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Can Osteopathy help with hip and knee pain?

Osteopathy can help with many things. From lower back pain to frozen shoulder and arthritis to sporting injuries.

But, can osteopathy help with hip and knee pain? In a nutshell: yes, osteopathy can more than likely help with pain felt in this region, as it takes on a holistic approach when it comes to treating musculoskeletal disorders and the general skeletal system.

However, as we’ve spoken about before, pain felt anywhere in your body – including in your hip or knee – could be a case of referred pain.

 

What is referred pain?

Referred pain is pain felt in one area, that’s caused by pain or injury in another part of your body.

With the human body made up of 206 bones, 600 muscles, 900 ligaments and more than 80 billion nerve cells, plus the 12 major organs – it’s perhaps unsurprising that the symptom you present with, isn’t necessarily the cause of the issue.

 

Taking a holistic approach

Osteopath and Naturopath Robin Kiashek, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the sector, takes a holistic approach when dealing with clients.

“I believe in treating the person and not just the problem they present with,” Robin explains. “This helps me get to the root cause of the issue.”

Robin does so by taking a full history to build up a picture of his patient’s routines and habits to discover where things might be going awry.

“Take someone who is suffering with headaches or migraines,” Robin explains. “I would initially review any medical investigations previously undertaken and consider possible ‘red flags’ and if necessary, refer patients for appropriate investigations. After a comprehensive physical examination, I would quiz them about their sleeping pattern, how often they exercise, their stress load and their diet. All the above plays a part in how the body functions.”

And this is no different to knee or hip pain.

 

What causes hip and knee pain?

The causes of hip and knee pain are wide and varied. As stated by the NHS, hip pain could be caused by a sudden injury, joint hip fracture, bursitis, ‘snapping hip syndrome’ – to name a few or a longer-lasting problem, like arthritis. While knee pain could be a result of tendonitis, bursitis, a torn/stressed ligament or fascia, osteoarthritis, or a rheumatological condition.

One’s hip, knee and feet are thought of as a ‘closed chain’ – what affects one, will affect the other. Osteopathy can help in evaluating to what extent one’s knee pain and/or hip pain are inter-related.

 

How osteopathy can help with hip and knee pain

As confirmed by science, osteopathy can help to improve function and relieve pain in the knee. This was seen in a 2018 journal, where researchers concluded that an Osteopathic approach can be used to ‘complement conventional treatment’ of pain in the knee.

Treatment for hip and knee pain generally involves gentle osteopathic techniques, acupuncture, low level laser therapy or a combination of all three.

Robin explains: “Gentle osteopathic techniques can help to increase the mobility of the joints and relieve muscle tension. While low level laser therapy stimulates your cells to repair tissue and reduce inflammation and pain.

Acupuncture can help to enhance the blood supply to the tissues, which in turn promotes the body’s natural healing process.”

Plus, Robin can give you a list of gentle exercises to help aid the mechanics in your hip and strengthen and stretch the muscles in the area, whilst giving advice as to what to avoid and positive things to aid recovery.

 

If you are really struggling with knee and hip pain, book in an appointment with Osteopath Robin Kiashek to see if we can get to the cause of your discomfort and get you back on the road to recovery.

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World Sleep Day – could a lack of sleep be making you fat?

On World Sleep Day we thought we’d examine to link between poor sleep and weight gain.

Sleep isn’t what necessarily springs to mind when it comes to addressing weight issues.  Blame is much more likely to be laid at the door of diet and exercise.

But, according to the NHS, people who sleep less than 7 hours a day tend to gain more weight and have a higher risk of becoming obese than those who hit that 7 hours.

So why might that be?

  • Tiredness makes you crave sugar and stodgy comfort food.
  • It impacts your willpower to make healthy choices.
  • You are less likely to have the energy (or inclination) for exercise.
  • A lack of sleep has been found to trigger a rise in the hormone ghrelin (closely related to hunger) and prompt decreased levels of leptin (associated with feeling full). This can lead to increased hunger and appetite, which makes overeating more likely.

As we explored in a previous blog – tackling a patient’s weight is not an easy topic for any Practitioner.  But experienced Osteopath, Robin Kiashek, feels it would be remiss of him to treat a musculoskeletal issue without discussing body weight in situations where the patient is clearly heavier than is healthy.

Robin says: “Whatever the problem that brings a patient to my door, I always take time to explore their lifestyle.  It’s vital if I’m going to address the problem effectively at its root.  These conversations may reveal poor lifestyle choices around food and exercise or habits that are impacting on the patient getting a full night’s sleep.  It’s very easy to get into bad habits without necessarily realising the potential physical impact they can have.”

So, how can you improve your night’s sleep?

We’ve covered how a lack of sleep can negatively impact you.  But what can you do on a practical level to improve your slumber?  Robin has a few tops tops:

  • Don’t go to bed on a full stomach – avoid heavy or large meals within a few hours of bedtime. They can lead to discomfort and keep you awake.
  • Avoid alcohol before bed – initially it may make you sleepy but can cause wakefulness after a couple of hours and make it difficult to get back off again.
  • Stop the stimulants – caffeine and nicotine are best avoided in the run up to bedtime. The effects of caffeine can last for up to 8 hours, so that late afternoon coffee could be causing a problem.
  • Create a calm environment – cool, dark and quiet are the ideal elements to promote a good night’s sleep.
  • Develop a wind down routine – calming activities such as taking a bath, reading a book or performing relaxation techniques could all aid sleep.
  • Timing is key – try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day to reinforce your body’s sleep/wake cycle.
  • Power down – switch off computers and phones at least an hour before bed.

And don’t forget the bed

Of course, you can have the best sleep routine in the world but if you’re trying to get your shut eye on a saggy mattress or pull-out bed then you may continue to struggle. Obviously not everyone has the budget for a top-of-the-line sleep station, but it is worth considering:

  • Pillow perfection – make sure your pillow is the correct size and firmness for you. It should fit snuggly into your neck and shoulders so that it fully supports your head.
  • Check that mattress – the recommended lifespan of a mattress is eight years so it might be time for a trip to the shops.
  • It’s all about the base – your mattress of choice also needs support. Placing a mattress on slats will impact how long it lasts. Consider investing in a divan – which is itself sprung – as a base for your mattress.

If you are feeling the effects of lack of sleep or perhaps have a musculoskeletal issue that’s keeping you awake, then why not book an appointment with Robin?

 

 

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Robin Kiashek, Osteopath, but not lone wolf!

You could be forgiven for thinking that working as a sole practitioner in Osteopathy is a lonely job. And for much of his day, experienced Osteopath, Robin Kiashek, is in individual patient consultations.  But that doesn’t make him a lone wolf!  In fact, during his 25+ years in practice he has built a network of valuable contacts and relationships with other medical professionals.

Part of a pack!

Which is particularly useful if he needs to refer a patient for further diagnostic tests.  Or get a valuable second opinion.

Equally, this wider network can (and does) also call on Robin’s skills.  Particularly around referred pain, the impact of stress and lifestyle on the body and understanding the root cause of an issue.  And this collaborative approach has certainly been in evidence in the past week.  As Robin explains:

“A Neurologist contacted me to see if I could be part of a multi-disciplinary team to review a very complex high-profile case.  Of course, I was delighted to be involved.”

The team comprised experts from several fields,  These included Neurology, Pain Management, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology.  This breadth of involvement and expertise was incredibly helpful.  It was immediately possible to see what had already been ruled out.

A new perspective

Luckily, Robin’s experience of working with complex cases – specifically those slow to respond to treatment  – enabled him to bring a new perspective to the process.  And he was delighted to subsequently receive an acknowledgement for his contribution from the Medical Director responsible for coordinating care.

Robin added: “It was so nice to be part of a wider collaborative team.  Also to have my contribution heard and valued by my peers.  I’m confident that our combined efforts will help towards a reduction in pain for this poor patient.”

Ask your Osteopath

When you choose an Osteopath, do ask about how and when they work with other professionals.  An open and collaborative approach can really enhance the care they provide.

As Robin says: “I am great fan of seeking out new opinions and working with others where necessary to provide the best outcome for my patients.

“Plus, whilst we professionals might like to pigeonhole issues under titles like Orthopaedics or Neurology, unfortunately humans are complex.  So, sometimes our issues need to sit across several disciplines if they are to be resolved effectively.”

If you’ve been struggling with an issue for a while, why not speak to Robin?  He can be contacted here. Or you can call 020 8815 0979.

 

 

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The connection between stress and disease

Stress can have wide, varied and long-lasting impacts on the body. And in some cases, stress can manifest itself in the body physically.  When this happens, it can be described as a psychosomatic disorder.

Defining psychosomatic disorders

The word psychosomatic comes from the mind (psyche) and the body (soma). It’s classified as a disease which involves both the body and the mind.

 

For years, leading osteopath Robin Kiashek has believed that some physical diseases can be made worse – and sometimes even caused – by mental factors such as anxiety, stress and depression.

 

Robin says: “I’ve written before about the impact of stress on our bodies. The same can be said for grief and how our unresolved issues of an emotional nature can weigh us down. I’m already fascinated in how emotional issues and lifestyle factors can impact on our physical wellbeing and the direct correlation with disease.”

 

And there’s researchers who share this same train of thought.

The correlation between stress and disease

 

Dr Gabor Maté, who is one of the most celebrated physicians and the leading expert in the role the mind-body connection plays in illness and health, conducted a talk, looking into the correlation between stress and disease.

 

During his talk, Dr Maté explored the role that stress and emotions play in an array of common diseases, including that of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.

A growing pattern

 

As Dr Maté said: “In the 1930s and 40s the gender ratio of multiple sclerosis, which is an inflammatory degenerative disease of the nervous system was one-to-one.  In other words, for every man, there was a woman diagnosed.

 

“It’s now two-and-a-half women to every man. Now that immediately tells us it can’t be genetic because genes don’t change in a population over seven decades or even 10 decades or longer. It also can’t be diet because that doesn’t change in a population, and diet during that time didn’t change more for women than it did men. Nor can it be the climate. There is something going on. And whatever it is, it can’t just be biological.”

 

This point was further examined by talking about the medicine used to treat a range of symptoms. He said: “When you look at how you treat asthma to open up the airways and suppress the inflammation, you give inhalers or medication which are copies of adrenalin and cortisol.”

‘Is it possible that stress has something to do with it?’

 

Adrenalin and cortisol are the stress hormones in the body.

Dr Mate continued: “So we’re treating asthma with stress hormones. How do we treat multiple sclerosis?

“If you have a flare up, you are going to get an infusion of the stress hormone, cortisol. If you’ve ever been to a dermatologist with a skin flare up, some kind of chronic psoriasis or chronic eczema – most of the time you are going to get a steroid cream – a copy of cortisol.

“If you go to a Rheumatologist for inflamed joints or connective tissues, guess what they are going to give you? Steroids – cortisol. In all autoimmune diseases, I could go on. So, here’s the interesting question we’re treating all these conditions with stress hormones. But we’re not asking ourselves the simple question  – is it possible that stress has something to do with the onset of this condition?”.

The direct correlation between stress and disease is something Robin will be looking into as he embarks on a 20-week training course on this topic.

Robin adds: “I’ve always been interested in the link between stress and disease and how they go hand in hand. So, it will be interesting to delve deeper into this topic to discover some of the latest and cutting edge research on this topic. Watch this space!”.

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We need to talk about obesity and the case of the bad back

Here at the Robin Kiashek Clinics, we take a holistic view when it comes to assessing patients’ problems.

Yes, you might have come to the clinic to see , with over 25 years clinical experience, about your sore knee, headache or painful arthritis. But to give these persistent problems the boot once and for all, it’s important to identify the underlying, causative factors.

“Which is why I take a holistic approach when it comes to a diagnosis,” Robin says.

“It helps to identify some of the causative factors, which can often be multifactorial. This in turn enables my patients to work towards improving their overall health. As well as reducing the chances of the symptoms returning in future.”

Back to backs

One health issue, which presents in osteopathic clinics, is lower back pain. We’ve spoken before about how persistent and often debilitating this problem can be.

 

And although back pain can be caused by a range of issues including stress (physical and/or emotional),  a workplace accident, a sporting injury or sometimes being referred pain from another area of the body – it can also be exacerbated, if not caused, by obesity.

 

Defining obesity

The most widely used method to check if you’re obese, is by measuring your body mass index (BMI).

 

The NHS defines someone as obese if they have a BMI of 30 to 39.9. And if your BMI is above 40, the NHS classes this as being severely obese.

 

Tipping the scales on bad backs

Obesity is nothing new, the World Health Organisation (WHO), believes obesity levels have nearly tripled since 1975.  In England, according to a 2021 government report, it’s believed 28% of adults are now obese.

 

And along with obesity causing potential life-threatening conditions like type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease, studies state that it can also cause back problems.

 

The links between obesity and back pain

Robin says: “Much has been said about the undue stress that obesity places on the spine, back and pelvis. And from a statistical point of view, I think the facts speak for themselves.”

A 2010 review, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, assessed data from 95 different studies and came to the conclusion that the risk of lower back pain was related to an increase in BMI.

While a 2017 study came to a similar conclusion.

 

Those difficult conversations

Unfortunately, weight has become a rather taboo subject in society.  And this can make Robin’s job a little more tricky. He says: “As we’ve established, there is often a link between back issues and obesity.

“And, in order to treat mechanical issues, I need to identify any lifestyle and environmental factors that could be adversely affecting my patient’s health.  This not only helps me to treat the problem but also assists me in working with them to prevent reoccurrence.”

Of course, sometimes these conversations can be difficult, and they may bring up a range of emotional issues.  It is at these times that Robin is able to draw on his expertise in allied therapies such as Life Coaching and NLP and Autogenic Training to help patients optimise their physical and mental wellbeing.

 

How osteopathy can help with back pain

If you are suffering with back pain, please do have your problem area checked out to determine the underlying cause and any contributing factors.

“Osteopathic treatment can help with some of the structural issues causing lower back pain, whilst perhaps guiding the patient to make more long-term changes in lifestyle factors,” Robin says. “It can do this through the use of soft tissue stretching, joint manipulation and the likes of resisted isometric muscle energy stretching.

“Patients want to know firstly what has caused their pain and whether they will get better.  My task as an osteopath is to understand both the short-term and in some cases, long-term factors which have contributed to the patient’s condition,” Robin says.

 

If you’re looking to take a holistic approach with your health worries, get in touch with Robin.

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Taking the scenic route in 2022

Well, we’re almost through the first month of 2022. I do hope that the year has been kind to all so far.  Much to my surprise, I find myself entering 2022 as a Peloton owner.  So, how did I arrive at static cycling?

Not fit for purpose

For many years, my exercise regime has consisted of regular cycling and swimming. I could be found in the pool at least three times a week doing my 60 lengths. But ironically, I overlooked the fact that what may have been ideal in exercise terms 20 years ago was potentially not quite right as I matured!  As a result, I managed to pick up a nasty knee injury. And, of course, I then continued to ignore my own advice and not take the appropriate time and patience to recover properly.  So, I started the year needing a drastic rethink!

I’m sure I’m not the only one responding with a raised eyebrow to the increasingly frequent Peloton adverts (other bikes are available!).  For me, exercise is important to maintain both physical and mental fitness. But I am far from being a zealot! The motivational shout outs from Lycra clad instructors and opportunities to high 5 others within a static cycling “community” left me rather cold!

Static cycling convert

But, what static cycling does provide is the opportunity to ease into exercise – or the return to it – in a measured and manageable fashion.  It can be low impact and you can stop at any time.  Plus, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  There are numerous options available, from the serious investment to the DIY home conversion kit.  If the latter is something that appeal then this is a useful article about what’s available.  And there are a variety of Apps that provide access to classes.

Despite some misgivings, I decided to take advantage of a New Year sale (and the fact that availability was temporarily improved in the wake of Big’s death) and opt for a Peleton.  And I’m delighted to report that there’s so much more to it than personal bests, fisting pumping and high fiving.  All of which can be extremely motivational to others I do accept!

I’ve discovered the opportunity to ‘cycle’ some beautiful routes.  Highway 101 (pictured) and different parts of Iceland being personal favourites.  The screen provides the scenery and I‘ve found it surprisingly easy to lose myself in the experience and the new sights.

So what’s the moral of this tale?

As with all good tales, there are several:

  • Now that we ‘ve got all the New Year’s Resolution business out of the way, it’s a good time to reassess your exercise regime. Is it still fit for purpose and fit for you?
  • Be open – both to new exercise regimes and to new experiences in general. I’m very pleased that I managed to set aside my irritation at the thought of group exercise from home!
  • Peleton – could we have an advert that leads on the opportunity for scenic solitary rides for those of us less invested in being part of a pack?

I’d be interested to hear from other Peleton owners and static bike users.  All recommendations for scenic rides (and maybe even the odd class) gratefully received.  But probably not with a high five!

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Grief and trauma – the physical impact

Grief and trauma

I recognise that it’s customary for Osteopaths to blog about the safest way to put up decorations and lift your turkey at this time of year.

But I thought we might take things in a slightly different direction. The festive season can be hard for those who have lost loved ones during the year. Certainly, 2021 has not been the best year for the Kiashek household.  We have sadly attended the funerals of six significant people in our lives since January.

So, I thought it might be useful to reflect upon grief and trauma generally, how they can impact us physically and how we can even be affected by things that happened long before our birth.

Much has been written about how to navigate the emotional side of the festive season if you are grieving.  I can highly recommend this piece from Marie Curie if you are looking for practical guidance. Or check out this wonderful TED Talk by Nora McInerny entitled: We don’t “move on” from grief. We move forward with it.

But grief can also impact our bodies physically and this is something I see often as an Osteopath.   We refer to emotional baggage for a reason.  It’s a catch all expression for how unresolved issues of an emotional nature can weigh us down.  And, just like if you were to carry actual heavy bags for a period of time, this can cause physical symptoms.  Some of the most common include:

Tightened muscles

Aches and pains can be a common physical symptom of grief. This could mean pain or stiffness in the back and/or joints. The pain is down to the surge of stress hormones being released during the grieving process.

Headaches

Stress, emotional issues and grief can often manifest as tension headaches.  Which can be worrying in themselves. I’ve written before about how Osteopathy can help ease the pain of these headaches

TMJ Disorder

Similar to the tightening of muscles in other parts of the body, Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw. It’s always worth exploring the patient’s lifestyle and any emotional issues as these can frequently be contributing factors.  This is another condition where Osteopathy can help to alleviate the symptoms.

As an Osteopath with 25 years’ experience, I have extensive experience in helping patients with issues like these.  But it’s not just our own emotional baggage that could be affecting us.  Perhaps we need to look even further back?

Family history can be far reaching

I am currently reading a fascinating book called Aftermath: A Granddaughter’s Story of Legacy, Healing & Hope by Allison Nazarian.

Allison grew up very close to her grandmother, who survived Bergen-Belsen, which was one of the Holocaust camps; her mother was born in Bergen-Belsen.  In the book, Allison explores her third-generation experience and looks at how her family’s history empowered and made resilient people like her grandmother, whose life was a triumph until she died in her 90s – but haunted and ultimately destroyed others, like Allison’s mother who took her own life at just 51.

“It made me who I am”

Allison explains: “I was close to my grandparents. They freely and graphically talked of their lives during the Holocaust. I absorbed their experiences. It was all I heard about. I was surrounded by the Holocaust; it was part of every story, every discussion, every day of my life.

“I was told, ‘they could come for us at any time, you have to be ready’. Even now, I have a ‘go bag’ with passports and essentials. There are certain things I have an irrational fear of running out of. It was only at 12 or 13 I realised not everyone’s grandparents were in the Holocaust. It made me who I am.”

Looking after our physical wellbeing

This all particularly resonates with me since my parents were survivors of the Jewish Holocaust. My father’s family were Hungarian Jews and survived Auschwitz. While my Catholic mother suffered the loss of her first husband during the Russian invasion of Hungary at the end of the year. The Holocaust has been a significant trauma which was simply not discussed in our family and which, I believe, impacted the whole family – even those not born at the time  – through emotional difficulties and communication issues.

In my work as an Osteopath, I’m already a great believer in how emotional issues and lifestyle factors can impact on our physical wellbeing.  But it’s fascinating to consider that we may need to examine looking even further into the past for answers to what ails us today.  Perhaps it’s worth looking at how our past, both physically and emotionally, can influence how our genes are expressed in the present day – this is the subject of Epigenetics, a topic I have written about before.

It would be fascinating to hear your thoughts and experiences around this topic so do please get in touch.

And in the meantime, let me revert to type and remind you to bend your knees when you lift that turkey!

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“You made me tell my story”: Why Men’s Health Awareness month is the perfect time to talk

Here’s a harrowing statistic: globally, men die on average five years earlier than women and it’s for reasons that are largely preventable.

 

That’s according to Movember, the leading UK charity changing the face of men’s health as we know it. By 2030, the good cause aims to reduce the number of premature deaths in men by 25%.

 

We need to talk

One of the main ways Movember is tackling the number of early deaths in men is by encouraging us all to open up and talk. Because as the charity puts it: we can’t afford to stay silent.

 

With the month of November marking Men’s Health Awareness Month, here at The Robin Kiashek Clinics, we wanted to talk about the benefits of speaking up about your health – be it in a mental or physical capacity.

 

If in doubt, check it out

It’s a well-documented fact that a great deal of men avoid going to see their doctor.

 

A 2019 survey that looked into how men approach their health and medical care, showed that 72% of respondents said they would rather be doing household chores, like cleaning toilets, than going to the doctor.

 

A further 65% of respondents said they avoid going to their GP for as long as possible. While 37% said they had withheld information from their doctors in the past, with many citing that they weren’t ready to deal with the potential diagnosis that might result if they told the truth.

 

“But all this medical avoidance and withholding of information doesn’t affect your GP,” Osteopath Robin Kiashek says. “The only person it affects, is you. By not sharing the problem you could be putting your own health at risk. More often than not, the earlier you address an issue the easier it is to solve – or at least stay on top of.”

 

A holistic approach is key

But that’s where Robin believes his holistic approach can be ideal. When a client comes to Robin’s treatment rooms, in Central London or North London, he takes a detailed case history including a full medical log. He asks about their symptoms, health problems and any medical care they have – or haven’t been – receiving.

 

Robin says: “This allows me to get to the root cause of the problem, rather than just paper over the cracks. By understanding the full history, I can help to not only heal specific conditions, but work towards improving a person’s overall health.

 

“My clients might book an appointment with me for one particular ailment or injury, but I often get them discussing issues much wider than what brought them to me initially.”

 

 “You invited me in to the process in a slightly intimidating way”

This was the case for one of Robin’s recent patients, who wrote to him after having a successful string of osteopathy sessions at his clinic.

 

The patient said: “You, through your skills, have greatly enhanced my quality of life. As you know, I had been to Osteopaths before and had ended up going for treatment every four to six weeks or when things got difficult. The attitude seemed to be that I had a crocked-up body (following a car crash and a fall) and that was that. Osteopathy seemed to serve to alleviate the hopeless symptoms.

 

“By luck, I was recommended to you and found an entirely different, holistic, approach. It was, to begin with, disturbingly collaborative. You wanted to know about the whole person and you wanted me to articulate how I felt, where the pain was, how it came and went and so forth. You wanted to know about my life and how it affected me. You wanted me to describe discomfort and tell the story. You were alarmingly perceptive and sometimes told me that I was presenting as being depressed, preoccupied or whatever. You made me tell my story.”

 

Robin has been working in the world of Osteopathy for more than 25 years.

 

He works with a range of people of different ages and backgrounds. So if you are suffering with an ongoing health problem and can’t get to the bottom of it, do get in touch with Robin. He would be happy to talk things through.

 

If you are suffering and need some general support, Mind offer advice and help to empower anyone experience a mental health problem. While the Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database which can connect you to local support services.

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When should I be worried about lower back pain?

Lower back pain really is exactly that – a massive pain in the back. Worldwide, the condition is believed to affect 540 million people. While in the UK, the debilitating problem affects around one-third of the adult population each year.

 

It can be caused by a range of wide and varied reasons. The pain might come on because you have suffered a strain or sprain. It could also be caused by bad posture or a sedentary lifestyle. But even stress can be another factor adding to the pain in your lower back as it can manifest physically as tightened muscles and thus add to the ache you are suffering.

 

So, when should you be worried about lower back pain?

Your spine is made of solid bony blocks reinforced by strong ligaments. It has a total of 40 muscles, with 20 muscle pairs on each side of your body. It is surprisingly difficult to damage. However, if lower back pain does occur, and it is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s worth a prompt trip to your GP.

The secondary symptoms to watch out for include:

  • A high temperature
  • Bladder problems
  • Weight loss

Keep calm and get it checked

If you are suffering with these added symptoms, it’s never too soon to get your back checked. However, it’s important that you try not to worry.

 

Lower back pain is rarely caused by anything serious. And as the NHS confirms, worrying will do you no good, as people who manage to stay positive despite their pain tend to recover quicker.

 

How osteopathy can help lower back pain

If you are suffering from back problems, osteopathic treatment can help with the improvement of physiological function. It can do this through the use of soft tissue stretching, joint manipulation and the likes of resisted isometric ‘muscle energy’ stretching. And there’s research to prove it.

 

A recent 2021 meta-analysis, which was published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine, saw researchers look into the effectiveness of osteopathic interventions in chronic non-specific low back pain. In the analysis, researchers conclude that: “Osteopathy is effective in pain levels and functional status improvements in non-specific chronic low back pain patients.”

 

Let’s get you back on the road to recovery

Robin Kiashek has been practicing Osteopathy for more than 25 years. In that time, he has trained in various additional complementary disciplines to extend the options he can offer his patients – including those suffering with lower back pain. These include:

  • Western Medical Acupuncture – this is an effective form of pain relief because as confirmed by this study*, acupuncture can enhance peripheral blood flow which helps to heal wounds faster.
  • Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – this has long been used in the field of osteopathy and is widely available for the treatment of pain, the healing of wounds and musculoskeletal conditions – like low back pain. It provides a highly effective needle-free acupuncture medium as it uses low power laser light to alter cellular function, improve outcomes and speed up your body’s natural healing process.

 

The moral of the (lower back pain) story

If in doubt, check it out. Get in touch with your GP or speak to Robin who could help you get to the root cause of the issue.

 

Robin works in a holistic manner so will take a full medical and lifestyle history to get a proper understanding of the issue that brought you to his clinic.

 

This, combined with a physical examination enables him to devise a treatment plan tailored to you.

 

*Reference:
Yang, Cheng-Chan, Wei-You Zhuang, and Hsien-Tsai Wu. “Assessment of the impact of acupuncture on peripheral blood flow with multi-channel photoplethysmography.” In Electron Devices and Solid-State Circuits (EDSSC), 2014 IEEE International Conference on, pp. 1-2. IEEE, 2014.

 

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O is for Osteopaths and Orthotics

Osteopaths deal with the whole body. From the head right down to the toes, they treat specific conditions as well as working towards improving your overall health.

While orthotics are shoe inserts that correct biomechanical foot issues.

For the past 25 years, Osteopath Robin Kiashek has treated a number of ailments –  including those relating to feet. And, over the years, he has been able to work with a range of healthcare professionals to place his patients at the forefront of care.

 

Referring a specialist

 

One professional in Robin’s network is Christophe Champs, a consultant in Podiatry and Biomechanics and founder of London-based PODO, which specialises in same-day orthotics.

Robin refers patients to Christophe should their lower limb issues require additional expertise or when he feels they could benefit from some orthotic help.

That’s because, as Robin puts it: “There is a relationship between the biomechanics of the feet and the pelvic region, as there is a ‘closed chain’ between feet and pelvis.

“If there are imbalances in the pelvis, it is important to check the feet for dropped arches and/or a change in foot biomechanics. Or if someone is suffering with achilles tendinitis, I can refer them for specialist orthotic advice.”

 

So what does PODO specialise in?

 

Christophe says: “Essentially, PODO centres on same day orthotics, creating bespoke orthotics within a single 90-minute appointment using a range of thermo-mouldable materials.”

Rather than sending foot casts over to factories, Christophe moulds the orthotics, layer by layer, directly onto a patient’s foot, so you can walk away with them at the end of your appointment.

Christophe continues: “I think of the PODO Clinic and Workshop as a garage for the human body, offering a full MOT to ultimately result in a healthier, and pain-free lifestyle.”

 

How can orthotics help you?

 

Christophe tells us: “Orthotics don’t solely affect your feet, but your knees, hip, back, and neck too, positively impacting your entire body.

“Depending on your requirement, and lifestyle we have two different types of orthotics. This includes:

  • Short orthotics (3/4 length)

“This leaves the toe area free,” Christophe says. “Short orthotics are deal for dressy or casual shoes with little or no volume inside available. I’d recommend these for golfers and weightlifters.”

  • Long orthotics (full length)

“This is ideal for casual shoes and sport trainers,” Christophe tells us. “It tends to be runners, cyclists, and skiers’ favourite set type.”

 

A final word from Robin

 

“It’s fantastic to have Christophe’s expertise as part of my patient care toolbox. Sometimes patients present with problems relating to their knee, calf or pelvis. These are in fact because of the biomechanics of their foot.

“They might have too much pronation, or a collapsed arch. But with some osteopathic treatment and orthotics, we can get them back on their feet again.”

 

Get in touch

If you are looking to restore the normal function of your body, get in touch with Robin. Whether it’s a head, back or foot problem, Robin is able to improve a range of ailments.

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