February 2024 Newsletter

February 7, 2024

Tips to keep your 2024 on track!

We hope your 2024 is off to a great start! This month’s newsletter is filled with valuable information to help you either kickstart your year or keep it moving in the right direction. Grab a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy reading our newsletter. We have some great advice and fascinating information that you won’t want to miss!

Winter Weather!

The winter weather has been anything but enjoyable!

With snow, ice, and wind causing dangerous conditions, it’s easy to slip and fall. To help prevent accidents, we offer our usual physiotherapy services designed to keep you healthy and moving. Additionally, we offer a weekly Stable and Able class for those aged 60 and older to help you build confidence, strength, and balance to help you stay on your feet!

Click the button below to find out more information

Rare Disease Day

Did you know that February 29, 2024, is Rare Disease Day? A disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Since 2008, Rare Disease Day has been established to bring attention to these diseases and work towards improving access and therapy for those affected.

72% of rare diseases are genetic, and almost 1 out of 5 cancers are rare. Physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for those living with a rare disease, such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) which is a rare condition which affects the brain and nerves, resulting in progressive weakness and symptoms such as slurred speech, muscle weakness, weight loss, and difficulty controlling emotions.

MND primarily affects individuals in their 60s and 70s, but it can occur in adults of any age. It is difficult to diagnose MND early on as other conditions may have similar symptoms. Although there is no cure for MND, treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life, including specialized clinics, therapy,  medication.

Symptoms gradually worsen over time, making it increasingly difficult to move around, swallow, and breathe. The time it takes to reach this stage can vary significantly, with some people living for several years or even decades with the disease.

Notable people with MND
Stephen Hawkins
Rob Burrows
Joost Van Der Westhuizen

Physiotherapy can help by relieving pain and stiffness and help restore function in movement.

If you are interested in learning more about how physiotherapy can help you, please get in touch and we are more than happy to speak to you.

Time to Talk

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it is often stigmatised and overlooked. Many people feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their struggles with mental health, but it is important to remember that it is okay to not be okay. By starting a conversation, we can help to normalise mental health struggles and create a space for support and healing.

It is also important to remember that mental health affects us all, regardless of age, gender, race, or background. By having open conversations about mental health, we can help to break down the stereotypes and discrimination that often surround mental illness.

Time to Talk Day is an annual event that aims to encourage people to have conversations about mental health. By talking openly and honestly about mental health, we can help to crack barriers and create a more supportive and inclusive society. So, you don’t have to wait for a certain day to start a conversation and help to make a difference in the lives of those around you.

Dry January

We are proud to be part of the North East Better Health at Work Award, and we currently hold the Continuing Excellence award level. As part of our health initiative this January, we focused on raising awareness about alcohol and cancer. We set our team the challenge of participating in the team Dry January Challenge.

Dry January is a public health campaign that encourages people to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January, aiming to promote a healthier relationship with alcohol and raise awareness about its effects on health. Our staff were amazing with the positive effects it had on their health and wellbeing, with staff reporting feeling better physically and mentally, having more energy, and saving money. It also provides an opportunity to make other positive changes in life.

Exercise of the Month

Burpee

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hands by your side
2. Bend at the knees and drop to the floor to a press up position
3. Bring your knees to your chest and return to the press up position before standing up ( or optional , Jump )
4. Repeat the movement.