Update on Joe

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 16:44:23 +0100

Thanks to all who have so kindly shown an interest in wee Joe’s condition. Here you can see his new semi-permanent trach tube which is usually used for racehorses.

Despite still having some problems with getting it to stay in place as Joe is a very active little pony who loves to play with his friends, everything is going very well just now and Joe has already grown out of his turnout rug and has got a new one 2 sizes bigger! Although we like to keep our equines as naturally as possible, Joe still doesn’t have much fat coverage and with the prolonged rain and temperatures down to 9C (in the afternoon!) the occasional protection with a lightweight, waterproof rug is important for our peace of mind.

Here he is getting his cuddle!

Osteopathy and Dentistry

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 10:18:54 +0100

We chew and swallow 1200-1300 times a day, so over the course of a day, there is a great deal of force that is exerted on the mouth. Muscles of mastication (chewing) pull down and in on in the face, while with proper swallowing, the tongue pushes and spreads the upper jaw/lower face apart. It is the balance between these forces that helps determine the structure of the mouth and position of the teeth.
Sometimes the size of the palate is determined by genetic factors; other times trauma to the face can interfere with proper growth.
If a person has a chronic chewing or swallowing problem, the muscles involved tighten up creating tension in the jaw, face, neck, and upper back. This can cause a characteristic posture with the head moved more forward on the body and larger curves in the neck and low back than usual.
With the increase in tension of the muscles of swallowing, the lower jaw usually moves backwards from its normal position to compensate (occasionally it moves forward). This will put stress on the TMJ (jaw joint) and can eventually cause pain, popping, and/or clicking in the joint. It will also change the alignment of the teeth causing increased forces on some and decreased forces on others.

Osteopathically supported dentistry works with the body, that is, it harnesses the body's inherent forces whenever possible. It recognizes the fact that changes in the head can affect the rest of the body and visa versa
Remember that the true problem is rarely just where the symptoms present (face or TMJ), as it is a whole body problem. So the osteopath treats what they find, not just symptoms.
Common links with:
Face pain or congested sinuses
Headache and migraine
Ear infections, blocked ears
Neck and back pain
Irritable bowel syndrome
Fatigue and poor concentration

Clinic:
52, Harley Street
within One to One Dental Clinic
London
W1G 9PY

Posture Training

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 10:29:23 +0100

For those wishing to attain poise and ease of movement, this program is based on 3 easy steps to good posture and aims to teach that posture is not some sort of static, frozen ideal but is soft, mobile, fluid and dynamic!

1. Awareness of self
The first step is to become more aware of your own body and how your emotions and internal body chemistry affect the way you look, behave and move.

2. Weight distribution and stability
You will learn both the theory and practice behind posture, balance and movement. How to identify risk factors in different activities, including ergonomics and lifting.

3. Ease of posture
‘Nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease. Grass doesn't try to grow, it just grows like flowers they just bloom. So when things don't go your way for the moment let go of the way you think they should be and realise there may be a bigger picture....’ Deepak Chopra. Once you have learnt the principles and techniques, good posture will follow with ease.

You will learn about the causes of discomfort or pain, receive osteopathic treatment as necessary, learn back and limb stability exercises and how to identify risk factors and avoid injuring your back.
This program is designed for those with low or no back pain. It consists of an initial two hour session of detailed assessment and planning followed by eight hour sessions at weekly (or greater) intervals.

You will find more information at www.posture-stability.co.uk
If you are suffering back pain at the moment or have chronic or repeated bouts of pain, please ask about the Back Stability program which includes more specific help as well as postural education.

Equine tracheostomy

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:08:06 +0100

Apologies for not posting recently as we have been rather occupied for the last 10 weeks with one of our ponies, Joe, who suddenly developed laryngeal paralysis requiring an emergency tracheostomy. As he is so young and small, it has been quite a job for the vets and us to manage but we think he is finally stable!!

He has been a model patient generally despite trying to asphyxiate on a rather too regular basis and is a real sweetie. He lost a lot of condition literally overnight and it has been hard work with a lot of pampering to get him looking better. He’s not quite there yet but hopefully will keep getting stronger every day.

However, we are now experienced in tracheostomy management but hope never to have to put our expertise into practice again for either humans or equines!

Tips for managing hay fever

Fri, 9 May 2008 13:02:34 +0100

At least 15% of the population suffer from hay fever and 25% of all young people between the age of 11 and 21 are sufferers.
Just at the time when examinations can have a major impact for the rest of their lives young people are serious affected by hay fever.
Tips for managing Hay fever.
• Put a smearing of Vaseline inside each nostril to ease the soreness and to capture pollen entering the nasal passages.
• Wear wrap around sunglasses to reduce allergens affecting the eyes.
• Never sleep with the bedroom window open.
• Don't drive with the window open.
• Take off clothes before entering the bedroom. Taking your clothes off inside the bedroom will transfer the outside allergens attached to your clothes into the area that you are sleeping in.
• Wash your hair before going to bed. Pollen sticks to your hair and will transfer to your pillow making for a very disturbing bed mate.
• Hanging your washing on the line? Make sure that you hang it out mid-morning and bring it in before early evening otherwise you could be bringing in a load of pollen into your house.
Remember to think about the food you eat - people don't realise there is a connection.   If you react to:-
Birch - you may also react to: Celery, Curry Spices, Raw Tomato, Raw Carrot, Apples, Pears, Kiwi
Grasses - you may also react to: Oats, Rye, Wheat, Kiwi. Raw Tomato  Weeds - you may also react to: Raw Carrots, Curry Spices  Mould - you may also react to: Yeast