Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine and the first recorded instance of acupuncture dates back about two thousand years. In traditional Chinese medicine, many conditions are thought to be caused by an imbalance in the Yin and Yang – the opposite forces in the body. The insertion of needles in specific positions in the body opens up the channels through which Qi – energy – flows, restoring the balance and curing the condition.

Modern day medicine takes a different approach to why acupuncture works. It’s thought that the insertion of very fine needles can stimulate nerves endings, which changes the way the brain functions, especially when it comes to dealing with pain.

What does an acupuncturist treat?

Acupuncture can be used to help with a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including:

Joint and muscular conditions such as arthritis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, rheumatism and general aches and pains;

Respiratory conditions including asthma, sinusitis, hay fever, pleurisy and recurring colds/flu;

Menstrual problems such as heavy periods, pre-menstrual syndrome and infertility;

Headaches, migraines and neuralgias;

Stress, depression and insomnia;

Digestive problems like constipation, IBS, food intolerances and ulcers;

Other conditions including sciatica, cystitis, acne and ME.

Acupuncture can also be used to help lessen the withdrawal symptoms when giving up smoking.

What happens when you go to see an acupuncturist?

When you first visit an acupuncturist, they will ask you lots of questions to get a detailed picture of your condition. They may ask you about your diet, exercise, lifestyle, menstrual cycle, sleeping pattern and emotional wellbeing as well as taking down your medical history.

The acupuncturist may also take your pulse and pay special attention to your tongue, as the condition and colour of it can help with diagnosis.

Once they have all this information, your acupuncturist will diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy so you may be asked to make other changes to your lifestyle – such as altering your diet or exercise routine – to make sure you get the best results from your acupuncture treatment.

Most acupuncture programmes will last initially for six weeks, with one treatment each week. After this period your progress will be reviewed and you may need to continue with weekly or fortnightly treatments for a while longer. However, some people do find their condition clears completely within six weeks.

What happens during acupuncture therapy?

Your treatment will involve the acupuncturist inserting very fine, single use sterilised needles into various acupuncture spots around your body. There are around 500 acupuncture spots, and the ones that need stimulation to treat your condition will not necessarily be close to the area causing the problem. Don’t be surprised if you have needles inserted in your lower leg or hand to treat a migraine problem!

You may have up to 12 needles inserted during your treatment, and they can be inserted just a few millimetres or several centimetres, and removed immediately or left in position for up to thirty minutes, depending on the location and the condition being treated. Most acupuncture spots are in the lower arms or legs, so try to wear loose fitting clothing that gives easy access to these areas.

The insertion of the acupuncture needles can cause a tingling sensation or a dull ache, but it’s not normally painful, and some people find it relaxing. After your treatment you may feel tired or drowsy, so you might want to consider having someone else drive you home.

How do I find an Acupuncturist or Acupuncture Clinic in the UK?

Search online via your postcode via Therapy Advertising at http://therapyadvertising.com for a quick and simple way to locate local treatment options.

Osteopathy works on the principle that the individual cells, tissues and organs of the body are inter-related and they all need to work together for optimal health. The body is designed to self-regulate and has the ability to repair, remodel and defend itself – it sometimes just needs a little encouragement, especially following a trauma or injury. Osteopaths use touch and manipulation to diagnose and treat problems caused by misalignment of the spine, joints and connective tissues. The manipulation can also have a beneficial effect on other functions such as the nervous system and blood circulation, by releasing pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

What does an osteopath treat?

Osteopaths treat a wide range of conditions affecting the skeletal form, such as muscle and joint strains, restricted mobility, arthritis, back and neck pain, sciatica and sporting injuries. Because osteopathy also affects the nervous system and blood and lymph circulation, it can also be used to treat migraines, fatigue, sinusitis, headaches, jaw problems and digestive and breathing difficulties. In pregnancy, osteopathy can help with problems caused by the resulting stretching of tissues and altered posture, and treatment can be continued until the beginning of the third trimester.

What happens when you go to see an osteopath?

On your first visit to an osteopathic clinic, the osteopath will take a full medical history and examine you to get an accurate picture of your condition so they can determine whether osteopathy is suitable for you. If it is, a programme of treatment will be designed, and you will be given an estimate of the number of sessions you will need. If the osteopath does not think you are likely to benefit from the treatment, he or she will advise you on how to seek further medical care. Osteopathy is patient-centred, meaning the treatment is tailored to each individual.

Patient’s history: The osteopath will ask you about your symptoms and also find out as much as possible about your diet and lifestyle.

Examination: The osteopath will examine your posture, spine and limbs carefully, and may ask you to make some simple movements to assist with the diagnosis. This could involve you removing some clothing in order for the osteopath to view your movement clearly, though you will be given a gown to wear. The osteopath will use a system of light touching – called palpation – to determine areas of weakness that are causing your symptoms. They may also need to refer you for blood tests or x-rays to fully diagnose your condition.

What happens during osteopathic treatment?

During treatment, the osteopath will manipulate your joints to free any “locked” bones or vertebrae. The manipulation can range from gentle release techniques and rhythmic motions to high velocity thrusts. They may also apply pressure to your spine or gently stretch your muscles and the connective tissues. The treatment is not usually painful, though if you are already in a lot of pain you may feel some discomfort. You may hear a clicking noise when joints or vertebrae are “unlocked”, though.

Usually you will need between 4 and 6 sessions to complete your treatment, though it could be more or less depending on a number of factors, including how long you have suffered from the condition.

How do I find an Osteopathic Clinic/Osteopath in the UK?

Search online via your postcode via Therapy Advertising at http://therapyadvertising.com for a quick and simple way to locate local treatment options.

The UK Therapy Clinic directory operated online via www.therapyadvertising.com is now available in a mobile form from this fantastic little app. It is smooth and simple allowing you to pop in your postcode and choose the therapy you require, search and the options are presented to you in map format to source your nearest local clinic option.

Combined with the functionality of your i-Phone you can use the contact details there and then to email or phone the clinic to book straight in.

Easy swift access to clinics when you need it, a great app for keeping on your i-Phone for when a sports injury , back problem or neck pain strikes.

The App can be downloaded via the link here - it is worth encouraging anyone with an i-Phone to have this handy little app sitting there in the background…

Therapists in the UK can advertise online via Therapy Advertising for a small annual charge and will be included in the online database which holds listings for Acupuncture, Bowen Therapists, Chiropodists, Chiropractors, Nuritionists, Occupational Therapists, Osteopaths, Orthotists, Physiotherapists, Pilates, Podiatrists, Sports Massage & Sports Therapists.

If you are a UK therapist or clinic with any of the above options details of advertising online can be found here, join the easy to use and popular advertising option now accessible from this new app.

I successfully submitted an abstract of my student research project to COT and, by winning a place to attend the conference, was able to give a short presentation to a group of peers at the student paper session. This was a challenging yet rewarding learning experience which, following positive feedback, has encouraged me to submit abstracts for future conferences.

A personal highlight of the conference included hearing Mary Law’s opening address: ‘Occupation, Evidence & Outcomes: The Future of Our Profession.’ This inspiring talk which focused on client-centred practice and research reiterated the importance of using meaningful outcome measures to demonstrate and inform effective practice and promote the profession. Further highlights included the opportunity to network with fellow students and practitioners with similar interests at specialist section meetings and the chance to hear about and critically consider the most up-to-date occupational therapy research and practice innovations at paper sessions. The exhibition, posters and inclusion of 3 different specialist section conferences ensured that I was able to access information on a wide range of topics relevant to occupational therapy. I found this particularly useful as a student to help improve my knowledge about different areas of practice.

The conference ended with a powerful and moving speech from Matt Ward, a mental health service user who described his experiences of bipolar disorder and the instrumental impact that occupational therapy had on his journey towards receiving a diagnosis and managing his condition. This provided a superb conclusion to a busy and inspiring 3 days and left me with a renewed enthusiasm for the profession and a strong reminder of why I have chosen occupational therapy as a career.

Attending this conference, both as a delegate and presenter has enabled me to keep up to date with current, relevant research and practice. Attending a range of sessions and visiting a variety of exhibitor stalls has increased my awareness of occupational therapy theory, equipment, guidelines and approaches that can be used in a range of practice settings. I have also gained specific knowledge relevant to Occupational Therapy for individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, an area I hope to work in, which will prove useful in my future practice and when writing up my MSc research project.

CB won this student conference place via Therapy Advertising who hold online CPD  and course listings for therapy staff – visit http://therapyadvertising.com to see a large range of courses advertised online.

We know from paintings from ancient Egypt and Greece that the treatment we call chiropractic was used thousands of years ago. However, modern chiropractic was not founded until 1895 by Daniel David Palmer in the United States.

Today, chiropractors are specially educated in treating the joints and muscles of the body with their hands.

As of June 2001 the term ‘chiropractor’ is protected by law – anyone referring to themselves as a chiropractor has to be registered with theGeneral Chiropractic Council.   The title ‘Dr’, as used by a chiropractor, is a courtesy title and should not imply a medical qualification.

What happens when you go to see a chiropractor?

The purpose of the examination is to decide whether the problem qualifies for chiropractic treatment and also to make as precise a diagnosis as possible.

What is chiropractic treatment?

Treatment at a chiropractor is usually painless and, contrary to popular belief, seems completely normal and undramatic.

The chiropractor will choose the most appropriate treatment for the patient’s problem.

Training

An important part of chiropractic treatment is to teach the patient how to take care of their own body. The patient may be given a programme of exercises to be done at home.

Recent research shows that special training under supervision from educated personnel is valuable for patients with persistent pains in their back and neck.

This kind of training now forms part of the treatment offered by many chiropractors.

Prevention

Once the problem has been relieved, it’s important to prevent similar problems arising in the future. The chiropractor will talk to the patient to identify any strains that their body is exposed to, eg at work, home or playing sport.

It may be necessary for the chiropractor to contact the person’s work place or sports club. Aids or supports may also need to be purchased.

What does a chiropractor treat?

Most people will consult a chiropractor because of pains in their back and neck. But poor functioning of the muscles and joints can affect people in many ways.

The nervous system may also be affected and this can cause other symptoms, such as headaches from tension, sciatica and pains in the legs, chest or stomach.

Badly functioning joints and muscles may cause pains in areas other than where the problem is situated. These are called referred pains. The chiropractor also treats referred pain in, for example, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and feet.

How do I find a Chiropractic Clinic/Chiropractor in the UK?

Search online via your postcode via Therapy Advertising at http://therapyadvertising.com for a quick and simple way to locate local treatment options.

Sports Massage is a specific type of massage used before, during and after athletic events which aims to drain away fatigue, relieve swelling and muscle tension as well as promote flexibility and prevent injuries. The purpose of this is to prepare the athlete for peak performance – this may be at a high level of competition or just for an individual aiming to keep fit with regular running or gym sessions. Sports Massage covers the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body which include muscles and ligaments.

During over exertion &/or overuse minor stresses can occur within the soft tissues, relief of this build up of stress using sports massage can remove strain on the musculoskeletal system and therefore prevent injuries occuring. Without the restoration of this musculoskeletal balance performance can be affected as well as causing the athlete considerable discomfort – early intervention from a Sports Massage Therapist can considerably influence a positive outcome.

If you are a serious sportsman or woman or just a ‘keep fitter’ it is worth investigating the benefits of sports massage to your musculoskeletal system as well as the rest of your body – find your local Sports Massage Therapist online with our quick and easy postcode search via http://therapyadvertising.com

This has been a project being investigated for a while but this is now going ahead and provides an exciting move forward in the development of our Therapists database. Therapy Advertising continues to see excellent growth in the number of clinicians and practices listed online and fantastic numbers of searches for these clinics.

Our provision of a search choice enables those seeking local Therapy options to choose from the profession they require – Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, Chiropody, Chiropractic, Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Osteopathy, Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Pilates, Podiatry, Sports Massage & Sports Therapy.

With the development of the iPhone Therapy Advertising app we will be making our search facility portable and therefore even more accessible to those members of the public looking for local Therapy options.

If you are a Therapist providing one or more of the above clinical options as a home service or based within a clinic then consider listing yourself online to be included within the database as we go live with the app. We have some great feedback from those listing online with us, at £25pa for your online listing you really can’t go wrong!

The app will link directly with our database to always provide up to date information on local options available.  As soon as the app is available to download we will update our blog – watch this space!

For now if you are in need of a local Therapist then use our simple and effective postcode search to check out your local options – http://therapyadvertising.com

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK and worldwide, with the prevalence in adults >40yrs estimated at 9-10%.   COPD is the only major cause of death on the increase globally, and is currently responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths a year in the UK. Prognosis in COPD is poor and COPD is the fifth most common cause of overall mortality in the UK. One hospital-based study identified that 50% of people died within 2 years of hospital admission for an acute exacerbation of COPD.

Many patients with COPD perceive shortcomings in the education they receive about aspects of their condition. Patients’ understanding of the condition and its implications is often poor. In one community based study 46.9% of patients with moderate or severe COPD were unable to provide the correct name for the condition. Many patients are unaware of the progressive nature of the condition, and of the poor prognosis associated with COPD. Despite this, many patients with COPD express concerns regarding the deterioration of their condition. Particular concerns surround death and dying, particularly dying of uncontrolled breathlessness. Many patients express fears of a distressing and protracted death through suffocation.

Although the management of breathlessness in end stage COPD is often problematic, appropriate oxygen therapy and pharmaceutical intervention can significantly relieve the experience of dyspnoea. Open communication and education regarding death and dying are key components of a palliative care approach, and may significantly reduce patient’s fears and concerns regarding the dying process. There is increasing evidence within the UK of a commitment by policy makers to the provision of palliative care across the spectrum of life-threatening disorders. The availability of specialist palliative care resources for patients with non-malignant disease is increasing, and hospital and community based specialist palliative care teams are increasingly providing support for patients with conditions such as COPD. In addition, there remains a key role for generalist health professionals in the education and management of patients with end stage COPD, in order to provide these patients with the on-going support and education they require to live and die with this condition.

This is an abstract prior to presentation at the COPD2011 Conference on the 24th June 2011 in Newbury, Berkshire, organised by Therapy Advertising Ltd

For full conference details click here

Outcome measures are essential for assessing the effectiveness of PR as a therapeutic intervention.  Numerous walk tests have been validated in COPD and values for the minimally clinically important difference for each have recently been established. Evidence suggests that practice walks are required for accurate application of an outcome measure.  The COPD Assessment Test is a recently developed measure of health status that has been shown to be responsive to PR.

The benefits of PR do not last and various maintenance strategies have been evaluated in the literature.  None to date offer convincing evidence as to an effective way to maintain PR benefits yet physical activity is known to be of utmost importance in this patient population.  Qualitative literature is beginning to emerge to suggest that ongoing exercise strategies with peer support are important to some patients with COPD to facilitate long-term management of their condition.  The issue will continue to be contentious whilst quantitative evidence is lacking.

Exacerbations are bad news in COPD, accelerating decline in physical activity levels and muscle strength.  PR research has recently focussed on its role following acute exacerbations, with a meta-analysis supporting the delivery of PR during the recovery phase immediately after an exacerbation.  Evidence is also emerging to support the role of exercise during, as well as after, the acute phase of an exacerbation.

The benefit of oxygen during training in patients with exertional hypoxaemia remains unclear, with insufficient evidence available to categorically support its use.  Non-invasive ventilation appears to augment the training effect in severe COPD but studies are not methodologically robust, plus practical limitations remain regarding the application on NIV during PR in the clinical setting.

PR services are required to deliver ‘more for less’ with increasing demand and fewer resources.  Community PR has been long established in the UK and recent evidence has been published to support its equivalence to traditional hospital-based programmes.  Research is required to further explore the options of providing supervised PR sessions only once a week.  Pilot data suggests that a home exercise DVD may provide one option for increasing provision.  Rolling programmes, rather than static, and group ‘opt-in’ sessions may provide an effective way of increasing efficiency and activity.

Lauren Hogg is the Keynote Speaker at the upcoming COPD2011 Conference being held on the 24th June 2011 in Newbury, Berkshire. For further conference details please click here.

Lauren is a Specialist Physiotherapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation & COPD at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts.

COPD2011 is being organised by Therapy Advertising Ltd and forms part of their growing conference programme – to keep in touch with upcoming CPD and educational opportunites join our regular e-newsletter here.

Or do you manage a clinic with a range of therapy professionals?

If you answered yes to either of the above then hopefully you have a view concerning online advertising of the clinic/therapy services.

You have the clinic up and running, you are getting great results with the patients you see, word of mouth works to some extent as long as the people you treat meet the people who need to be treated….

You have a great website, all contact details, but still have some spare slots in the diary? Yes some of these slots are great for paperwork and grand plans of expanding the business but how about squeezing a couple more clients into them? Would you say no?

So how about an online therapy advertising strategy that doesn’t cost the earth? Allows patients to find you, provides a link to your website and contact details and does not charge everytime a new patient comes your way…….

Tempted?

Take a look at our website – http://therapyadvertising.com

An annual online listing for your clinic or therapy services is £25, admit it – one new client and costs are covered…..worth a try?

Postcode searching means potential new clients search for you in their local area…..they may not know you are just around the corner.

So give it a go, branch out into online advertising for your clinic, take a leap towards new clients without the large price tag charged by many online advertising options.

We look forward to welcoming you online soon.