DCW Osteopathy

05/11/2025

Further to my live this morning. Had successful 15th blood donation. A pint of my finest 🩸🅰️➕ Iron levels tip top 💪

05/11/2025

28/10/2025

SUPER SUCCESS

September proved to be a time of great success starting with completing the Superhalfs Series at Copenhagen, receiving the supersize, Super Medal. Have you not seen the medal? Where have you been? I wore the heavy, dinner plate size, super medal for 14 days consecutively. I had to reinforce the ribbon as it came undone. I wore the medal to work, to my home visits, when I played tennis, walking in the forest, gardening and even running.

It was a real sense of achievement completing the Superhalfs. The series consisted of five half marathons (13.1 miles) in Europe: Valencia, Lisbon, Prague, Cardiff and Copenhagen all to be completed in 36 months. I’m not the fastest runner of the pack, my average time is 2hr 40mins. A long time on your feet! The tallest tortoise in Chingford did good! I am super proud of myself. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Another success story occurred in recent weeks with a patient who came into see me with foot drop, a complaint he possibly acquired from being in a hospital bed for several weeks post heart surgery.

Foot drop is a condition whereby you are unable to lift the front part of your foot, causing the toes to drag on the ground while walking. Foot drop is nerve damage whether it is from the spine or peripheral nerve.

It was undetermined when, or how the injury occurred. My patient was under the care of NHS neurotherapy team. He was given a support boot to wear by the physiotherapist. Foot drop nerve injuries are measured on a neurological deficit scale of 0-5, with zero being no movement/reflex in the big toe, little or no chance of recovery; to 5 being fully recovered, fully functioning foot, nerve revived. My pt measured zero on the scale. He felt quite helpless when he came to see me.

At the initial consultation I asked Kevin (not his real name) what he wanted to achieve, his expectations. He wanted to walk again without fear of tripping up. I’ve had previous success with another patient several years ago who had a similar complaint to Kevin. With that patient I was 90% successful. I couldn’t guarantee that the nerve would repair but I did feel confident that I could improve Kevin’s balance, strength in his feet, ankles and toes.

The weekly sessions comprise of rigorous, strong articulation to his ankles, feet and toes. A series of foundation exercises concentrated on balance, strength, proprioception in order to improve walking gait, and lower limb function. Kevin had lots of homework too. After 6 weeks of intense treatment, we had movement in the big toe! Brilliant news! Kevin was no longer wearing the support boot, his walking gait was improving, he was clearing his toes off the ground.

We continued with our weekly sessions, upping the ante on the exercises to strengthen the lower limbs. Huge part is mindset. Changing the way we think about our bodies. When an injury is recovering, it helps to think it’s better. Say to yourself I’m better, my body is recovering. Having a positive mindset is so powerful, it really does help.

Fourteen weeks of treatment, Kevin has an appointment with the NHS consultant surgeon specialising in foot drop with the view to have surgery to repair the damaged nerve. However when the surgeon saw Kevin walk down the corridor, he was extremely surprised. Kevin explained that he had seen an osteopath (me) every week, who had given him exercises. The consultant agreed that the exercises were excellent.

The consultant completed the neurological deficit test, rated Kevin 3 out of 5 on the scale. The nerve was repairing, there was definite scope for further improvement. The consultant did say that it was unlikely to have full /complete function but possible to reach 90%. Surgery definitely not required. Advised to carry on with the exercises. The consultant signed off my patient! Fantastic!

Absolutely stoked that Kevin’s injury has recovered. He now walks for long periods of time in the forest, he has improved function of his foot/toe and can almost stand on his heels. Improving all the time, we have achieved his expectations. Kevin’s next goal is to run. Best get out my Super Medal!

I’m sharing (with consent) Kevin’s story to show you that osteopathy is not just backs. How I work/treat is different from other osteopaths. I really care about my patients. I want to understand what the problem is, research injuries I’m not familiar with, in order to help, make a positive difference to people’s lives. If you know of anyone in a similar situation to Kevin, who may have walking difficulties or nerve damage please send them my details. I will always help where I can.

Equally, if you feel you’ve had good service from me, helped you recover from an injury, and/or improved your health please would you kindly give me a review on either Google and /or Facebook. If you don’t use either channel, send me a message with your comments.

Here is the link for the Google review

https://g.page/r/CWjcf1MECNHcEBM/review

The reviews help reach out to a wider audience. I want to help as many people as I can. Gain more success stories like Kevin, who now plays football with his grandchildren, walks in the forest and has his active life restored.

Thank you

Kind Regards
Daniela
aka Super Medal, Super Runner

08/09/2025

One week to go to Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday 14 September. My last race of the Superhalfs series. Looking forward to picking up my super size medal.

I am running for Make A Wish Foundation. If you are able to spare a little change I would be most grateful.
A small change can mean a big change for a child with a life-limiting illness. Thank you so much.

Help Daniela Witten raise money to support Make-A-Wish Foundation UK

31/08/2025

22/08/2025

Solo run. Training for Copenhagen half marathon in Sept. Very steep hilly route to Copped Hall and back. Pleased w effort. Ran entire route.

20/08/2025

OH 5 on the Rides Race No.3 last one in the series. 5k run in the hilly forest. It was bit chilly to start, wearing vest my arms were cold.
All races have done so far contribute to the training for the Copenhagen half marathon in mid September.
Training in earnest starts at the weekend.
If you need help w your training, resolve any aches, or ni**les give me a call. Details in my bio.

18/08/2025

A great google review from Vivien Garland. If you have any joint injuries, or in need of rehabilitation give me a call on
07377 990809 or click on the link below

https://dcw-osteopathy.au1.cliniko.com/bookings

16/08/2025

Visiting friends this weekend, decided to be a tourist at the Frimley Lodge Park Run. Massive turnout of 750 runners. Came 517th. Good to see so many people enjoying exercise. If you need help w returning to fitness, you have a ni**le or an injury book in a session w me. Details are in my bio.