CAN I CLAIM ON MY PRIVATE INSURANCE ?

This question is often asked and the answer is that it depends on the type of insurance and whom it is with. Some insurance's are just for hospital inpatients, some are only valid after a referral from a GP. Some have different set of conditions and set practitioners. Some have their own practitioners. Other will have a 6-month initial probation period, or only allow payment for new complaints - not old ones. Some other will pay out regardless of referrals, as long has you are fully paid up member Even some depend on where you live and how the Branch manager feels at the time! One of the safest ones is H.S.A. I have never had any problem with this company and I know that they meet all my patients' receipts promptly. Another good point about H.S.A. is that if you join, your family is automatically included. Unfortunately some firms have a scheme with some of the larger companies, which does not pay out for none referred treatment. So I say it might be beneficial to take out a H.S.A. plan for any treatment you may need from me and because the other is free for you use that for other benefits that you may need in the future.

WOULD A GYM HELP?

Before you contemplate starting a "get fit" regime at a gym there are certain things you need to find out about yourself and the gym. Firstly have a check up with your GP, telling them what you intend to do and why. Some medical conditions may need a written clearance before the Gym will allow you to train (Heart conditions, recent operations, rheumatoid arthritis etc also some psychological or physiological problems may require certain conditions being met). If you suffer from other conditions you may have to tell the gym instructor at the induction (before training commences) Asthma, diabetes low /high blood pressure epilepsy, recent bone fractures etc. or if you are undergoing any for of treatment for ANYTHING.
The gym should have fully qualified instructor/s available at all times. Be light, airy, clean and have a good combination of aerobic and anaerobic SAFETY CERTIFIED machines, with full instruction notices on how to use them attached to the machines, a shower, toilets and refreshment area. SPACE between the machines and between the weight lifting areas to allow safe passage though the areas.

WHY DO MUSCLES ACHE AFTER ACTIVITY?

This condition is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). It can occur in both trained and untrained individuals after unaccustomed exercise. DOMS usually appears between 8 and 24 hours after exercise, peaks around 48 hours and slowly eases after two or three days. The pain can vary form mild discomfort to extreme debilitating pain. When a muscle(s) goes beyond it's normal endurance limit there is an increase of blood to the area (inflammation) and a decrease of toxins eliminated from it. Therefore the muscle cannot perform as it should consequently and aching response comes about because of the build up of toxins and extra blood in the muscle(s) . As stated earlier the soreness can take up to 12 hours to appear because the muscle is trying to eliminate the excess. It is well documented that massage applied between 1 and 3 hours after exercises reduces the effects of DOMS dramatically. Massage is still effective up to 48 hours after.

WHY CAN'T I RUB IT BETTER?

Because it is natural to rub where it hurts you may not be at the lesion source, there are a number of reasons why the pain does not seem to come from where the cause is. I have many patients say , if you go up, (down, across,) a bit there is some there and when I do it is not there. I move to a totally different spot and they find that that is were the pain is coming from. I also am able to go in at a different angle. That is why I say to them, if you could get at it and new it would make it better how much pressure would you put on? Knowing that (in most cases ) that they could not get at the angle to apply the pressure needed to get to the deep tissue where the problem lesion is sited. Although it sometimes feel that I am putting a lot of pressure on it is only that I am applying pressure to the site of the lesion and when it has released they realise that I am putting the same pressure on but it does not hurt. Obviously if there is a joint misalignment then no amount of rubbing will correct the problem. That will require a gentle muscle reflex action manipulation.

COULD MY DOG BE PULLING MY BACK OUT?

Quite possibly, if you have a dog that has a tendency to pull sharply chase after things or strong willed, then the is a good chance that it may cause a back problem slow the recover, prolonging the treatment time. It is not just in the upper back that problems could occur, it may well cause lower back and neck problems as well. There are three, (four) ways around this problem. One is to attend an dog training class, in order to train you dog not to pull. Two get a muzzle harness, although these may seem cruel, they are not. It just stops the dog from pulling with the strongest part of the body and makes it that they would have to use a weak part therefore they realise that it cannot be done. Three get someone else to take the dog or go with you and hold it. (Four) get rid of the dog (only joking)