Eddie Izzard explains the difference between osteopaths and chiropractors

Diabetes and Diet

After recently coming across Your Sweet Shop, a website that sells all kinds of chocolate and sweeties alongside a whole range of sugarfree sweets and diabetic chocolate, I thought I'd look into the importance of diet in diabetes.

There are 3 types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus accounts for around 10% of cases of diabetes and is caused by a lack of insulin producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a deficiency of insulin. It is dubbed "juvenile diabetes" as it is commonest in children. Type 1 diabetes is typically treated with daily insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is also characterised by a deficiency of insulin but is accompanied by a resistance to insulin or reduced insulin sensitivity within body tissues. A predisposing factor to Type 2 diabetes is obesity which is a factor in over half of all diabetes cases. It can be controlled, to a degree, by careful monitoring of diet, exercise and weight loss. If necessary, this can be followed up with oral medication.

The third type, gestational diabetes is a rarer form, very similar to Type 2 that occurs in 2-5% of pregnancies.

As mentioned above, Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by careful monitoring of diet, in particular the consumption of carbohydrates. To help make this more palatable, Your Sweet Shop sells a range of low carbohydrate, sugarfree sweets and sugar free chocolate so that you can treat yourself without risking your health. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before changing your diet.

To find out more about tailoring your diet for diabetes, have a look at these websites:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00027
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diabetes/managing/diet_and_diabetes_000686.htm

New blog launched - Pirifromis Syndrome

In my clinic I treat many people with lower back pain and pain referring down the legs. Almost every time, the piriformis is tight on one or both sides and needs to be released to reduce the pain and increase mobility. As this has become such an important part of my treatments, I've decidd to start a new blog dedicated to it!

Piriformis Syndrome Advice is going to be stuffed full of heplful advice, treatments, useful techniques and discussion about this common yet painful condition. I've already found some facebook groups about piriformis syndrome and some websites dedicated to it too, so I think there will be plenty to talk about:

http://piriformis-syndrome-advice.blogspot.com/

Osteopathy Study Aids

So, rather than sit around idle over the summer, I'm going to develop a whole host of osteopathy study aids focussing on different anatomical or physiological concepts to help make studying this subject, hopefully, that little bit easier...

I've setup an Osteopathy Study Aids page on my site and have started off with the "learn the brachial plexus" diagram but am hoping to have some new stuff on there soon.

Keep 'em peeled!

New Affiliate Scheme - Powerballs!

I know some people who absolutely swear by Powerballs as a way of building strength for sports like climbing and weightlifting but after looking at the website it seems that Powerballs are useful for reahbilitating injuries including tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. Read more rehab benefits here.



If you're interested and want to buy a Powerball in the UK, click the link above.

End of year one!

Wow, it's all over... for a few months, anyway!

I think the whole group has really developed over the first year and compared to where we were at the exams in Jan, I know that personally I know an awful lot more and am a lot more confident. If anything, I'm a little disappointed with the practical part of the examination as we didn't get the opportunity to demonstrate anything new - passive assessment of the shoulder... again - great!

Anyway, I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be about the results and hopefully (fingers crossed) I'll make it into year 2.

So, a summer of relaxation and recuperation although I've got a few ideas of how to earn some extra pennies for next year. The Learn The Brachial Plexus diagram is just the beginning...

How cheese helps you make successful decisions!

Now, I like cheese. In fact, English farmhouse cheese is one of my favourite foods of all time. Looks like now I've got a legitimate reason to eat it...

According to psychologists at the University of Cambridge, people with high levels of serotonin are more likely to succeed in delicate negotiating affecting their own interests. Serotonin is manufactured in the body from the amino acid trytophan which is present in all kinds of food including, you guessed it, cheese!

I for one am very pleased at this news. I'll stop feeling guilty about visiting my favourite delicatessen Nottingham and buying a big slab of mature cheddar... or Wensleydale with cranberries... mmm...

To read more about how to eat farmhouse cheese guilt-free, click this link.