The joint and Back Clinic

15/05/2023

Thanks to all the well wishers, for all your kind messages and patience whilst I have been off work due to an injury.
The Joint and Back Clinic Mayfield is now back operating as normal.Please phone me directly on 07939129626 to book your appointments.I look forward to catching up with you all soon.
Nigel Kettle Osteopath

05/11/2020

National lockdown - Osteopathic practices to stay open.

Below is part of a message from the Institute of Osteopathy, the trade body for UK Osteopaths. Good news for patients as we continue to stay open as a profession in the UK and provide essential heath care to the population. We have put many adaptations in place for patient protection since and during the last lockdown.
Nigel Kettle Osteopath 'The Joint and Back Clinic', Mayfield


4 November 2020


The Government legislation today puts in place a further national lockdown for England as of tomorrow, Thursday 5 November, restricting social interactions and non-essential business services. This follows similar increased restrictions brought in by Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

As expected, the legislation allows the public to continue to access medical services, including osteopathic services, throughout this period and replicates previous legislation that identifies osteopaths as essential workers in the provision of healthcare services.

This position is similar in the other home nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in which osteopaths can remain open for the provision of much needed local health services.

In short, your clinics are permitted to stay open for general practice, which includes domiciliary visits for care.

It was a key message of the Prime Minister’s address on Saturday, that the public should continue to seek the health services they need, keep scheduled appointments and not postpone seeking appropriate care – which underlines the importance placed on individuals accessing the care they need despite social restrictions.

We have always maintained that osteopaths have a vital role to play in the provision of health services in their local communities. It feels like now more than ever your services will be needed in the coming weeks.

19/05/2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY - 19.05.2020
Osteopaths have been allowed to practise throughout this period of 'lockdown'. Before this date, to minimise risk, we were only treating emergency cases and NHS staff, carers and essential workers while also offering advice to regular patients by telephone.

As of 19.05.2020, we will continue to STAY SAFE whilst opening up treatment to a wider group of patients.

We will now also be treating:

Those with symptoms which have been triggered since lockdown and have not been resolved with self-help or medication.

The discomfort that might have arisen during 'lockdown' for those who are used to regular maintenance visits and those with chronic conditions who feel that feel their symptoms have deteriorated.

COVID-SAFE:

We will continue to take the following precautions to maximise safety and maintain social distancing in the clinic (except during treatment):

Patients are requested to ring the door bell at the time of their appointment. If you should arrive early, please wait in the car. You will be asked to use the hand gel provided as you enter the building & before you go to the treatment room, which will be freshly sanitised. The treatment tables and pillows will be covered with plastic, not cloth.

As a patient if you wish to wear a mask and/ or gloves you are very welcome; they should be put on just before coming in to the building.

The bathroom has an ample supply of hot water and soap. Towels should be placed in the washing basket immediately after use.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT:

Request by PHONE in the first instance on 07939 129626.
If you feel unwell with Covid-type symptoms, have had exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed Covid or are undertaking an isolation period following known exposure, please do not come to the practice or booked appointment. Call me immediately, we can still give advice over the phone and are happy to discuss your options for future attendance.

We can only see a limited number of patients per day because STAYING SAFE takes time.

WE THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING OUR STRINGENT PROTOCOL TO STAY SAFE!

21/10/2019

Hi All, i write articles for the village magazine on occasion . this is one from the past but is pertinent
this time of year.

Vitamin D

As we enter the short and darker times of the year sunlight and the good and bad things that can arise because of its absence is a topic to consider.

Our bodies create vitamin D because of skins exposure to sunlight, although how much exposure we need depends on how dark or light our skin is and how much we cover ourselves up with clothes and or sun creams. Obviously, we will get the majority of our exposure during the summer and spring months from April to September and this should carry us through the rest of the year, in theory. We also get some Vitamin D from red meat, fish, eggs and when fortified in breakfast cereals or as direct supplementation from the health food shop.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and is part of the bodily process of absorbing calcium and phosphate from our diets, which are then used for building and maintaining the structure of teeth, bones and muscles.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause bones to become soft and weak as in Rickets which then leads to bony deformities in children. In adults, it causes Osteomalacia (softening of bone) which causes pain in the joints and obviously, the bones themselves. Other Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms include- weight gain, low bone density/ osteoporosis and history of fractures, fatigue and generalized weakness, muscle cramps and weakness, plantar fasciitis, joint pain (most noticeable in the back and knees), blood sugar issues, low immunity, low calcium levels in the blood, . Low levels of D are known to cause Sarcopenia (muscle weakness) and consequently instability and falls. The muscle weakness is interesting as the deficiency induces ‘muscle atrophy’ which is a loss of muscle bulk and power compromising its contractile abilities, producing weakness and a ‘swaying of posture when in movement’.

Some groups are at greater risk of deficiency such as expectant mothers, babies and children up to 4 years of age and people who are infrequently exposed to sunlight such as the infirm, the housebound, those in institutions or those who habitually wear clothes that cover a lot of their skin. For children and mothers there is a government scheme in operation to address this issue. Medications of certain types can also cause the condition, as can hypoparathyroidism and kidney disorders.

There is an increasing awareness among osteopaths and doctors regarding Vitamin D deficiency and the symptoms and signs of the conditions it can cause; there is also an increasing level of testing, it has yet to become common place among health professionals. How widespread the problem is well no one really knows, but from a reasonably recent paper in the BMJ ‘The increasing prevalence of disorders linked to vitamin D deficiency is reflected in the several hundred children with rickets treated each year in the UK. However, these children represent a small proportion of the individuals with a suboptimal vitamin D status in the UK population.
A recent nationwide survey in the United Kingdom showed that more than 50% of the adult population have insufficient levels of vitamin D and that 16% have severe deficiency during winter and spring’. So common enough to be a concern.

Nigel Kettle BSc(Hons)Ost
Registered Osteopath
The Joint and Back Clinic
Located just outside the Village in Roseland’s Avenue.
Tel: 07939129626 for appointments or advice

www.jointandback.com for more information

I am a Registered Osteopath offering a wide range of therapies from my clinic in Mayfield East Sussex, close to Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and Heathfield. I also work from other clinics in Reigate and Epsom in Surrey

11/10/2019

I am a Registered Osteopath offering a wide range of therapies from my clinic in Mayfield East Sussex, close to Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and Heathfield. I also work from other clinics in Reigate and Epsom in Surrey

16/09/2019

Interesting article from the Institute of Osteopathy the osteopaths trade body.
Why women should do weights
Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones more brittle and prone to fracture. Although osteoporosis can effect men and younger people, post-menopausal women are most at risk. One of the best ways to help maintain healthy bones is to exercise regularly – which encourages the bones to absorb calcium and other mineral salts that keep bones strong.
Weight bearing exercises and weight resisted exercises are best for strengthening bones and muscles and as well as helping to keep bones in good health may also reduce the likelihood of falls as you age. Weight bearing exercises are those where your body is supporting its own weight, such as walking or housework or carrying groceries. Weight resisted exercise involves pushing or pulling against an additional weight, like a dumbbell or barbell or resistance equipment in a gym.
The younger you start, the better
Anyone can benefit from weight training but it has been demonstrated that younger women who trained using weights have stronger bones later in life, this essentially means that you can bank bone when you’re younger to help prevent fractures later in life – a kind of insurance scheme for your body. A life time of active living not only protects your bones but also keeps your heart healthy and may protect you from other diseases such as cancer and type two diabetes.
But starting at any age will help
Everyone can benefit from increasing their activity levels. Studies have shown that people who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis can improve their bone health significantly through weight bearing exercising, the key is getting good advice on how to move well and how to self-manage.
Some more benefits
Strong muscles burn more calories, so if you need to control your bodyweight, lifting weights can help. It also helps with balance and can help you to regulate your sleep patterns.
‘I don’t want to look muscled’
It takes women a lot of heavy weight lifting, and sometimes the use of controlled substances like steroids and hormones, to achieve the physique of the heavily muscled power lifter. Women don’t normally have enough testosterone in their bodies to develop bulging muscles, but can, with regular, moderate training achieve lean, toned and strong muscles.
‘I hate gyms’
No problem. There are plenty of other exercises you can do that don’t involve a visit to the gym. Dancing, yoga, tennis, Pilates, walking, running, gardening and even housework count – all you are aiming to do is increase your heart rate and make yourself feel a little warmer. You can do it in several short blocks of 15 minute or more but aim for at least a total of 150 minutes per week over at least 5 days per week for the best results. If you’re unused to exercise, start slowly and build up to this target.
I don’t know where to start
This is where your friendly local osteopath can help. They can screen you for any health concerns that might affect your ability to exercise, help to resolve any injuries or pain that might be holding you back and advise you on what exercises might suit your goals best. Many can teach you how to exercise correctly, avoiding injuries and how to gradually build up as your ability and fitness levels improve.
If this article has been of interest and you would like to contact me to discuss this or any other condition please phone me on 07939129626.