Poor Muscle Strength raises risk of a fall by 76%

In older adults, poor muscle strength increases the risk of a fall by 76% and those who have already had a fall are three times more likely to fall again. Strengthening and balance activities not only help to prevent this, but also help improve your mood, sleeping patterns, increase your energy levels, and reduce the risk of an early death.

An evidence review commissioned by Public Health England and the Centre for Ageing Better has found that muscle and bone strengthening and balance activities continue to have great health benefits for all adults, and suggests these are done at least twice a week alongside aerobic exercise.

Currently, only one in three men and one in four women are currently doing enough of the right types if exercise for healthy muscles and bones.

Activities found to have the most benefit for muscle and bone strengthening include ball games, racket sports, dance, Nordic walking and resistance training (usually training with weights but including body weight exercises which can be performed anywhere).

For those at risk of falls or fracture, supervised structured exercise is also recommended at a pace that suits the individual to help maintain independence and support healthy ageing.

Jess Kuehne from the Centre for Ageing Better, said “it’s clear that we need to give equal weighting to activities that boost muscle and bone strength and improve balance rather than simply focus on aerobic exercise.

“There is significant potential to make saving to health and social care services if we do more to promote muscle strengthening and balance activities and recognise their role in helping to keep people healthy and independent for longer, particularly as they age.

“Current statistics show that falls are responsible for around 95% of all hip fractures, costing the NHS more than £1 billion a year. For employers and the economy, musculoskeletal health conditions are the second most common cause of sickness in the UK, accounting for 30.8 million days lost in work.

Published by Backcare.org.uk in TalkBack Autumn 2018 issue available for download here

Full report available here

Also see ageing better here

The Charity Arthritis Research UK says as many as 8 in 10 people eligible for support may be missing out on life-changing equipment, such as grab rails, raised toilet seats or non-slip shower mats.

Aids and adaptations in the house play a vital role in helping people with arthritis and related conditions lead a more independent lives and reduce the risk of them needing more formal care or even A&E services. Almost everyone with arthritis that the charity surveyed (95%) who currently uses aids and adaptations, said they improved their quality of life. However, almost a fifth of those eligible are not using aids or adaptations at all.

Although local authorities have a duty to make aids and adaptions available, more than of half of survey respondents with arthritis and eligible support are buying equipment themselves, missing out on their entitlement. The average cost of aid in the charity’s study was £200.

The report argues that too many people are unaware of their rights because councils are not providing adequate information. Of survey respondents who are eligible, but not currently using aids and adaptions, over 85% were unaware their local authority has a duty to provide this type of equipment.  While a third of people sought information, only 1 in 10 surveyed said their local authority was their main source of advice, despite councils’ duty to make information accessible.

Arthritis Research UK is calling all local authorities to ensure people with arthritis and related conditions are assessed and, if eligible given aids and minor adaptations free of charge.

Morgan Vine, Campaigns Manager at Arthritis Research UK, said, “Aids and adaptations are at the front line in of UK’s social care system. It’s not fair that of the 17.8m people with arthritis and related conditions, so few are aware that this support is out there and even fewer have been assessed and provided with equipment they need and should be getting for free.  Adapting someones bathroom so that they can get up from a toilet can lead to fewer slips and falls, potentially avoiding emergency care.”

Published by Backcare.org.uk TalkBack Autumn 2018 available for download here

What is Neurological Physiotherapy?

Damage to your central nervous system, including your brain and spinal cord, means that the messages from your brain are not reaching the affected parts of your body.

This can result in loss of movement and sensation, uncoordinated movement, weak and floppy muscles, spasm and tremor.

How does Neurological Physiotherapy Help?

Neurological Physiotherapy is able to kick-start the message pathways that your brain is struggling to use, to make new pathways through repetitive actions and exercises.

Many of our clients who undergo Neurological Physiotherapy can improve symptoms such as, difficulties with loss of balance, loss of hand and arm, or leg and foot function, walking, and pain.

What conditions can a Neurological Physiotherapy Treat

Our therapist are experts in the treatment of all neurological conditions including:

Stroke

Head Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

MS

Parkinson’s

What is Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal which is also called orthopaedic physiotherapy and is used to treat conditions such as sprains, back pain, arthritis, strains, bursitis, posture problems, sport and workplace injuries, plus reduced mobility.

Rehabilitation following surgery is also included within this category.

How Does Physiotherapy Work

Physiotherapists have been trained to use exercise therapy to strengthen muscles and improve function.

Physiotherapy exercises have been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to solve or prevent pain and injury.

What is the Benefit of Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy benefits include decreasing pain, improving joint mobility, increasing strength and coordination and improved cardio-respiratory function.

Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy whether living with a chronic illness, recovering from a work injury or suffering after that weekend hockey game.

Image courtesy of 123RF

The following is from an article published in Talkback Autumn 2017 by BackCare

When a business invests in its employees, it showcases that health and wellbeing are prioritised and that staff are valued. The outcome include increased employee satisfaction and participation – while reducing the likelihood of hardworking individuals seeking employment elsewhere.

Unfortunately, a vast number of companies remain oblivious to these needs.

Steve Bays, director at Century Office, said “in the UK today, we have a very mixed group of employers. Some will buy any type of office chair, as long as it has “office chair” written in the description. Some will buy cheap chairs and throw them away when broken; some see furniture as a non-profit-making necessity; others recognise the benefits of good furniture over workers’ performance and staff retention.”

Early prevention is key, as possible health conditions can easily be avoided with the right chair. Additionally, it is important that employers are able to recognise signs of employee discomfort – and, ideally, be the first to face the issue, before the workers need time off due to health-related issues.

Equally, it is essential for the employees to alert those in charge of potentially painful and hazardous seating.

Flexibility Checklist

NOT ONE person is built the same. You will likely have staff of all shapes and sizes, and the chair you buy ultimately needs to flexible and versatile and fit them all. So go for seating that you can adjust to guarantee a more comfortable workspace for everyone. This includes:

• Height: Being able to increase and decrease your seating’s height allows each person to have their feet flat on the floor and thighs at a 90-degree angle. If necessary, use a footstool to achieve this. Adjustment of the height should take forearms into consideration: make sure they are level with the desk and there’s enough space for hands and wrists to be fully supported. Another factor is the height in relation to the VDU screen; eyes should be level with the top of the screen and the distance needs to be about 700mm.

• Width and depth; It is important to be able to change the seat depth so all can sit comfortably while leaving 50mm between the seat edge and the inside leg.

• Seat: An adjustable seat is necessary. Make sure it is slightly tilted forward to achieve even pressure on the underside of the leg and buttocks.

• Support: Special focus should be on the lower back. This area needs to be fully supported or you can begin to slouch, which in turn eliminates the natural curve of your back.

• Flexibility: The office chair needs to encourage movement in all directions without having to stand up abruptly and subject your back to unnecessary strain and harm. The swivel of the chair is, in this case, vital for well-functioning office seating.

Here is a link to a publication from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, for those sat at their desk all day and some handy exercises. Exercise Leaflet

If you should need any assistance please contact me at DDB Physiotherapy Clinic.

Early assessments can identify potential problems and help improve quality of life

ADULTS with the early stages of Parkinson’s can benefit from a referral to physiotherapists for an assessment, education and advice according to the updated guidelines from the the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Nice Guidance 71

The document, published in July, update a 2006 version and says referral should be made to physiotherapists with experience in Parkinson’s.

Crucially, physiotherapist should provide information about exercise when offering advice to people in the early stages of this condition.

DDB Physiotherapy Clinic has highly experienced physiotherapist that can offer guidance, and exercise for early onset of Parkinson’s and have had some fantastic results using PD Warrior

PD Warrior is an exercise based treatment designed to help slow down Parkinson’s.

PD Warrior is good for you, will motivate you and give you hope.

Your Body Your  Health Our Help

Reference: CSP 2010: How Healthy is the UK workforce? Sickness Costs

Workplace physiotherapy solutions can provide services to a wide selection of industries, including commercial, industrial, retail and call centres environments.

Did you know that Muscular Skeletal Disorders (MSD) accounts for nearly a third of the total time taken off sick from work, equating to 31 million work days and a cost of £7.4 billion a year , employers also lose as much as £15 billion a year through presenteeism, when staff are at work but not performing to their full potential because they are unwell.

Average wage £512 per week for a full time employee on a 38hr week, usually take 2 MSD days in a year and the cost to the employer is in the region of £200 per employee, per year.

Growing body of evidence, particularly from larger organisations, that are investing in health and wellbeing of staff has very real business benefits. For example, one employer experienced a return of £34 for every £1 they invested in terms of reduced absence rates and improved retention by providing in house and discounted physiotherapy for all staff

Early access to physiotherapy can be particularly be effective in preventing the condition becoming worse or turning into a serious long term condition. If left untreated, MSDs can become increasingly disabling with people experiencing problems such as walking due to low back pain or being unable to dress without assistance due to a stiff shoulder.

Work place physiotherapy can help to:
• Prevent people going off work
• Get people back to work on full duties
• Facilitate a managed return to work
• Deliver cost effective service to employers

Some low cost ideas include:
• Encouraging staff to get active in their breaks and lunchtimes.
• Displaying free leaflets and posters offering advice on health at work
• Encouraging staff to report physical problems early
• Allowing staff to take time off to visit GP or Physiotherapist
• Encouraging flexible working
• Modifying vending machines and cafeteria menus
• Company-Sponsored events

Resources:
Sickness Cost http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/sickness-costs
Fitness Profits http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/fitness-profits
Fit for Work http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/fit-work

Who created PD Warrior?

PD Warrior was created in 20111 by two neurological physiotherapists in Australia. (more…)

Prevention is always better than cure and the best way to keep away flu, colds, fever and infections is by boosting your immune system, so that it can effectively fight off these problems. (more…)

As reported in Frontline:

New guidance from NHS England could help trusts access £450 million fund designed to provide staff with health and well-being services, including physiotherapy. (more…)