Hello everyone! 

Welcome to the April edition of the Integrated Health Supplement.

April marks the transition of seasons. A transition period is always interesting for our physical health, and we may notice our energy and mood changes as it becomes lighter for longer and later.

For those of you in the UK, the weather is on cue for a bank holiday weekend - cold, wet and grey! So stay warm and dry to avoid getting ill.

To begin with, here are a couple of short updates from me:

My surgery update

Many thanks for all your kind messages of concern. They really made me feel cared for. There is no date yet for my surgery, which I suspect is due to the Easter break. I will, of course, keep you all informed once I hear anything and plans are confirmed.

Meeta is away

Meeta is currently away on an Easter holiday and will be back on the 8th April. Her inbox is coming through to me, and the phone calls are being directed to me and should go to voicemail. The text system is also working. If you are experiencing any issues, then just send me an e-mail to info@integratedh.com.

If you require a proof of payment receipt before the 8th April, then please e-mail info@integratedh.com so I can send you one.

What is SIBO?

SIBO - or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth - is caused by an abnormal increase in the number of bacteria in the small intestine, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and health issues.

Individuals with SIBO often experience chronic diarrhea and malabsorption issues leading to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies that, if left unchecked, can contribute to more severe conditions such as osteoporosis.

These symptoms highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing SIBO as a significant health concern. For a deeper understanding of SIBO, its symptoms, and potential impacts on health, click the blue button below to watch an informative video.

If you are interested in finding out more about your own gut health, consider signing up to ZOE. For a 10% discount, use my referral link.

Getting ready for the summer flying trapeze season!

It may feel like a long way off, but the Easter and spring bank holiday are just around the corner - which means it must nearly be time for flying trapeze! 

Start getting your body in shape, build your strength and reduce the risk of injury with this series of trapeze exercises.

If you signed up last year, then now is a great time to revisit for a reminder!

Client Area

Don't forget, there are loads of useful resources including information leaflets on conditions and rehabilitation exercises worksheets for you to download in the Client Area of the Integrated Health website.

If you don't currently have access, follow the step-by-step instructions below to request a password to log in.

If the image below is too small to read, click here to download a PDF of the instructions.

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to the March edition of the Integrated Health Supplement.

In the upcoming weeks, I am going to be scheduled to have some surgery. This is an exciting prospect for me as the surgery is going to improve my health, and I’m confident that I will make a full recovery with long-term benefits! But I am also feeling a bit anxious as no surgery is without risks and there is some frustration due to the lack of an exact date for the procedure. I am not 100% sure when I will be able to return to in-person work, and I am making plans to support you as much as I can in my absence.

I hope this news does not cause you too much anxiety or inconvenience. Your treatment and continual high-quality care are of importance to me, and so I’ve tried to answer the questions that I’m sure will come up in your minds regarding this development.

How long will my recovery take?

The worst-case scenario is that I’m out of action from in-person work for 6 weeks. I envision starting remote sessions before I come back in person. I will keep you informed of when I will be doing remote work post-surgery and my return to in-person work.

Who will be covering me?

I am in the process of finalising this and will update you on what treatments they will offer. Rest assured that the therapist will be professional, qualified, insured, experienced, and someone you can trust. 

Should you see the therapist covering Sudhir? 

Yes. Your treatment is of utmost importance to me. I would not bring a therapist into the clinic whom I did not believe would give you high-quality care.  

What actions do you have to take? 

At this stage, nothing!

If you are booked in my diary then Meeta will be in touch and you can discuss options with her.

If you have any more questions, then please e-mail Meeta at info@integratedh.com or ask me in person when I next see you in the clinic.

Thank you in advance for your support, understanding, and patience.

You Are What You Eat

As many of you know or may have heard, I have been changing my diet based on the ZOE app and testing I did. If you are interested in the testing then use this link to get a 10% discount.

So it was serendipitous that this series appeared on Netflix, in which sets of identical twins switch out their diets and lifestyles for an eight-week period in a fascinating scientific experiment that focuses on how different foods impact the body.

Click the blue button below to find out more, and watch the trailer.

BOSU exercise videos

The BOSU ball, a versatile fitness tool, introduces a dynamic element to workouts by incorporating an unstable surface that challenges balance, enhances coordination, and improves overall strength. Its design allows for a wide range of exercises, targeting multiple muscle groups and boosting core strength, making it a popular choice for both beginners and advanced athletes. Integrating a BOSU ball into your exercise routine can lead to improved stability, increased muscle engagement, and heightened proprioception, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of your workouts and supporting injury prevention.

Check out this website for a series of instructional exercise videos to inspire your next workout.

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to the February edition of the Integrated Health Supplement.

I am now in the diet modification places of my Zoe app, and I am already noticing positive changes to my energy levels, appetite, gut function, and weight. If you are interested in getting tested with Zoe then click the blue button below for a 10% discount.

What causes disc herniations?

This article from MSKMag gives a rundown of the history of disc herniations.

Back in the 1930s, it was believed that disc herniations were always the result of trauma like a hard fall. Then the focus shifted to disc degeneration - with discs getting weaker over time due to poor health and lifestyle. Then, in the 1990s, we discovered that your genes play a huge part in disc health too - got a family history of disc issues? You might end up with them too...

Click the blue button below to read more.

Why long COVID can cause exhaustion, or post-exertional malaise, after exercise

Recent research on long COVID patients has uncovered that exercise exacerbates their symptoms, a condition called post-exertional malaise. Dutch scientists found that these patients' muscle tissues, especially their mitochondria, are not functioning correctly, leading to severe fatigue after physical activity. The study also revealed increased muscle damage, abnormal immune responses, and the presence of microclots in the muscles.

These findings challenge the traditional view of using exercise as a treatment, emphasizing the need for more gentle and tailored rehabilitation approaches for long COVID patients.

Click the blue button below to read more.

For Fiddlers on the Roof and in the Pit: Healthcare and Epidemiology of Playing-Related Problems in Violinists

Play the violin? Check out this article, which explores the various health issues faced by violinists, particularly those related to the unique physical demands of playing the instrument. It highlights how poor playing hygiene, environmental factors, and insufficient guidance can lead to pain and loss of function among violinists.

Click the blue button below to read more.

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone all the best for 2024, and thank you for all your support in 2023!

Jujitsu update

I'm pleased to announce I've passed my Jujitsu brown belt grading! It was hard work. My body is tired and needs a rest. Check out the video below.

Only 1 more for black! And I am looking forward to continuing my practice in the new year.

Zoe update

Over the holiday season, I completed my Zoe testing and dietary challenges to see how my body responds.

I am awaiting my report that has analysed all my data and I will share the interesting bits with you.

I have been sharing my journey on social media - check it out!

I love their slogan, "science for every body"

If you are keen to understand how your body work then use the link below to order your test kit.

The Big M - menopause

The stigma and silence around menopause is changing, and it is a hot topic (no pun intended). Many of my clients ask me about pre-peri-post, menopause symptoms and management.

We have updated our practitioner list to include some recommendations of practitioners that other clients have found to be knowledgeable and helpful.

In April, the government released a new scheme for cheaper hormone replacement therapy, and since 1 April 2023, women in England are now able to access cheaper hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help with menopause symptoms.

Please spread the word so people can make informed decisions about their health and well-being related to menopause.

Hello everyone!

Happy holidays and welcome to the December edition of the Integrated Health monthly supplement.

If you're stuck for Christmas present ideas this year, why not buy someone an Integrated Health gift voucher, valid for any session with me? Please email Meeta to buy a voucher.

If you are interested in improving your health, feeling more energised, and reducing your weight, then don't forget our Zoe offer, which would make the perfect holiday gift to yourself or others - and get a head start on your New Year's resolutions to boost your health!

Keeping warm

Whilst we're on the subject of gifting - and during this cold snap - have you heard about Baavet? They offer super cosy and heat-regulating bedding to cater for all tastes. So whether you're always feeling chilly, or you like to sleep with one foot sticking out of the bed to stay cool, check out their range here.

Kicking hip - free course

Calling all martial arts practitioners!

Do you ever feel like your hip flexibility is limiting your kicks? I've created a free course for you...

I'll share with you some great exercises to both mobilise and strengthen your hip muscles - a perfect companion to help you with your martial arts practice.

Click the blue button below to sign up.

Activating and stimulating the vagus nerve

I use Heart Rate Variability to measure health, well-being, and stress - if you're keen to find out more, you can book in an assessment with me. Click the blue button below to book!

Did you know that stimulation of the vagus nerve can help stop a case of hiccups?

In the picture below, can you spot the vagus nerve?

In addition to curing the hiccups, there are many techniques building on the value of the vagus nerve, which can help alleviate symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, inflammation, and digestive problems - to name but a few.

Want to find out more?

Keep your eyes peeled for my free online course about the vagus nerve - coming soon!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the November edition of the Integrated Health monthly supplement.

I hope you are keeping warm and dry as we transition into the winter months! It's time to grab a cuppa and cosy up for this month's newsletter.

Zoe

No, Zoe is not a new therapist at the clinic!

If you have not heard of Zoe yet,  then it is one of the latest ways of optimising your health from a holistic perspective.

Simply,  you order a testing kit and then you get some in-depth reports that take you as a whole person into account - from blood sugar, your microbiome, your diet, and your responses to various food challenges.

There is a lead time for the testing kit to be delivered and currently, December is the soonest. This might be an ideal Xmas gift for you or a family member to get going for the annual January health kick.

If you are interested in improving your health, feeling more energised, and reducing your weight, then you can use this link.

Slaying the slopes!

Whether you are a beast on skis on the slopes, a quiet intermediate, or a very nervous beginner skier, I think we can all agree that we need to look after our body and legs that have worked hard on the slopes.

Many of my clients ask me about what strengthening exercises to do to prepare for a ski trip, and what mobility exercises to do to loosen up tired, stiff achy muscles after a day on the slopes.

I have prepared this package of videos to support you in staying healthy and having fun on the slopes.

How to exercise when it’s the last thing you want to do...

Looking to overcome the common excuses for not exercising? This article and TED Talks provide practical strategies and insights from psychology, behavioral economics, business, and activism to motivate and encourage physical activity.

It addresses excuses like lack of time, comfort at home, preference for other activities, fear of judgment, and aversion to the physical discomfort of exercise, offering solutions such as time management, mental time travel, combining exercise with enjoyable activities, challenging societal judgments, and using mental imagery to boost motivation and confidence in fitness routines.

Read the article here.

All the best,

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the October edition of the Integrated Health monthly supplement.

I've just returned from my holiday and it is feeling really autumnal in the UK! So make yourself a cuppa, get cozy and settle in for this month's news.

Science offers new hope for painful knee osteoarthritis

Introducing "Epiphaknee: A Modern Approach to Knee Osteoarthritis". Written by globally renowned pain and movement experts, it's a game-changer for knee osteoarthritis sufferers and practitioners. Based on the latest research, it uncovers the key drivers of knee OA, features the revolutionary Protectometer tool, and offers a comprehensive plan for personalized recovery.

This guide is a must-read to rethink knee OA treatment.

Find out more in this video from one of the authors, Tasha Stanton. Click the image to play in YouTube.

Wellforce app

Designed for desk-based office workers, the Wellforce app allows you to curate brief exercises and movement breaks throughout the day, to counter the negative effects on the body of being sat in front of a computer all day.

The app allows you to set your preferences, such as to alleviate tight hamstrings or, ease shoulder tension, and it will set what they call "movement snacks" throughout the day to help keep you feeling supple! It can even challenge you to do a set of press-ups several times a day - you decide!

The newly launched apps for iPhone and desktop are free for a limited time, and in exchange for doing a 2-3 week trial and leaving a review, they will send you a code to give you free lifetime access!

Your morning coffee..

Did you know about the toxicity of BPAs in coffee cup lids? Check out this video excerpt from Dr. Zandra Palma, MD in her TED Talk for the frightening facts!

All the best,

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the September edition of the Integrated Health monthly supplement.

I can't believe the evenings are already beginning to pull in and that the summer is coming to an end already. In any case, I hope you have had a good summer of sport, sunshine and holidays! speaking of which...

My holiday

I want to let you know that I'll be on holiday from 15th September to 1st October, so please bear this in mind when scheduling your appointments!

I have opened up some more slots in the diary for October, late December, and early Jan. 

From September onwards, my Tuesday clinic will start at 2.30 PM.

Fancy a cuppa?

Next time you are in the clinic waiting for an appointment, please help yourself to a cup of tea, coffee or water. There are some snazzy Integrated Health branded paper cups on the table, and a coffee machine/filtered water available in the kitchen.

Rips

Whether you're a gymnast, an aerialist, or a cross-fitter, chances are you've experienced rips in your practice. I came across this great article with some good tips on prevention, treatment and overall hand care. Check it out here.

All the best,

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the August edition of the Integrated Health monthly supplement.

We are slowly settling into the new clinic location. For those who have been already -  thank you for all your patience, and feedback. And for those who are yet to see the new clinic, we look forward to welcoming you! We think you will like it!

Post leg surgery cycle hire

I see many clients after they have had lower leg surgery and static cycling is a great way (where appropriate) to get the blood flowing, improve healing, increase the range of movement, and enhance strength. However, many clients struggle to access a static bike. 

The company below does a fairly good deal (in my opinion) of hiring out (including delivery) of a decent-quality upright static bike.

Check out this link for more info and save these details if you have leg surgery planned for the future!

When chronic pain is just not chronic pain

Check out this interesting article about chronic pain from physiotherapist Nicole Frost, written for Noi Group.

You can read the full article here.

Know your lemons...

The Know Your Lemons Foundation helps prevent cancer and save lives from breast cancer with this ingenious diagram showing the twelve symptoms. Visit the website or download the app to learn more.

All the best,

Hi everyone!

I hope that the Pride month of June was a celebration of all the diverse ways we can love each other and that the London Pride march is a joyous extravaganza!

A reminder also that we are starting at the new clinic address on 24th July. We will be sending details across to anyone with existing appointments. You can find the details from last month's newsletter here.

An Apple a day...

The age-old saying refers to diet and health and this prompted Dr Sarah Upjohn (specialist performing arts physiotherapist) and I to chat about how the Apple Watch and iPhone can be used to help performing artists with their health and well-being, stress and fitness levels. While I love my gadgets and tech, Sarah is a self-confessed technophobe and was surprised to learn about all the features the iWatch and iPhone have that most of us do not even know about!

Finding your Fitzpatrick skin type

During this warm and sunny period, it's more important than ever to protect yourself against UV rays.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test determines your skin type based on its reaction to UV radiation

Find out more here.

(John D’Orazio, Stuart Jarrett, Alexandra Amaro-Ortiz and Timothy Scott, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

All the best,

Hi everyone!

June brings the change in weather and season, and so too does it bring change at Integrated Health, as you will see from this month's health supplement!

We are moving!

From July 24th, Nicky and Sudhir will be working from their new clinic space in Regent Street.

The new address is: 

Suite 503, Linen Hall,162-168 Regent Street, London W1B 5TE (it's right next to Anthropologie)

In the upcoming months, we will give you some detailed information about the move so you can stay informed and prepare.

All the information will be in your reminder e-mails and texts that you receive 48 hours prior to your appointment.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Diary changes

From September 1st Sudhir will be slightly altering his Tuesday clinic times:

He will be starting at 2.30pm.

This means the slots will be:

• 2.30pm - 3.30pm
• 3.30pm - 4.30pm
• 4.30pm - 5.30pm
• 5.45pm - 6.45pm
• 6.45pm - 7.45pm
• 7.45pm - 8.45pm

You will notice this when booking online and the reception tean might contact you if have made an existing booking into an old time slot e.g. 730pm.

If there are any queries, contact the reception team or speak to Sudhir in your next session.

Thanks for your understanding.

Force Decks

You’ll know how I love me some data, numbers and measurements. So I went to go have an assessment with strength and conditioning coach Leah Dunthorne on her fancy force plate. Really interesting results that help me to see my asymmetries and understand why I am at risk of low back pain when exercising at the gym! Go check her out for a session.

All the best,

Hi everyone!

May is the month of bank holidays and also pollen, hay fever and more outdoor based activities such and running and the Flying Trapeze season!

Sniffles and sneezes

The change of season brings pollen and allergic responses. I recently saw the fabulous Ear. Nose and Throat (ENT) Ms. Irune Epkemi and she reminded me to cleanse my nose daily. When I trained as a yoga teacher, I learned Neti - the yogic method of nasal cleansing. This has now been modernised by NeilMed. So, to manage the sniffles and sneezes, cleanse your nasal passages daily!

Hope on the Horizon for Hypermobile People

The boffins at Tulane university have published this seminal research looking at how the lack of vitamin B9 (folate) may be related to the thickening of fascia and myofascial pain that hypermobile people experience. They talk about a protein called DECORIN which is the glue that holds collagen fibres together and that without it collagen becomes looser. As this is a novel piece of science, way more research is needed before we can safely say if supplementing with a specific dose of methylated folate is helpful in hypermobile people. But this is very promising!!!! Hang in there, hyper-mobile folks! (Literally!)

Click on the image below to read more.

All the best,

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the latest edition of the Integrated Health Supplement. 

The garden is filled with the yellows and whites of the daffodils and other flowers! So great to see all the prep work and planting I did last year October coming to fruition!

Emotional intelligence course

My sister company The Life Architect has launched an emotional intelligence course and I am giving FREE access to module 1. Click on the button below to get access!

Get those glutes going!

Apple Watch user cool feature

You’ll know how I love my toys and gadgets and how I geek out on this techy stuff!  

Last month I spoke about heart rate zones and how helpful they are. For those of you who have Apple Watches, you can activate a cool feature that allows you to monitor what heart rate zone you are in while working out!

Watch this short video on how to easily activate this feature! 

Click the image/button below to play the video.

All the best,

Hi everyone!

It always surprises me what a short month February is and as the days start to draw out I look forward to spring. My daffodils and bluebells are coming up nicely! So all the prep work from last year has paid off!

Read on for the latest from the team at Integrated Health...

Slaying the slopes this season!

Many clients went away skiing over half term and I am currently advising them to mobilise their leg muscles that worked so well for them by following a simple roller routine, like this one here.

Some of my clients are still playing to go later on this season and the decline dip is a great exercise to prepare you for that downhill strength required in your legs.

Fingers crossed that the snow conditions are good for those of you who are still planning to go!

Health Tech Update

Preparing for flying trapeze in the summer

Trapeeps - are you getting ready for the summer flying season? To enjoy an injury-free flying summer (excluding chins hitting platform and scorpions in the net - OUCH!), check out this cool, FREE course I have created to help make you stronger and improve your force out.

All the best,

Hi everyone,

Can’t believe it is February again and I am sure we will all be inundated with marketing around Valentine’s Day!

Speaking of love, lets focus on self love!

Loving your GUT

Our friends at SEED HEALTH shared some nuggets of knowledge with us recently on gut health:

• Only ~7% of our microbiome can be attributed to inheritance. This means it is almost entirely shaped by external factors like our environment, experiences, and the compounding actions we take every day.
• Your microbiome can also keep you motivated as certain gut microbes increase dopamine (the feel-good hormone) in your brain during exercise - so your physical activity can be more fulfilling!
• Remember the 3Ms: Microbiome, Movement, and Mood!

Loving your knees

Loving your life

We all get that health and well-being are more than just our body and mind. But yet we often forget and ignore the whisper and faint call of our heart.

Our sister company, The Life Architect, just spoke about Vision Boards in its recent newsletter as a way to tap into the song of our heart that sparks joy! 

Click the blue button below for a detailed, step-by-step written guide on how to create a vision board. Enter code MAKEITHAPPEN to download it for free!

All the best,

Hi everyone,

Happy new year!

I hope you all had a restful festive break and are ready to embrace the new year, despite the cold!

A reminder that I will be back from Tuesday 17th January, so book your appointments now!

Book online here.

New year's resolutions versus intentions

Before you embark on setting new year's resolutions, take a look at the table below and think about how to frame your goals. Are you setting resolutions or intentions?

Study confirms anxiety is linked to diet

Have you been enjoying tucking into the Christmas sweet treats and goodies this festive season? If you've been feeling sluggish or anxious, check out this article from Big Think, which links anxiety disorders to a diet rich in sugar and processed foods. So, when setting your new year's healthy eating intentions, you might want to try switching out those left-over mince pies and chocolates for fruit and nuts for some January feel-good factor.

Gift voucher sessions

Looking to kick-start your new year's resolutions with a healthy dose of self-care? Or how about a new year's treat for your nearest and dearest? We've got a great range of gift vouchers available, including some juicy discounts for my subscribers:

• Head: Coaching 10% discount
• Heart: Emotional Stress Assessment 10% discount
• Body: Physiotherapy

If you'd like to purchase a voucher, please contact Meeta at info@integratedh.com

All the best,

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the December newsletter! I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! I hope you have a chance to relax and unwind over the festive break and I look forward to catching up with you in the new year.

I will be away, and the clinic will be closed from 23rd December to 11th January, however, the clinic diary is open, so please feel free to book in from 12th January onwards.

Book online here.

Trauma sensitive

I recently undertook The Resilient Heart™ training by HeartMath Institute, designed for healthcare professionals who work with individuals who have experienced traumatic stress. 

The course has taught me so much and I am hoping this makes me a far more trauma-informed practitioner going forward.

When can I go back to the sport/activity I love doing after an injury?

This is one of the most important questions clients come to me with.

Sadly, the presence of pain alone is still/s used by some as the sole means of returning to activity.

Some of you are aware of how I like making sure you PASS certain tests to ensure that you can return SAFELY to your sport/activity, as the research tells us that incomplete rehab is a strong predictor of a future injury occurring.

Today I share with you a checklist of what tests you need to pass in order to return to running after an ankle sprain (courtesy of our colleagues at Physio Network).

Some stats worth noting about ankle sprains:

• Less than 50% of individuals seek medical treatment following lateral ankle sprains.
• Up to one-third of individuals go on to experience chronic ankle instability after ankle sprains.

Stocking-filler ideas

Have you still got Christmas shopping to do, and do you need some gift inspiration? Here are some ideas for the health-conscious among you, based on my recent routine and activities.

• I recently did an Everyman Health screen at Randox Health.
• I am currently taking Symprove for my probiotics.
• I am taking Omega 3 from Vegetology.
• I am taking Floradix Vitamin B12.
• I use my Apple Watch to measure my heart rate variability.
• Gift voucher session with Sudhir: 10% off a coaching session, or an emotional stress assessment. If you are interested in getting a loved one or colleague an Integrated Health Voucher, please e-mail Meeta at info@integratedh.com.

All the best,

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the November newsletter! The clocks have gone back, the weather has turned, and autumn is well and truly here - so grab yourself a cuppa and catch up on this month's Integrated Health newsletter.

ME/CFS/PVFS Clinical and Research Guide 2022 Edition

The ME Association has updated it's Clinical and Research Guide on Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) - including information on long-Covid.

This new edition helps to shed more light on this little-understood illness - one that both stigmatises sufferers and divides the medical profession.

Find out more and purchase from the ME Association here, or from Amazon here.

Write me a Google Review!

We have received some feedback from new clients that Integrated Health is not easy to find on Google - search engine and maps. In order to solve this, please could I ask you a small favour…. 

If you have visited Integrated Health for treatment, please could I ask you to leave me a review on Google? It's quick and easy and will help spread the word about Integrated Health.

Visit the following link and scroll down on the left-hand side until you see the button below.

Thank you in advance!

The jaw

The jaw is often overlooked in treatment and yet it is so overworked with eating, talking and stress!

I really like this cool video from Anatomy Standard showing the muscles of mastication (now now - the muscles of EATING!)

Click the image to play the video.

All the best,

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the October newsletter - I cannot believe it is October already!

The man.I.cure Project

Join me on 10th October at 6pm BST for the next man.I.cure Project session - this quarter, the topic is: “This is a man’s world….”: Patriarchy and music. This session will explore how patriarchy shows itself in music and the music industry.

It's free to join the conversation - the more the merrier! You can sign up here.

These Deep and Meaningful Conversations (DMCs) are a regular safe and open-minded space for attendees to share their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences. I facilitate these conversations as a trusted, qualified, experienced, and accredited coaching professional.

Trauma and the Nervous System

You've heard me talk a lot about Heart Rate Variability recently. If you are keen to understand more about the science behind it, watch this short video for an overview of how trauma and chronic stress affect our nervous system. Based on Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, the animation is a great introduction to what's going on when we experience trauma and how that stress affects our overall well-being.

The relationship between good posture and back pain

Check out this interesting article on the relationship between good posture and back pain from 'The Conversation' - you may be surprised to read that good posture does not necessarily prevent back pain, and bad posture does not necessarily cause it.

Authors Peter O'Sullivan, Leon Straker, Nic Saraceni, from Curtin University, Perth, Australia say:

"There is no evidence for a single “good posture” to prevent or reduce back pain. People’s spines come in all shapes and sizes, so posture is highly individual. Movement is important for back health, so learning to vary and adopt different postures that are comfortable is likely to be more helpful than rigidly adhering to a specific “good” posture."

Read more here.

All the best,

I hope you all had a great summer! 

A reminder that the diary is open for the future. We have stopped all covid restrictions with regards to booking appointments.  

You can book online here.

Still working from home? 

Are you looking for a decent quality, affordable electronic height adjustable desk? Then check this out! Fully adjustable, and compact enough to maximise space in a small home office, the E1 Classic standing desk is a budget-friendly addition to your home set-up.

Commonwealth Games

I was busy this summer working at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. It was great to work with the physiotherapy students at University of Birmingham at the closing ceremony - it was a long day, but the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy students did really well!

Introducing Integrated Health Learning

We are pleased to announce the launch of Integrated Health Learning! 

Integrated Health Learning will cater to both patients and healthcare practitioners, therapists and movement instructors.

Check out the page for upcoming educational events either online or face to face.

All the best,

Hello all,

Welcome to the August newsletter!

I hope you are all enjoying the warm weather! Remember to stay hydrated!

Summer is a good time to recharge and replenish your energy, so I hope you can manage to take some time off for your self-care and have a break.

A reminder, that there have been NO Covid-related restrictions on the diary for some time now. So please feel free to book your sessions for the remainder of the year and into early next year. 

Click here to book!

Thanks for your ongoing feedback on the website, especially the mobile version. We are looking into making the booking icon appear first!

Hypermobility factsheet

Many of my clients are hypermobile (whether a performing artist or not). So you may find the new factsheet from BAPAM useful to tell you more about it, how it is assessed, how it can affect you, and what you can do to reduce your risk of injury.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) online course

So many of you have been asking about Heart Rate Variability and how I use it to do emotional stress assessments. I am busy preparing a course in the background and I am getting excited about launching it soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

In the interim, if you want to book in for an emotional stress assessment, then please click here

The devil is in the Ds!

I was at the gym the other day exercising and during the weightlifting move I felt some discomfort in my back.

Immediately and internally, my brain and nervous system went hyper-alert trying to detect any damage and if the exercise I was doing was dangerous. As a human being first and a physio second, I used this event as an opportunity to unpack what was going on in my internal world - thoughts, feelings, sensations, etc. I have tried to capture it in the diagram below and I hope that it is helpful to you if you find yourself in a similar situation. 

All the best,

Hello all,

Welcome to the July newsletter!

I hope you all had a great Pride month and that those of you in London were able to see the march on Saturday 2nd July to mark its 50th anniversary. 

Website

Thank you to everyone for giving us feedback on the website. We really appreciate it and are working to make it a user-friendly experience for you. Please continue to give us feedback as you use the website more and more.

Request new password

Feedback about the new website

Covid

There has been a recent rise in infections and from what I am hearing it appears to be in those who did not catch Covid in the past 2 years.

If this is your first infection with Covid (whether vaxxed or not) then please do look after yourself.

Please consider supporting your internal body systems to heal by taking some supplements. For a more detailed discussion on the scientific evidence base, then click here 

Please click here to read more about gradually returning back to exercise to avoid the risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and Long Covid.

Click here for a really great resource on Long Covid, exercise, pacing, and fatigue.

Size-weight illusion

Illusion, magic, Abaracadabra! No. The size-weight illusion is this very cool phenomenon where we have 2 objects in front of us of different sizes, and we perceive the smaller one to be lighter when lifted, even though the objects are in reality the EXACT same mass/weight. You can read more about it here.

I am working hard in the gym lifting heavy weights and I was concerned that my mind was playing tricks on me every time the PT went to increase the weight I was about to push or pull in an exercise. So, nerdy me, I decided to dig a little deeper, and thankfully, it appears from the paper below that the size-weight illusion does not massively affect my performance at the gym! Phew!

All the best,

Hi everyone, and welcome to the June newsletter!

I hope you are all enjoying the extended bank holiday weekend!

As the COVID pandemic tapers off,  we are making some changes in the clinic:

• Appointment reminders will be sent 48 hours in advance of your session. 
• The appointment cancellation link in your reminders will not work in less than 24 hours of your session. You will have to call the reception team.
• The usage of protective equipment by us will shift more to a case-by-case basis depending on the risk assessment.
• We will keep you informed of other upcoming changes.

New website

This month I am excited about launching the new Integrated Health website! We have taken your feedback onboard to make the website more user-friendly. The password to access the client area has now changed. To get the new password to access the helpful resources in our client area, then click on the button below. We would also love to hear what you think (both good and bad) about the new website!

Request new password

Feedback about the new website

Farewell to Andrea

This month we bid farewell to Andrea Wright. Andrea joined the Integrated Health team last year and whilst we are sad to see her go, we would like to take this opportunity to  wish her all the very best in her future endeavors! 

Demystifying back pain

Back pain is super common and many rumours, myths and urban legends surround it. I wanted to share this infographic with you as it neatly summarises the current research surrounding back pain. 

All the best,