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The one thing you can do to help ‘futureproof’ your health

Futureproof your health

This month the government released its 10 Year Health Plan for England, called Fit for the Future*. 

In it, the government has set out its hope is to reinvent the NHS through three radical shifts. 

The first includes changing the service from hospital-led to community, so more care is available on people’s doorsteps and in their home. The second shift will take the NHS into the 21st century, by switching from an analogue service to a digital service. And the third change is to move from a system that treats sickness to a preventative one, by reaching patients earlier. 

Prevention is better than cure

As an Osteopath and Naturopath with just under 30 years’ experience in the sector, the latter shift is a point that really resonates with me. 

Osteopathy involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of muscle, joint and skeletal conditions, and where possible — without the need for surgery or drugs. 

It works by helping to restore your body’s natural functions using non-invasive hands-on techniques and by working closely with your lifestyle to help minimise or even resolve your symptoms and improve your overall health. 

This can help to future proof your health as you’ll be taking proactive steps now to maintain and improve your wellbeing in the long term.

‘Futureproofing’ your health has become quite the buzzword in recent years. To do so, some people swear by fad diets which promise quick fixes. While others turn to supplements without addressing broader lifestyle factors. 

But, when you strip it all back, I think futureproofing your health is a lot simpler than it seems. In my opinion, optimising wellbeing for longevity starts by taking responsibility for your own health. 

 

To futureproof your health

One question I always ask patients is: ‘Do you only brush your teeth just before you go to the dentist?’. 

For (hopefully) all of us, the answer to that question will be ‘no’. That’s because from an early age we are often taught about preventative dental care. 

Whereas, generally speaking, when it comes to our overall health, unless someone is suffering from physical symptoms, be it back pain, shin splints, headaches or knee and hip pain, nothing is done to build resilience for long-term wellbeing. 

 

How to take responsibility of your own health

Of course, you won’t be able to bubble wrap yourself and prevent every ache or pain. But I believe that taking your health into your own hands empowers you to make informed and proactive decisions about your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

For example, simple steps to better your overall wellbeing could include: 

  • Engaging in 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity activity a week, as per the NHS’ guidelines**. This could be split into 30 minute chunks over the course of five days of the week. 
  • Getting enough quality sleep.
  • Consuming a balanced diet that’s personalised to you.
  • Managing stress levels. I understand that this is sometimes easier said than done, but this could achieved by implementing all of the above factors or completing autogenic training. 

By taking responsibility for your own health you can prevent many chronic diseases (like Type 2 diabetes and obesity) before they start. 

And when you’re in tune with your body, you’re more likely to notice early signs of illness and seek help before problems become serious.

 

If you would like further information on how I may help you with any aches or pains, autogenic training or you would like to book an Osteopathy appointment, please feel free to contact me or call me on 020 8815 0979.

*https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future

**https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/

 

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Becoming the ‘poster boy’ for Dr Michael Mosley’s The Fast 800

Prehypertension, Borderline Diabetes & Dr Michael Mosley’s Fast 800


In March 2024, when my GP diagnosed me with prehypertension (i.e having blood pressure that’s slightly higher than normal) and as being borderline diabetic, warning bells started to ring. 

Known as the ‘silent killer’, hypertension often has no symptoms but it can lead to serious conditions like kidney disease, stroke and heart attack.

At the same time, my weight had crept up and my Body Mass Index (BMI) was above the ‘healthy’ 18.5 to 24.9 threshold, and closer to 30 — which, in the eyes of the NHS, meant I was ‘borderline obese’. My weight was 14 stone 2lbs (90Kg).

Both diagnoses came just a month after my older sister passed away. And, with a history of cardiovascular disease running in the family, it was another stark reminder of life’s finite nature.

Prevention is better than cure

 

The signs were there. I needed to take responsibility for my own health and not leave it in the hands of others. While I’m not against medication, my work as a Naturopath has helped my patients achieve wellbeing through natural methods and treatments, minimising the need for drugs. So it was time to lead by example. 

With the encouragement of my enlightened GP, I decided to follow the late Dr Michael Mosley’s The Fast 800 and six months on, I haven’t looked back.

What is the Fast 800?

Launched in 2018, the idea is simple: to help you achieve weight loss for better health, improve blood sugar levels, reduce risk of chronic illness and help you make better choices for your long-term health.

The programme has three different approaches. The Very Fast 800, The New 5: 2 or Way of Life. I chose the Very Fast 800 which involves consuming 800 calories a day for up to 12 weeks before transitioning to The New 5:2, which is a much longer-term approach. 

The New 5:2 involves ‘fasting days’ where you eat around 800 calories a day, twice a week and ‘sensible’ portions of moderately low-carb Mediterranean style food for the remaining five days. 

Once you sign up, you get access to more than 600 recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, meal plans, weekly shopping lists and exercise plans, like high intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions, resistance training and stretching. 

Poster boy for Dr Micheal Moseley’s Fast 800

Of course, this lifestyle change won’t be necessary or right for everybody. I’m in the very fortunate position of having a supportive wife at home who takes on all the shopping and cooking this plan entails. But it certainly hasn’t been plain sailing. 

There were times when I felt hungry. But the death of my sister and my own diagnosis was the impetus to keep going. Instead of reaching for my usual snack bar, bowl of cereal after dinner or glass of expensive apple juice, I’d eat a low calorie swap, like an apple. 

Now my breakfasts involve a bowl of bircher muesli, topped with fresh fruit and nuts. While lunches and dinners have included the likes of protein-rich lentil salads and hearty miso soups. 

Since March 2024 I’ve gone from 14 stone 2lbs to 11 stone 7lbs, and I’ve lost 7 inches from my waist. My BMI now sits at 25.1 and under the guidance of my GP, who described me as the ‘poster boy’ for Michael Moseley, my blood pressure is entirely normal and I’ve stopped all my hypertension medication (and I haven’t increased my exercise). I am no longer pre-diabetic!

Plus, according to my wife, I no longer snore. And above all, I feel great. 

 

The answers are within us

It’s important to note: I don’t believe in diets. Contrary to what today’s ‘diet-culture’ will have you believe, dieting is not just about losing weight. 

Instead, diets — or as I prefer to call them, lifestyle changes — include changing our relationship to food, and understanding your own triggers without self-sabotaging during moments of stress or trauma. Plus, not only do lifestyle changes have to be achievable, but they have to work long-term. 

Six months on, I feel proud to have achieved better health, with the help of my wife and to be ‘the poster boy for Michael Moseley’. And it’s why I’m now encouraging my patients to reclaim their health. 

Whether it’s moving more and sitting less, getting enough quality sleep, or making positive lifestyle changes that impact your health for the better — like consuming a balanced diet. 

 

Medical disclaimer: if you are thinking of changing your medication or embarking on a significant weight loss program, please speak to your GP first.

 

Robin Kiashek has more than 30 years’ experience as an Osteopath. Alongside his Classical Osteopathy work, where he can help with mechanical issues like general, acute & chronic backache and back pain, Naturopath Robin is trained in Western Medical Acupuncture, Low Level Laser Therapy and the Perrin Technique for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME. 

Robin is committed to helping his patients achieve physical and emotional wellbeing. So if you are struggling with any ongoing pain, get in touch with Robin today.

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Sleep solutions, snorkels and osteopathic techniques: How Osteopaths can get your health back on track

You might be wondering how ‘snorkels’ and ‘Osteopaths’ would ever appear in the same sentence. But having worked as an Osteopath for more than 25 years, Robin Kiashek is no stranger to looking at the bigger picture. Especially when it comes to the topic of health.

At Robin’s London clinics, one appointment could be spent tending to a patient’s chronic back pain. While the next could see him help long Covid patients using the Perrin Technique™.

“When you’re an osteopath, every day is different,” Robin says.

One case which shows the breadth and depth of an Osteopath’s skills was the case of Patient X – who reported a 40% improvement just one week after visiting Robin.

 

The problem

Patient X was referred to Robin by a neurologist.  They presented with intermittent nausea and feelings of constant imbalance. The patient also experienced daily headaches.

 

The medical history

Along with chronic lower back pain, Patient X has a history of tinnitus – a horrible ringing sensation in one both ears.

There was a history of imbalance which would last several minutes when open water swimming. So much so, Patient X would have to lift their head out of the water frequently to see where they were going.

“It would take a day for the patient to recover from the general sense of unwellness and dizziness,” Robin recalls.

 

The diagnosis?

Robin says: “I believe that Patient X’s imbalance resulted from sub-occipital vertebral artery compression.  Which can be exacerbated by cervical extension – as noted with open water swimming.

“The irritation of these nerves during cervical extension, can cause the diaphragm to contract,” Robin explains. “As the stomach sits superior to the diaphragm, any contraction of the diaphragm will cause undue pressure on the stomach, resulting in a sense of nausea.”

 

The treatment?

Robin focused on releasing Patient X’s mid thoracic misalignment, where cervical active movements emanate from, using gentle osteopathic technique.

He avoided direct treatment to the patient’s neck.  Instead, he used medical acupuncture to the trapezii region and to the right pelvic imbalance.

Robin also suggested that Patient X uses a snorkel and mask when swimming, to avoid cervical extension, and invest in a new pillow.

 

The progress speaks for itself

Just one week later, Patient X reported a general 40% subjective improvement.

“Patient X’s imbalance was no longer constant,” Robin says. “The patient also only experienced one headache. After buying a snorkel, mask and a new pillow – Patient X was left feeling a good deal better.”

 

If you are suffering with any kind of health problem, whether it’s headaches, stomach pains, or mobility issues, don’t hesitate to call Robin or book in for an initial consultation.

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Having Osteopathy? Here’s what to expect at your first appointment

There are many reasons why you might visit an Osteopath.

Whether it’s a back, joint, or stress-induced condition, or more specific workplace or sporting injury – Osteopathy can help improve a range of ailments.

Robin Kiashek  is an Osteopath with more than 25 years’ experience in his field. He says: “Using a range of techniques, Osteopaths can reduce pain, increase joint mobility, relieve muscle tension and enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, to help the body’s own healing mechanism.”

Maybe you have already booked an appointment with an Osteopath or are planning to – either way, here’s what to expect from your initial consultation to your patient discharge.

 

Visiting an Osteopath

On the first visit, your Osteopath will take a detailed case history including a full medical history, information about your symptoms, health problems and any medical care you have been receiving.

Depending on the location of the problem, this is followed by a physical examination during which they will ask you to undergo various movements in a bid to reproduce your symptoms.

To help understand the problem at hand, an Osteopath will use a combination of visual analysis and touch (or palpation). They may also use orthopaedic tests and occasionally refer for further x-ray or MRI investigation to help form a diagnosis.

 

At the end of first consultation

Once a diagnosis has been reached, your Osteopath will give you a full explanation and treatment plan. A treatment will be included in the initial Osteopathic consultation, assuming it’s safe to do so.

Robin adds: “I take on a more holistic approach, treating musculoskeletal disorders relating to muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, cartilage, tendons and the general skeletal system. But I’ll also identify underlying causative factors. So I’ll work with you to help heal your specific condition/s and work towards preventing this from happening again.”

The treatment plan will let you know what aggravating factors to avoid and will include lifestyle advice to help you do so.

 

Length of Consultation

Generally speaking, your first consultation will last around 45 minutes with any subsequent visits lasting for half an hour.

However, please do note that these appointment lengths may vary as some conditions need extra time and some require less.

Robin says: “The important thing to remember is that each session is dependent on the individual patient. Therefore, each treatment is tailored to a patient’s specific problem.”

 

How many treatments will you need?

Resolving acute pain can be relatively easy.  However, understanding how and why the pain came about is more difficult.

Robin says: “Unfortunately Osteopathy can be seen as a ‘quick fix’ for both acute and chronic pain. Yes, it can resolve pain quickly but so can taking painkillers. I believe that unless we understand why the pain started – whether it be physical, postural and or emotional or even nutritional – there can be an increased probability of pain returning.

“I find that underlying many acute problems there is a history of physical and/or emotional patterns, which the patient may not always be aware of.”

Which is why, there is no one answer fits all to this question.

Robin adds: “Some patients can have two or three treatments, while others will need a few more to help put them on the road to recover and rid these underlying patterns once and for all.”

 

If you are suffering with any kind of health problem, whether it’s headaches, stomach pains, or mobility issues, don’t hesitate to call Robin or book in for an initial consultation.

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To treat, or not to treat? That is the question for Osteopaths

The title of this blog is not just a play on words from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. It is also the question that most Osteopaths ask themselves each time they see a new patient.

Osteopaths take a holistic approach when it comes to treating musculoskeletal disorders relating to muscles, ligaments, nerves joints cartilage, tendons and the general skeletal system.

They also identify any underlying factors to get to the root cause of the problem. Which is why Osteopathy can not only help ease specific conditions, but also work towards improving your overall health.

 

Extensive training

 

Osteopaths are trained to degree level, with courses usually lasting four or five years.  These are a combination of academic studies, research and more than 1,000 hours of hands-on patient-facing training.

An important part of the training is about establishing whether the symptoms that patients present with require further medical investigation or a referral.

Registered Osteopath Robin Kiashek graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Osteopathic Medicine. He has since gone on to add a number of other qualification strings to his bow. Robin said: “I work with patients to address their presenting symptoms and understand causative factors to promote ongoing health.

“Much of my initial process is around ruling out other pathologies. As a member of the General Osteopathic Council – the body that promotes patient safety by setting, maintaining and developing standards of osteopathic practice and conduct – I am committed to helping my patients achieved optimal physical and emotional wellbeing.”

 

Referral required

 

At an initial consultation Robin spends around 30 minutes taking a detailed patient history.  This includes physical and emotional lifestyle factors.  Then he moves on to a physical examination.

And if there any indicators that further investigation or medical involvement would be appropriate then he won’t hesitate to make a referral.

For example, earlier this year, a patient came to Robin after two trips to a local hospital with lower back and abdominal pain. Both times she had been sent home without being examined and painkillers had been prescribed.

Robin explains: “I conducted a physical examination and it was immediately clear that this pain was not going to be cured by painkillers.  I wrote a letter referring the patient to A&E. The diagnosis was eventually a stone in the ureter. And that required follow-up treatment.”

 

Face to face with your Osteopath

 

Osteopaths are classed as key workers. Therefore, Robin has been able to keep both his clinics open during lockdown. He adheres to all government guidelines of course and, being a sole practitioner, patients are not sitting in a crowded waiting room.

 

Obviously, changes and concessions to face to face medical appointments had to be made during the past year.  But it’s reassuring for patients to know that face to face Osteopathy is still available should they be in pain.  And that Osteopaths not only have the skills to provide treatment but also the training to know when to refer.

 

So, patients really are in safe hands.

 

If you are in pain then don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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The difference between an Osteopath and Chiropractor

‘What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?’

A frequently asked question for many Osteopaths.

There are a handful of similarities between the two professions, but also differences in terms of their philosophy, patient assessment and the way they treat patients. And it’s useful to understand how each operates when you are considering treatment.

 The philosophy of Osteopaths

Osteopaths deal with the whole body.

They take on a more holistic approach, treating musculoskeletal disorders relating to muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, cartilage, tendons and the general skeletal system.

They also identify underlying, causative factors.  So, Osteopathy can not only help to heal specific conditions but also work towards improving your overall health.

Osteopaths will consider where the root cause of your problem may be originating.  For example, a patient may be suffering with facial pain, but this could be stemming from a problem in their neck.  Which is, in turn, related to the function of the upper back, which is dependent to some extent on the biomechanics of their lower back. And their lower back is linked to the pelvic area – so they could be suffering with possible issues in their knees or feet.

Osteopath Robin Kiashek, who has more than 25 years’ experience said: “To help my patients understand the difference, I encourage them to think about house subsidence. London’s housing stock is built on clay, and during the hot summer months it is not uncommon to find the older properties developing cracks in the upper floors. One option is to fill in the cracks every year. But the problem is to do with ground movement below the house.

“Therefore, to solve the problem once and for all, Osteopaths generally address those underlying factors. In other words, they will, of course, fill in the cracks. But they will also address the movement below the house.”

The philosophy of Chiropractors

Chiropractors primarily focus on the spine.

Generally speaking, Chiropractors believe that spinal misalignment is the root cause of their patient’s back symptoms. The spinal cord is simply an extension of the brain, and according to chiropractic belief, slight misalignment of a vertebra will affect the spinal nerves coming off the spinal cord.

Chiropractors believe that manipulation of the displaced vertebra, will address the spinal nerve compression and hence associated muscle or organ involvement.

Assessment with Osteopaths

At the initial consultation, Osteopaths will take a case history of the patient’s problem. This is followed by a physical examination during which they will ask the patient to undergo various movements in a bid to reproduce their symptoms.

The Osteopath will use a combination of visual analysis and touch (or palpation) to understand the problem at hand. They may also use orthopaedic tests and occasionally refer for further x-ray or MRI investigation to help form a diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been reached, an Osteopath will give the patient a full explanation and a treatment plan. A treatment will be included in the initial Osteopathic consultation, assuming it is safe to do so.

The treatment plan will let the patient know what aggravating factors to avoid and will include lifestyle advice to help them do so.

Assessment with a Chiropractor

At a Chiropractor’s initial consultation, they will usually come to diagnosis from the use of x-rays, focussing largely on the spinal integrity. On the second visit, the patient will be informed of the Chiropractor’s diagnosis and on the third visit, treatment will commence.

Treatment: what to expect with an Osteopath

After the initial consultation, treatment will begin, and most Osteopaths will then see patient once a week for half an hour.

Treatments may include gentle soft tissue release through massage, joint mobilisation and gentle conservative spinal manipulation. In addition, Robin Kiashek may use a range of allied therapies including Western Medical Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy.

Treatment: what to expect with a Chiropractor

Chiropractors are more well known for focusing on the spinal adjustments or clicking which may not be as gentle as Osteopathic treatment. The Chiropractor will focus primarily on the lower and upper back and neck.

Chiropractors tend to see their patients ‘little and often’. Treatments themselves normally last around 15 minutes. But they may see their patients two to three times a week.

A final word from Robin

Robin added: “In addition to the difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractic outlined above, it’s important to remember that each Osteopath and Chiropractor will practice in their own unique way.  They may have particular specialisms or areas of interest.  So, don’t’ be afraid to do your research – practitioners will be more than happy to answer your questions.”

If you are in pain or have any questions about how Osteopath, Robin Kiashek, could be of benefit,  then please get in touch. Osteopaths are deemed as essential workers. Therefore, they can continue to treat patients through lockdown and patients are permitted to seek medical help. Robin Kiashek is fully compliant with Government regulations re PPE.

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