just think about it ......

We feel ill so we go to the Dr, we get tooth ache we goto the Dentist......
In fact actually beginning to take responsibility for ourselves really is not the easiest option as we now have a culture of expecting others to pick up the pieces and sort our lives out for us.

However, if we do take back responsibility and commit to looking after ourselves better then we not only feel better physically but mentally too it makes us far stronger.

So, how can we start?

Well quite simply the best way is to commit to being healthier and we can do this in a number of ways.....

• We can look at our diet and make the choice to eat more healthily, to cut down on rubbish and processed food.
• We can do regular exercise and make this part of our routine
• We can look at our bodies and see which parts maybe need a little bit of help to become strong and functioning again.

Being a therapist I have a huge interest in this and as much as possible I recommend to my clients that they look after themselves better.

One of the major problems I deal with on a daily basis is the fact that people do not look after their physical body and they come to visit my clinic expecting us to do miracles for them instead of them having looked after themselves properly.

I get to see literally hundreds of people every year who suffer with back pain and yet there is so much that they could have done to stop it becoming as bad as it does.

One of the main things we recommend is getting a really good supportive bed - just think about it we get to spend approx. one third of our lives in bed and yet how many of us treat the bed purchase as the most important piece of furniture we buy?

So, here is what we recommend

• Adjustable beds are going to be the most supportive beds money can buy because they will give tailor made support to the 5 key areas that need extra support whilst lying down.  These are the head, neck, hips, knees and spine
• An adjustable bed will make getting into and out of bed far easier as the back can be raised up to give good support
• Adjustable beds are great for anyone with arthritis, aches and pains, hiatus hernia and gastric reflex, snoring, asthma .... I could go on for pages with this
• Adjustable beds need not be wildly expensive either as there are online companies who do not have the huge overheads of needing a showroom and staff and therefore cost savings are passed directly to the customer - take a look at the Electric Bed Co 

Adjustable beds are not a luxury item in terms of cost but in terms of comfort and support they truly are one of the most luxurious pieces of furniture you can ever invest in.

Do You Care For Your Back?

Well do you?

Or, are you one of the millions of people who gives little regard to their back until ........ one day you injure it and then you are in so much pain you would do almost anything to put it right?

Well, if this is you then you are in the majority as most people take their spine and back totally for granted.  They do not get regular massage to ensure that the muscles are kept as knot free and mobile as possible, they do not sit in ergonomically designed chairs, they do not watch their posture and they do not watch how the lift and haul heavy objects around.  And ..... even worse the bed they sleep in is
an unsupportive 'flat' bed - just like the majority of people sleep in.

So, I have got a question for you???

Is your body 'flat' or does it have curves?

Too right it has curves!

So ........... why sleep a curved body on a flat bed (even though it might have a mattress with some padding to help to compensate for this)?

The human body needs support particularly when we are lying down and the natural curves of the head, neck, spine, hips and knees all need extra support and ...... (this is the important bit) they all need different support!

So..............why sleep a curved body on a flat bed?

Now an electric adjustable bed does just that and it does it in these 5 key areas and does it in such a way that anyone can get comfy by setting what must be an unlimited number of combinations of settings.

So just for instance say you suffer from leg oedema and need your legs raising up - you can raise them as much or as little as you need.  Say you suffer from a Hiatus Hernia or get Gastric Reflux well simply raise the head of the bed and chest area.

Say you want to sit relaxing in bed to watch a movie or read a book (we all know what it is like propping yourself up with pillows) - simply set the bed to suit you and you will be perfectly comfortable for hours......

Here in the UK we have got plenty of adjustable bed companies and one of the biggest is here at Oakdale Beds

Getting A Good Nights Sleep

Come on now let's have a poll and see just how many people really do have a great nights sleep - Do you?

The majority of people really do not sleep well at all, they toss and turn, they fail to get comfy, they are kept awake by partners snoring etc. etc.  Then they wake up next morning feeling like they have done 2 rounds in the ring with Mike Tyson - Aggghh!

I always tell my massage and reflexology clients that in order for the human body to do all the repair and regeneration it needs to do you need to get quality sleep 6 nights out of 7.

So why do we suffer from 'bad sleepitis'?

Well, one of the main reasons is based on the type of bed that most people sleep in - a 'normal' flat bed.  You see a traditional mattress being flat does not give the 'curvy' body the support it needs in the places it needs it.  Whereas an adjustable bed with an adjustable mattress does just that - it adjusts.

Adjustable beds adjust in the 5 major areas that need extra support - the head, neck, back, hips and knees.  This means that the beds settings are tailor made to that person on that particular day to ensure the correct support.  These beds are so good for a number of health related conditions as they not only get you comfy in bed but being adjustable they also mean it is much easier to get into and out of bed.  If you suffer from arthritis or any mobility problems this is a great help and of course for the elderly it can mean that they retain independence and dignity for longer.

Adjustable beds are also great for people who need some elevation in bed such as those who maybe have oedema of the legs or maybe even suffer from gastric reflux or have a hiatus hernia - they can be elevated at which ever end of the body they need.

Take a look at the video here to get some idea of how comfortable an adjustable bed can be and next time you are tossing and turning trying to get comfy just consider how good an adjustable bed could be.

Taking Time For Yourself

Having been a therapist for over 17 years it often occurs to me to wonder why other therapists take so little care of themselves yet on the other hand they expect so much of their clients.

Case in point - a really close friend of mine who is also a therapist has had a back problem for months and months and did nothing about it - can you believe it?  Only when the pain started to get really unbearable did she decide to take action and as it had got so bad this had to be massive action.  She had a first treatment and boy she suffered for days, she had a second and it started to ease up a wee bit.  To be honest it is only after the 5th treatment that she is starting to feel any real benefit and progress.

The moral of the tale here is if you are in a position where you make recommendations to others than make damn sure that you practice all you preach.  If you do not then it kind of makes you not only look rather silly but it also makes you a hypocrite.

It really does not matter what treatment you opt to have as long as it works well for you and is appropriate to your problem.  So for instance if you have got painful back muscles then oil massage may be just what the Dr ordered, if you have got persistent IBS or recurrent Migraine then Reflexology might just fit the bill.  If I have got a client who finds it difficult to commit to one particular treatment then I make them do some homework before they come along and I find that Youtube has got some excellent videos to 'show you what' - here is a great on one Reflexology that I often use.


I also find that there are some really excellent websites that have some very good information to help clients - the more they can find out about their problems the more empowered they become so sites such as The Huffington Post, Wiki, About.com are really good sources of quality information.
I love to use this particular article too as it explains just why it is important to get regular massage and it helps to get them into the mindset of this too.   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/is-it-healthy-to-get-mass_b_1585522.html