September is such a beautiful month but for many it signifies the end of the holiday period which can leave some people fighting feelings of low mood. Read on to find out how to combat those post-holiday ‘blues’.

Also, why not enter our September competition? We have a treatment voucher of choice for the lucky winner.

Camilla Peirse, Osteopath, shares her thoughts on taking up rowing in her late 40’s.

Finally, following on from our introduction to Nutritionist, Kristina Ericsson Richards, we are also delighted to introduce Alasdair Gray, Health and Nutrition Therapist … get your diet right to help improve your health and zest for life.

Enter our September Competition

The lucky winner will receive a voucher for a 30 minute treatment of choice. Please email your answer, name and telephone number to

enquiries@teddingtonosteopaths.co.uk

Which famous band released a song entitled September in 1978?

1. Earth, Wind and Fire
2. Rain, Sleet and Snow
3. Sun, Sea and Sangria

Go on, dance your way through September. Good luck!

T’s & C’s: Closing Date 15th September 2023. Only one entry per person. Entrants must be 18 or over. No cash alternative. Treatments subject to availability. Voucher must be used within 3 months of issue date.

That’s Why They Call It The Blues

Whilst not generally regarded as a serious condition, most of us will have experienced the post-holiday blues to some degree.

Returning from a holiday and going back to work or study after an extended period of rest and relaxation and/or fun-filled activities can leave us feeling depressed, emotional and anxious and can cause us to feel dissatisfied with our everyday lives.

Here are some things we can do to help combat those pesky blues:

Rowing? Surely I am too old!

I started a ‘Learn to Row’ course aged 47 and I loved it. Two years on and I’m still loving the physical and mental challenge of rowing, not to mention the camaraderie that comes with training and racing in the bigger boats.

As I am barely 5’4”,  I have to be stronger, faster and better technically to make the line up. Admittedly, I’d be no match for the younger, taller women at the top of their game, however, no other sport in my adult life comes close to giving me the drive and determination to do my best.

Being short does have its challenges in the boat. You’re always tempted to get that extra millimetre but, at what consequence: tennis elbow, disc prolapse, sciatica, hamstring tears, tendinopathies of the wrist, hip or elbow, you name it and if I haven’t experienced it, as an osteopath, I’m hyper vigilant to the risks of poor rowing techniques. All these are avoidable if you follow the correct technical instruction and if you stretch.

My rowing patients look at me with a quizzical smile when I tell them I’ve taken up rowing, but I chuckle and say “I know, not your typical rowing physique but let’s see shall we”. And yes, it’s only now when I stand next to some of my crew mates that I realise I’m not as tall as I feel!

So, would I recommend rowing to anyone in their 40s, 50s or older? Absolutely.

There is no other sport that works the whole body like rowing. By design, the action of rowing rebalances most work-related stresses and strains like desk work which conversely encourages a rounding of the shoulders and tightening of the hip flexors. In contrast, rowing could be the perfect complement; strengthening those otherwise long and weak muscles such as the lats, rhomboids, serratus anterior, glutei, quads and postural para spinal muscles.

But, remember, if you want to remain injury-free there are just no short cuts. Many local clubs run ‘Learn To Row’ courses where you can experience rowing on and off the water whilst making new friends and having new experiences. Give it a go!

Camilla Peirse, Registered Osteopath

To make an appointment with Camilla or any other member of our team, please call us on 020 8977 3295.

Nutritional Therapy

Alasdair is a qualified Nutritional Therapist (BANT, CNHC) with a practice focused primarily on autoimmune disease and brain health. Alasdair tells us:

“From an autoimmune perspective, the most common conditions I see are inflammatory bowel disease, hypothyroid/hyperthyroid, coeliac, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, MS, psoriasis, Type 1 diabetes and although they present differently in terms of tissue affected they all have their origin in the fact that their immune system is targeting self tissue rather than solely foreign pathogens.

The standard healthcare model is to medicate to either block inflammatory signals/suppress the immune system or to simply replace hormones (insulin, thyroxine etc) without finding out the reason why the immune system is dysregulated.

My role is to identify what is driving this dysregulation with my client. Inflammation triggers autoimmune flares so if my clients’ diet and lifestyle are driving inflammation then the medications are less effective and are required in higher doses. Each client is different so it is about working out what are their personal triggers:

·       Sleep

·       Stress

·       Nutrient deficiencies

·       Blood sugar imbalances

·       Food sensitives

·       Hormone imbalances

·       Gut dysbiosis

·       Chemical intolerances

Their intake questionnaire, symptom presentation and any blood tests give clues as to which areas we need to target. Sometimes further functional testing is needed such as stool sampling, SIBO breath test, nutrient levels, and hormone DUTCH testing. Each client then receives a personalised health plan based on which areas need tackling first.

Due to this wide range of drivers, I see a variety of conditions that I can help with. Joint pain, digestive issues (bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea), fatigue, brain fog.

This is an overview of how I work but I am happy to sit down and chat with anyone that wants to know more”.

Alasdair Gray

Tel 07984065431

www.alasdairgraynutrition.co.uk