A famous Twickenham resident once wrote:

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast”  Alexander Pope

With the weather starting to warm up (gradually) and restrictions being lifted (gradually) we hope that you are filled with hope for Spring. To further lift your spirits and to say thank you for your loyalty over the last few months, we are giving away three 30 minute treatments (read on for more info).

Covid Vaccinations

As allied health care workers, we have been fortunate to receive our first Covid vaccinations. We feel very privileged to be in this position and we are delighted, not just because we can enjoy greater protection ourselves, but because it may offer you, our patients, added reassurance and confidence when visiting the clinic. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful NHS workers and volunteers at the York Medical Practice and at all the other NHS centres for doing such a sterling job.

Chinese Medicine & Long Covid Symptoms

Since April last year Alex Murray, our Chinese Medicine practitioner, has been involved in a national project designed to treat patients, who are suffering from “long Covid” symptoms, using herbal medicine. Additionally, he has been exploring the role of acupuncture in supporting the function of the immune system. Indeed, there is generally much that acupuncture, as an holistic therapeutic tool, can do to help with issues surrounding psychological health and the promotion of general well-being which has been much of his focus in his NHS work for many years. In the end it is people, not conditions, that we treat.

Please call 020 8977 3295 to speak with Alex Murray, TCM Practitioner.

Exercise & stretching – an osteopath’s personal journey into lockdown injury … and out again.  Ruth Ann Head

“At the beginning of lockdown, like me, I expect you probably realised that our outdoor exercise options were going to be fairly limited. Personally, I like swimming. I don’t have a bike and running has always been a challenge. I immediately attempted couch to 5K but that didn’t really happen.

Eventually, I managed to find some motivation and went on my first run. After 20 minutes I was shattered, the rest of the run became a fast walk (which was absolutely fine) followed by extreme relief once I arrived back home. I felt so proud that I had done it and promptly sank down on the couch to watch the news and have breakfast. No stretching before or after my run.

By the 4th run, just as I was getting into it, I managed to injure myself. I had not stretched!

Embarrassingly, this little story is true. As an osteopath, I am fully aware that stretching is so important. I always tell my patients this but, for some reason, I had not followed my own advice.

Stretching warms up the muscles and warms them down, it helps to give relief to muscles that are fatigued. It stops spasm and helps to regenerate tissue. It stimulates the nervous system and helps push fluid back into the joints.

So remember, after a gentle warm up, stretch for 10-15 minutes before a run (or cycle or swim, etc) and then stretch for a further 10-15 minutes afterwards. Your body will thank you for it.

My injury has since healed and I now run regularly with a friend (obviously socially distanced!). We stretch together and its not that bad now that we are in the groove!”

Please call 020 8977 3295 to speak with Ruth Ann Head, Osteopath, or any of our other practitioners.

Spring Competition

For a chance to win one of three 30 minute treatments, just email us at enquiries@teddingtonosteopaths.co.uk. State your name, contact details and treatment preference. The winners will be chosen at random on the first day of Spring, Saturday 20th March 2021.

Good luck!

T’s & C’s: Closing date: Friday 19th March 2021. Only one entry per person. Three winners will each receive one complimentary 30 minute treatment. Treatments subject to availability. Entrants must be 18 years or over. No cash alternative offered. Prizes must be used by 20th June 2021.

Lifting of Restrictions

We are hoping to recommence treatments such as massage, reflexology and reiki very soon. We hope that we shall be allowed to do so in April, so …. watch this space!