![]()
December Newsletter
With Christmas and New Year in the very near future, we wanted to wish you all the best during the holidays and hope you have a wonderful time filled with love and laughter. All Chiropractors are now back from their holidays with Erin having just returned from Japan.
The clinic will remain open during the holiday period and please make note of our current Christmas hours
Monday 23rd December - 8am - 5pm (Erin and Sophie)
Tuesday 24th December - 8am -12pm ( Erin and Sophie)
Christmas Day and Boxing day - closed
Friday 27th December - 8am -1pm (Sophie)
Saturday 28th December - 8am -12pm (Alex and Sophie)
Sunday 29th December - Closed
Monday 30th December - 8am - 8pm (Erin and Alex)
Tuesday 31st December - 8am - 12pm (Erin and Andrea)
Wednesday 1st January - Closed
Thursday 2nd January - Back to regular hours
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and can't wait to see you all in the New Year, here's to 2025!
However, on a sadder note, we need to announce the retirement of Andrea, we wanted to share some words from her. She will be missed by all in the clinic.
I graduated as a chiropractor nearly 40 years ago and have loved every minute of my career, for over 30 years in Leicester and then for the last 3 ½ years here in Beeston. It has been a joy and a privilege to get to know and treat you all.
Unfortunately, in recent months a couple of health issues, not life threatening, but sadly work limiting mean that I have had to take the incredibly hard decision to retire as a chiropractor at the end of January 2025.
I am so very sorry to be leaving the clinic, my brilliant colleagues and equally wonderful patients but I know I am leaving you in very safe hands. I shall be working closely with the chiropractors in the clinic; Alex Newton, Sophie Merritt-Drew and Erin Wong, to ensure the smoothest handover possible and I know they will continue to care for you all extremely well.
I do hope that I will have the opportunity to see many of you personally before I leave so please do not hesitate to contact the clinic to book an appointment or if you have any questions about the transfer of your care.
It has been an absolute privilege to care for you all and I will miss the clinic so much.
With very best wishes
Andrea Day
Top Tips to Avoid Back Pain at Christmas
As we approach the Christmas season, you might be more worried about piling on the pounds and feeling like a Christmas Pudding on the big day than anything else, but you’d be surprised how many people hurt their back over the festive period!
Did you know… There is an increase in patients coming in to the clinic with backaches and pains that have appeared during the Christmas period.
In fact… There are many ways you can hurt your back at Christmas. Bending and lifting heavy items like Christmas trees, furniture or even the turkey can easily strain your back or exacerbate existing aches and pains.
If you do hurt your back or neck during the holidays, your first thought might be to put your feet up on the sofa and watch some festive films and wait till the pain disappears.
But remember… Although this may seem like the obvious option, it is much more beneficial for your back to keep your muscles moving.
Here are our top tips to avoid back pain at Christmas:
- If you’re lifting heavy or awkward objects like the Christmas tree or furniture, always ask for help and make sure you also bend your knees when lifting heavier items!
- When you’re putting up decorations, use a stepladder to avoid over stretching or straining your back or neck.
- Make sure you go for regular walks over the holidays, and if you don’t have time, make sure you’re supporting your back at all times with a small cushion.
Weather Changes and Chronic Back Pain
Temperatures are changing as the colder seasons approach. Those who suffer with chronic back pain might notice that their condition aggravates as temperatures or seasons change. Although there’s not much scientific evidence to prove a link between chronic pain and humidity, temperature changes and wind speed, weather changes can certainly affect those who suffer with joint pain conditions, especially arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The most commonly accepted reasoning is that with colder temperatures comes lower air pressure, which can cause joint tissues to expand and further worsen joints already prone to swelling and tenderness.
If cold weather worsens your pain, you can take these three simple steps to combat it.
- Heat Therapy
Including heat therapy in your daily routine can help to reduce stiffness and boost healing through increased blood circulation. Try applying a warm towel or a heating pad to your painful area for about 20 minutes for temporary pain relief. You can also opt for over-the-counter heat wraps.
- Water Therapy
If you like swimming, try to visit heated indoor pools with hot baths, Jacuzzis and saunas a few times a week for almost instant pain relief.
- Stay Active
As tempting as it is to lounge on the sofa during winter evenings, it is crucial to keep your spine mobile and stay active. If your pain is too severe to go to the gym, try long walks with hiking poles or a Pilates routine at home.
However, if your pain stops you from leading a normal life, the best option is to visit your doctor and professionally address the root causes of joint and back pain.
Change Your Diet To Minimise Osteoporosis Risk
As lifestyle changes in the 21st century make the condition of osteoporosis ever more prevalent, it becomes a threat that you should take into consideration.
The ageing population, dietary trends such as dairy intolerance and the increase in eating disorders like anorexia all contribute to the growing numbers of sufferers. Today’s indoor lifestyle is also a factor, since a lack of vitamin D from the sun hinders your absorption of dietary calcium.
The frightening part of this condition is that it is sometimes not diagnosed until a bone is broken. A way to assess your risk of fracture is a bone density scan. This is the most accurate way of measuring the strength of bones. This scan can be organised through your GP or private clinics, and then appropriate advice can be given by your GP or chiropractor.
There are precautions we can all take to minimise the threat of osteoporosis to our physical health and mobility, both by medical and natural means.
A nutritious diet, and taking supplements where need be, is of paramount importance. If you’re vegan or don’t consume dairy products for other reasons, it’s important to find an alternative source of calcium in your diet. Leafy greens or tinned, soft-bone fish such as salmon or sardines are great options. It’s important to be aware that some foods make it harder to absorb calcium, such as carbonated drinks.
To help your body absorb calcium, vitamin D is essential. As well as synthesizing this from the sun’s UVB rays, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines provide some vitamin D. However, especially in the UK, vitamin D supplements are recommended.
Another key nutrient for bone health is magnesium. While this mineral contributes to many functions in the body from nerve function to immune health, it is primary found in bone crystals, contributing to their strength. Magnesium is often included in calcium supplements.
Vitamin C plays an important role too. Collagen is the main protein in bone, and Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C is present in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and in many vegetables.
Chiropractors are fully qualified manipulative practitioners who diagnose and treat disorders of bones, as well as muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Your chiropractor will give you specific advice on how to strengthen your skeleton and minimise your risk.
