Blue Turtle Physio Monthly Blog: A Little More Kindness, A Little More Care...
Issue 5
Hi everyone!
A little more on time this month! I hope everyone is doing okay and coping well with the change of season, especially with the noticeable drop in temperature.
I'm certainly appreciating the little comforts at the moment. Sometimes it's the simplest things that make the biggest difference to how we feel. Speaking of which, before we get into what's been happening in the clinic, go grab yourself a cuppa, get comfortable, and let's catch up.
Reflecting on October
October has been a lovely mix of autumnal changes, little adventures, creativity and plenty of reasons to feel grateful.
First of all, the clinic is looking very autumnal at the moment, with the colours changing around us and that cosy feeling creeping in. I've had the pleasure of welcoming both new and familiar faces into the clinic this month, and it's always so lovely to catch up with existing clients whilst meeting new ones and hearing everyone's stories.
I also managed to squeeze in a little holiday to Italy with my in-laws, which was just what I needed. It was such a wholesome trip, filled with good food, family time and some of life's simple pleasures. We picked fresh limes and pomegranates straight from the trees, enjoyed plenty of chill time and, of course, made the most of the €2 bottles of wine! Honestly, what more could you want?
And if anyone remembers me mentioning that I wanted to try making pasta from scratch... I DID IT! I have photo evidence and everything. There's something so satisfying about making something yourself, especially when it involves a little trial and error along the way.
This actually brings me nicely onto something I've been thinking about recently: making time to be creative.
Whether it's trying a new recipe, cooking something from scratch, picking up a craft, getting your hands dirty in the garden or simply having a go at something you've never done before, I think it's so important to give ourselves that opportunity.
We spend so much of our time thinking, planning, working and getting through our endless to-do lists that we can sometimes forget to make space for the creative side of our brains. Doing something purely for enjoyment, without worrying about being particularly good at it, can be such a lovely way to switch off and recharge.
And before I mention the 'C' word (yes, Christmas!), I've set myself a little challenge this year to make some handmade gifts. I'm really looking forward to getting creative, trying a few new things and hopefully producing some lovely little presents along the way. Watch this space!
October has also been a little sentimental for another reason. Exactly one year ago today, my wife and I surprised our families with our elopement and followed it up with a big celebration party. It's been lovely reminiscing about that day and smiling my way through all the memories. How quickly a year goes!
Clinic Updates:
Back to clinic things, and something I've been introducing with a few clients recently is moving towards maintenance appointments following a really positive recovery from injury.
You might have heard me mention this before, but it's something I feel is worth explaining a little more.
For some people, after a period of more regular treatment (perhaps weekly or fortnightly appointments over 4–6 weeks), we've reached a point where symptoms have settled, movement has improved and things are feeling much more manageable.
Rather than simply stopping treatment altogether, a maintenance approach can be a useful preventative option.
This might mean spacing appointments out and booking a check-in around 4–6 weeks after your last session. It's an opportunity to see how you're getting on, check that everything is still moving in the right direction, address any niggles early and make sure you're continuing to feel confident with your progress.
Of course, maintenance isn't something everyone needs, and it will always depend on your individual circumstances and goals. The aim is to help you maintain the progress you've made, rather than waiting until something becomes a problem again.
GIFT VOUCHERS
With the festive season slowly creeping up (there, I've said it again!), if you're looking for a thoughtful gift for someone special, gift vouchers are available
purchase directly from the clinic. A lovely way to give the gift of time, care and a little wellbeing.
A reminder...
The Turtle Nest- Outdoor Hire
The Turtle Nest is officially open for bookings. If you have an idea for how you'd like to use the space, I'd love to hear from you, we can probably make it work!
Whether you're a wellness practitioner looking for a space to host a class, a teacher planning a workshop, a content creator searching for somewhere with a little character, or simply someone with an idea you'd love to bring to life, This could be just the place.
Want to find out more or enquire about booking? Click below...
Wellness Tip of The Month:
'Try something new'
Challenge yourself to do one thing you've never done before. It could be trying a new recipe, taking up a different activity or giving a hobby a go that you've always been curious about.
Stepping outside our usual routines gives us the opportunity to learn, be creative and challenge ourselves in new ways. It doesn't matter if you're not very good at it to begin with, that's all part of the fun!
Remember, it's never too late to learn something new. Sometimes the little challenges are the ones that bring us the most joy!
“Every new experience is an opportunity to discover something you didn't know you were capable of.”
A Motivational Quote
To keep us all inspired, here is a quote:
“It always seems impossible until it's done".
– Nelson Mandela
Client Spotlight- The Ozzy Osbourne lover
This gentleman first came to see me in January with a sudden onset of left-sided radicular pain, travelling all the way down his leg and into his foot.
From our initial assessment, it was clear that his symptoms were consistent with a lumbar disc injury, with a very recognisable pattern of referred nerve pain.
Following further investigation, an MRI confirmed a lumbar disc bulge at L4-L5 and a central disc protrusion at L5-S1.
Now, he won't mind me saying that when he first walked into the clinic, he was using a crutch, struggling to manage everyday movements and unable to lie comfortably on his front to have treatment. With the additional complexity of living with Alzheimer's disease, this was always going to require a little extra thought, patience and consistency with his rehabilitation.
I also want to give a HUGE shoutout to his wife, who has been an absolute superstar throughout this process. Her consistency with his care, making sure he was completing the exercises I prescribed and keeping me updated with every little detail, has been invaluable. Having that level of support at home can make such a difference to someone's rehabilitation journey.
I know there were times when he felt incredibly frustrated. At one point, we even discussed the possibility of surgery, as his symptoms were having such a significant impact on his quality of life.
But with perseverance, the right education, a carefully managed rehabilitation plan and plenty of hard work, things gradually started to change.
Fast forward to Wednesday this week, when I last saw him, and I couldn't have been happier with his progress!
No back pain.
No radicular symptoms.
Back behind the wheel and driving again!
Enjoying everyday activities much more comfortably.
And, thankfully, even managing to get away on holiday this year!
He does still have a little residual numbness in one of his toes, which we're continuing to monitor, but the difference from where he started is incredible.
We're now focusing on building his strength and core stability, improving his confidence with movement and helping him maintain the progress he's worked so hard to achieve.
Of course, recovery isn't always a completely straight line, and there may still be the odd niggle or irritation with certain day-to-day activities. That's all part of understanding your body and knowing how to manage it.
But what makes me particularly proud of his journey is that we've achieved such a positive outcome through a conservative approach, using traditional physiotherapy techniques, acupuncture, appropriate exercise and, most importantly, a whole lot of commitment from him and his family.
I am SO proud of how far he's come. And to his wife, thank you for being such an important part of this journey.
This is exactly why I love what I do. Seeing someone go from struggling to walk comfortably to getting back behind the wheel, enjoying holidays and getting on with everyday life is incredibly rewarding.
Know someone struggling with a similar injury? Get in touch!
Contact details:
Email - blueturtlephysio@gmail.com
Phone- 07356294999
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