31 minute read
HEALTH FITNESS
– Everything you need to keep fit, healthy, and happy –
a oasis of calm amidst the stress & uncertainty of a pandemic,
THE LABORATORY SPA & HEALTH CLUB, M U S W E L L H I L L
With Winter upon us and the inevitably wetter weather, you may be feeling more reluctant about the prospect of your outdoor workout and contemplating a move inside! In these worrying and uncertain times choosing a place to workout is not easy, so it is vital to choose somewhere established and with a reputation built on trust and responsibility.
The Laboratory is celebrating its 25th Year this December and since its inception, has always been more than just a health club. It is a luxurious, discreet private members club offering unparalleled luxury alongside state-of-the-art facilities. Having built a reputation on impeccable cleanliness and five-star customer service they offer activities that not only improve your fitness but which also allow you to relax & unwind mentally and physically.
Whether you are working out in their fully equipped gym, swimming in the 25m UV treated swimming pool, soothing your muscles in the
sauna or steam room, attending a class in one of two dedicated studios or having a wonderful ESPA or Guinot treatment in the Day Spa, there really is something for everyone. There is even a Juice Bar serving delicious, home-made food and…really great coffee!
At this time when it is more important than ever to be fit and healthy, the Laboratory are taking their responsibility to their members very seriously and following the latest Government guidelines to the letter.
On arrival, all members undergo a temperature check before entering, there are hand sanitiser stations at regular intervals, antiviral/antibacterial cleansing products placed near all equipment so members can sanitise equipment before and after use, class sizes have been reduced so to allow for carefully marked out individual allocated workout spaces and use of the swimming pool is bookable in advance, so numbers can be kept to a safe minimum. The Laboratory has also hired three dedicated Covid-19 cleaners so there is someone continuously walking around the club cleaning touch points, communal areas and studios.
Every possible precaution is being taken to ensure that members feel confident and secure when they are at the club. So if you are considering joining a health club that goes above and beyond for their members whilst offering a luxurious sanctuary, the Laboratory should be at the top of your list.
The Laboratory Spa & Health Club, The Avenue Muswell Hill N10 2QE labspa.co.uk; 020 8482 3000
Consultant Plastic Sur geon
Professional | Approachable | Bespoke
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris is taking all possible precautions to protect his patients. He is offering virtual consultations for nonurgent cases and ‘see and treat’ appointments to reduce any exposure.
Patient care is the first and foremost priority of Chris and his team. A complete package of care is built on an individual’s unique set of needs and circumstances.
With clinics in Chelsea, Wimbledon and Marylebone, the team’s overarching philosophies encompass:
• a safe and evidence based approach to the medicine and surgery provided • holistic and honest consultations to enable patients with a better quality of life, long after they have been discharged • providing the right infrastructure and personnel to take care of a patient and fully support them for the duration of their journey
All this is done with discretion in mind.
Relieve your joint pain with fast and effective keyhole surgery at award-winning Parkside Private Hospital
Arthroscopy, or ‘keyhole’ surgery, is a well-established procedure and the preferred treatment for a variety of knee, shoulder and other orthopaedic conditions. The surgery has restored the movement and confidence of thousands of patients, allowing them to get back to their daily activities faster, and with greater ease. But what does the keyhole surgery entail, and who might benefit from the procedure? Mr Rhidian Thomas, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Parkside Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Centre, explains:
What is keyhole surgery?
An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure which usually sees patients return home the same day of the operation. The knee joint is the mostcommonly operated joint using this technique, followed by shoulder, ankle and hip. Smaller joints such as elbow and wrist are also increasingly being operated on in this way.
What type of injury can be treated?
Many knee injuries treated with keyhole surgery happen as a result of sports injuries, but not all. The most common injury treated by arthroscopy is the meniscus – the ‘shock absorber’ (which helps spread the load when an impact or force goes through the knee). In other joints, arthroscopy can also be used to rotator cuff injuries, articular cartilage problems, repair torn ligaments, and remove loose bodies.
What are the benefits?
There are a number of advantages of keyhole surgery. These include:
Minimally-invasive procedure
Precision surgery – only damaged areas operated on, compared to a larger part using the older open surgical technique. This leads to less risk of arthritis in the future • Little scarring, stiffness or pain • Lower risk of complications • Minimal waiting times at Parkside.
Is a full recovery guaranteed?
Recovery post-surgery will depend on your general health, the joint involved and the specific procedure you had. In the lower limb, crutches may be used to assist walking for a few days or weeks. Your rehabilitation specialist will guide you through the recovery process and advise you on what to expect.
About Rhidian Thomas
Mr Thomas is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and one of the match-day Orthopaedic Surgeons for the English Rugby Union at Twickenham. He has clinics at Parkside on weekdays, except Tuesdays.
To book an appointment email opdappointments@parkside-hospital. co.uk or call 020 3925 1080.
‘Movember’: What every man needs to know about prostate cancer
Movember is the annual campaign that seeks to raise awareness of men’s health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s suicide. To mark the campaign, we talk to Chris Anderson, a leading urology expert, about prostate cancer.
THERE AREN’T ALWAYS NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in the prostate gland grow out of control. While early stage prostate cancer doesn’t usually produce noticeable symptoms, some men may experience urinary problems, such as trouble initiating urinating, decreased urinary flow, infection, and blood in the urine or semen.
BE AWARE OF THE SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS The main risk factors are: • age: it mainly affects men over 50 • family history: approximately 15% of men with prostate cancer have a father or brother with prostate cancer • being black: Black men are nearly twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as white men for unknown reasons.
Multiple tests diagnose prostate cancer
It is good practise for men over 50 to undergo an annual digital rectal examination to assess the texture and size of the prostate, and to have a PSA (prostate) blood test.
These findings might be followed by MRI scanning and prostate biopsy. Together these investigations improve the chance of identifying prostate cancer at an early stage.
VARIOUS TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE There are various treatment options depending on how fast the cancer is growing and one’s age and life expectancy.
Treatments for localised cancer include robotassisted prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate), external beam radiation therapy (high-powered X-rays kill the cancer cells), and brachytherapy (tiny radioactive seeds put into the prostate to stop cancer growing). Cryotherapy (destroys cells by freezing tissue), and High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound (HIFU) might also be considered.
When Prostate cancer has spread (metastatic), hormone therapy (to stop the body producing testosterone which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells) and chemotherapy (which uses chemicals to destroy growing cells) are effective and can sustain remission for a number of years.
ABOUT MR ANDERSON
Chris Anderson is a consultant urological surgeon at Parkside Private Hospital, working closely with colleagues at the Cancer Centre London. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of robotic surgery and was a part of the team that in 2005 performed the first ground-breaking prostatectomy cases – now standard prostate removal surgery.
To book an appointment email opdappointments@ parkside-hospital.co.uk or call 020 3432 6542 020 3883 6112
Skincare during Covid-19: essential tips to prevent dry and flaking skin
About Thivi Maruthappu
Dr Thivi Maruthappu is a Consultant Dermatologist who has clinics at Highgate Private Hospital on Wednesdays.
To book an appointment email enquiries@highgatehospital.co.uk or call 020 8108 7031.
Washing hands and wearing face-masks are key steps to preventing COVID-19 – but they can also dry out your skin and cause various skin rashes. With winter fast approaching, it’s important to consider your skincare routine to ensure your skin is protected during the colder months, when skin can get dry and itchy. Dr Thivi Maruthappu Consultant Dermatologist at Highgate Private Hospital, explains: Moisturising is key • When cleansing, think about switching to a moisturising or oil-based cleanser, as these successfully remove dirt, make-up and pollution without drying your skin.
Knowing what soap goes on your skin is important • Avoid using soaps which strip the natural oils – these oils form part of our skin ‘barrier’ and work to prevent further moisture loss. As a rule of thumb, it is usually best to ditch the traditional bar soap, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin.
A special effort is required during these unprecedented times • I’m seeing more patients with dry, cracked hands from handwashing and alcohol gel in light of Covid-19. Regular application of rich moisturisers containing barrier-boosting niacinamide and shea butter can help to leave skin smooth and supple.
Locking in moisture will be even more effective • You might benefit from a richer moisturiser when it’s particularly cold. Look for a combination of effective moisturising ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, glycerin and dimethicone which attract and lock-in moisture without blocking pores, so they are perfect for use under masks and avoiding “Maskne”.
Frequent application goes a long way • Apply your creams after washing and reapply frequently throughout the day. Some of my patients benefit from slathering on a thick layer of moisturiser under cotton gloves at night, as this helps creams penetrate deeper.
See a specialist • Inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea can flare up with seasonal changes. Seeing a consultant dermatologist can help find the solution and discover what works best for you. At Highgate Hospital our team is highly experienced and we provide personalised advice tailored to the needs and lifestyles of our patients.
What Is Kundalini Yoga?
a yoga teacher breaks down how the practice can help calm your mind.
Need to mix up your at-home workouts? Alicia Keys is just one celebrity who spends time doing Kundalini yoga.
In a new cover story for InStyle, the singer spoke about her emotional awakening during a trip to Egypt, while “more spiritual epiphanies came later at a meditation and yoga retreat in LA,” explains the interviewer, “where she learned the Kundalini technique that she still practices daily.”
Keys isn’t the only famous practitioner of Kundalini - Russell Brand is a huge fan of the technique and has posted plenty of his practices on YouTube.
So what exactly is the Kundalini technique, and how could it benefit your body and mind?
If you’ve done a regular, non-Kundalini yoga class before, you’ll be familiar with how amazing it can feel when the practice is over and you arise from savasana, the final resting pose. It’s a moment to feel peace and calmness - and this is what yoga teacher Neeta Naidoo (instagram. com/neetaniyamayoga) says you can get throughout a Kundalini practice.
Naidoo teaches all types of yoga, including the popular hatha style, but is also trained in Kundalini and describes it as having “very instant benefits” and “healing properties”.
“When you practice Kundalini, the awareness and the feeling of being balanced and relaxed is reached in a shorter time,” she explains. “You come out feeling refreshed, energised, [with] a sense of calm and peace.”
So how do you achieve this almost instantaneous calm that so many of us search for? “With Kundalini, the postures are repetitive,” Naidoo explains. “It’s constantly moving, like an automatic rhythm of movement; then breathing; then chanting with mantras.” Take the yoga movement cat-cow: in Kundalini, Naidoo says, you could use this exercise as a warm-up and repeat it 21 or 56 times: “You just keep going, and then you add the breath.”
As with all types of yoga, breath is incredibly important in Kundalini - but it’s even more powerful than you might be used to in a hatha or vinyasa class. “Kundalini yoga has something called ‘breath of fire’,” says Naidoo, which is a rapid and repetitive exhale through the nostrils - newbies might find it makes them dizzy, but it’s used to help centre your practice.
Within Kundalini, breath is used alongside physical postures to help you “withdraw from your senses”, notes Naidoo. “When you withdraw from your senses, you come to a point of staying focused” - and this is where the meditative element of Kundalini comes in, which is thought to help reduce stress and calm your mind. It also offers an opportunity to let go of thoughts and feelings that aren’t serving you, to become more “emotionally balanced”.
Naidoo says: “If you’re balanced emotionally, you have stillness and calm, you can react better in life, you can deal with situations in life, you can lead a more balanced life - it goes on and on.”
While there are plenty of physical benefits to Kundalini too - it’s great for your spine if you’ve been slouched over a desk all day for instance - it’s particularly beneficial for what it can do for your mind. Naidoo notes the “energising of the body and the relaxation of the mind that takes place,” as well as “a shift in our consciousness that we don’t get in anything else we do”.
The Harley Street ENT Clinic
Our experienced ENT specialists diagnose and treat a variety of ear, nose and throat problems as well as balance and sleep disorders.
The Harley Street ENT Clinic is the most prominent specialists in London with five of the UK’s top ear, nose and throat surgeons providing a touch of a family run business.
• State of the art equipment and testing facilities • Highly qualified audiologists and scientists • Same day appointments for emergencies * Latest CQC inspection overall rating was GOOD • Includes The Harley Hearing Centre led by exceptional audio-vestibular scientists performing a range of comprehensive hearing tests • In-house Pharmacy
Whether you need an ear specialist to help with your child’s recurring infections or a nose specialist who can tackle your snoring, our clinic can help. From your initial consultation to your final treatment, our ENT surgeons will be there to provide advice, answer your questions, and help you to feel better.
King Edward VII’s Hospital is an independent private hospital with a proud history of Royal Patronage and a reputation built on quality of care.
The Hospital provides an extensive range of treatments that can be self-funded, both surgical and medical, ranging from life-improving hip replacement surgery to life-preserving prostate cancer treatment. Self-paying patients are able to choose their specialist and avoid waiting lists, getting back to enjoying everyday life with as little disruption as possible.
Investment in the latest cutting-edge technology not only continues the Hospital’s tradition of attracting the best specialists, it also helps deliver the highest standards of diagnosis, treatment and aftercare to its patients.
The outstanding quality of nursing care has been the Hospital’s trademark for over 120 years and it’s what patients talk about long after they have gone home. What truly sets the Hospital apart is that it provides medical care with the human touch, where its focus never waivers from its patient.
What’s more, the Hospital is also a registered charity. Its charitable work includes providing life-changing medical treatment to veterans of the Armed Forces through its Centre For Veterans’ Health. Any surplus the hospital makes is invested back into facilities, equipment and the provision of subsidised treatment to veterans.
All this means that King Edward VII’s is the hospital of choice for self-paying patients who expect more. To enquire about paying for treatment, contact the dedicated patient services team at King Edward VII’s Hospital, 5-10 Beaumont Street, Marylebone, London W1G 6AA.
kingedwardvii.co.uk 020 7467 4344.
Why choosing self-pay private healthcare is a good option for surgery – a patient’s story
Business owner Oliver is thankful he chose to have surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital after suffering serious leg fractures playing football despite not having a private healthcare policy.
The 41-year-old, who was swiftly and successfully treated at the hospital’s Orthopaedic Unit, became part of the growing trend of patients choosing to self-fund private medical care.
The private self-pay healthcare sector has doubled in the last five years and Oliver’s case is a prime example of its appeal as he was able to access care quickly so that he could return to running his busy heating and plumbing business.
He was originally taken to an NHS hospital after the injury but faced a week-long wait for surgery.
“Any delay in getting back up on my feet was going to be bad for business. I own my own plumbing and heating business and being mobile is vitally important.
“I don’t have private healthcare insurance but decided to pay directly for my treatment and the entire process was incredibly reassuring with all the information I needed conveyed efficiently and clearly.”
With examinations, tests and X-rays handled during an afternoon admission, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr James Youngman was able to operate at 9pm the same evening, using a combination of plates and screws to repair Oliver’s complex fractures.
He was soon back home and starting a structured rehabilitation programme that allowed a swift return to work.
“It was a real team effort,” says Mr Youngman, who has been working with the hospital for 14 years. “It requires a huge amount of dedication and coordination to ensure that happens but this is the way it always is St John & St Elizabeth Hospital..
Oliver adds: “I felt constantly looked after. The experience was very professional and caring.”
Self-pay options are available at our Orthopaedic Unit, which provides a complete clinical service for the assessment, treatment and management of the entire spectrum of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal problems, including Rheumatology and Sports Medicine. THE DETAILS
To book an appointment or a consultation for any orthopaedic condition call 0207 806 4060 or visit hje.org.uk
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, 60 Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood, NW8 9NH
INTRODUCING BELLECELL
In the heart of St James’, tucked moments from The Ritz Hotel is a different form of luxury; The state-of-the-art, futuristic, regenerative wellness clinic BelleCell, London’s first biohacking club.
The BelleCell concept is based upon scientific principles around health optimisation where bespoke wellbeing and beauty solutions are delivered to clients. The goal is to remain healthier for longer, reach peak performance, fine-tune the body and enhance beauty.
Descending the spiral staircase to, the rumoured, Churchill’s wine cellar, now in strict contrast; a ultra-modern state-of-the-art facility houses various face, body and detox technologies, as well as their weight loss lab, fusion IV and oxygen therapy lounges.
The cutting edge metabolic and molecular (including genetic) testing forms the basis for all bespoke treatments and programmes. Clients come to BelleCell to receive results.
All bodies are uniquely different. Taking care of those individual needs means having a vast amount of data to fully understand what will enhance our wellness and what is mere activity without progress. Enhancing one’s wellness can be looked at from a few different perspectives: one way of looking at it is how we look, another way of looking at is how we feel, the third way of looking
at it is the internal workings and the regenerative power of the body. BelleCell places importance on all three of these different approaches, whilst making sure that the entire holistic approach is professional considered.
Technology and science act hand in hand to allow BelleCell a much more advanced level of control over our bodies and our health.
There are 3 steps to living longer, stronger, and better.
1. Know your body: Accurate data collection 2. Professional analysis of data for correct interpretation 3. Execution of an effective strategy for optimised outcomes
BelleCell was created in order to share knowledge and insights because of their effectiveness to change lives. Disease prevention, early detection, lifespan extension, healthspan extension, the ability to better control fatigue, burnout, enhance our immune systems. Bioinformation and biohacks, which, in reality are just science that is newly discovered or better tweaked, are dramatically changing the lives of those who realise the power of this type of intervention.
What we are talking about is biological course redirection. Humans are meant to decay; the human body has an expiry date. It has only been in the recent years that we have known how to tweak the code and live younger for longer.
BelleCell’s one size does not fit all approach is also applied to aesthetics and beauty.
Their pioneering anti-aging programmes are based on your individual profile, marrying a combination of regenerative, aesthetic and beauty treatments to achieve optimal skin health.
For more information on memberships, programmes and treatments please visit BelleCell.com.
PROSTATE CANCER: What are the symptoms and where is the best place to get checked out?
THE DETAILS
form of cancer in men in the UK and about one in eight men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. It mainly affects men over the age of 55.
The prostate is an organ at the base of the bladder that is important in the production of sperm. It gets larger as men get older but the vast majority of patients show no symptoms until it has grown large enough to put pressure on the uretha.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include needing to go to the toilet more frequently or urgently, having difficulty urinating, or having a poor urine stream.
Blood and urine tests can help determine if a patient is likely to have prostate cancer and biopsies are used to identify the exact status of the cancer and to inform treatment decisions. Tests are also done to check if there are other cancers in the body which can involve a bone scan.
The good news is that prostate cancer curable if caught early enough.
Some patients will only need active surveillance with check-ups and scans every two years or they may be offered HIFU – high intensity focused ultrasound – which uses ultrasound to eradicate the cancer. Other patients may need to have the prostate removed, an operation performed using the precision-guided Da Vinci robotic assisted surgery system.
The Urology Unit that is based out of St John and Elizabeth Hospital in St John’s Wood North London, is staffed by urologists who are all leading specialists in their field and offers the highest standards of care to their patients. They use hightech diagnostic equipment and are committed to using the latest non-invasive techniques to reduce side effects for patients.
Appointments are offered within 24 hours, with a 24-hour on call emergency service and clinics every week day at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital . The Hospital has luxurious surroundings, a unique community feel and is focused on providing the best in patient care, with 100% of patients visiting the Hospital saying they were satisfied with the care they received in a recent survey. To book an appointment or a consultation for any urological condition call 0207 806 4060 or visit hje.org.uk
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital 60 Grove End Road, St. John’s Wood,
Prostate cancer is the most common
NW8 9NH
THE KENSINGTON WING
The Kensington Wing is the dedicated sessions are always a relaxed and special time to private maternity unit at Chelsea and talk and discover more without any obligation. Westminster Hospital, providing For those women who are appropriate for women with around-the-clock clinical midwife-led care, the team provide full support care, comfortable en-suite private rooms and throughout your pregnancy and the midwifery hospitality services. team are available 24 hours seven days a week for
Being located in the heart of Chelsea and advice or concerns throughout your pregnancy, Westminster Hospital - one of the UK’s safest birth and postnatal stay. hospitals - the safety and wellbeing of mother and The consultant-led care package allows you baby are reassuringly supported at all times. The the choice of one of our experienced consultant Kensington Wing is immediately located next to obstetricians to personally guide you through your the hospital’s outstanding and newly expanded pregnancy and birth. Your consultant provides Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a continuity and individualised expertise throughout consultant anaesthetist remains on site at all times, your journey. They build a relationship with you
“To ensure the safety 24/7, dedicated to the needs of women on the and your partner through the antenatal period to of women and their birth partners, The Kensington Wing. In these uncertain times, expectant parents can have additional anxieties or concerns about give you confidence to birth safely with them in line with your birth preferences. They remain to support you through the postnatal period including
Kensington Wing have childbirth or going into a hospital. To ensure the your 6 week postnatal check. All consultants important infection safety of women and their birth partners, The are available to meet you and your birth partner control procedures Kensington Wing have important infection control without any obligation. for staff and visitors to procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to, but The Kensington Wing enquiry team are always adhere to, but remain welcoming to your remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. Your individual room and en-suite facilities happy to support with these arrangements and answer any questions. If you would like to talk to one of the team chosen birth partner are a haven in these times and the catering and email kensington@chelwest.nhs.uk or visit our for all stages of your hospitality team ensures your stay is relaxing as website thekensingtonwing.co.uk pregnancy, birth and well as safe. postnatal stay” On the Kensington Wing the consultant obstetricians, midwives, nurses and maternity support workers provide care as a team. And are delighted to offer both consultant-led and midwife-led maternity packages. The Kensington Wing’s highly experienced team of midwives welcome enquiries from prospective women and the opportunity to discuss midwifeled care in more detail. These ‘meet the midwife’
The Kensington Wing o ers you and your birth partner a safe, warm and welcoming private maternity experience in the heart of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Around the clock clinical care and hospitality services complement the expertise and peace-of-mind a orded by one of London’s leading teaching hospitals.
The Kensington Wing provides: • Midwife and consultant led packages of care • Private consultation rooms for antenatal appointments • 24/7 onsite consultant anaesthetist support • Immediate proximity to the hospital’ s neonatal intensive care facilities • Postnatal en-suite private rooms for you and your partner • Luxury postnatal suite,
The Kensington Suite • Bespoke antenatal classes • Lactation consultant • Water birth workshops • Complimentary therapy • Postnatal support in your home by our dedicated team of midwives • Full range of catering services including afternoon tea, fine wine and champagne
For more information about the packages and services that are available please contact the team on 02039 938 683 or email kensington@chelwest.nhs.uk.
All private care income is reinvested into our NHS services. The Kensington Wing is part of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. © 2020 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. thekensingtonwing.co.uk SAFETY COMFORT PRIVACY
Metabolic Health and a Healthier You
Individuals with obesity are more at risk for testing positive for Covid-19 (>46%), as well as 113% more likely to be hospitalised, mortality is also 48% higher for those who are overweight / obese (Popkin et al.,2020).
Medical research tells us that obesity associated inflammation plays a large part in Covid progression. We at RRMG use a personalised approach to target and prevent obesity related Covid risk.
Immune dysfunction, weight gain and obesity are both causes and consequences of metabolic dysfunction - how we transport, use and store energy / nutrients in the body. Whilst losing weight can sometimes feel like a long road, reversing metabolic dysfunction and reducing inflammation can happen fairly quickly if guided correctly – meaning you can protect yourself quickly as you lose weight over time.
The multi-system nature of regaining metabolic health is perfect for a holistic functional medicine approach where we consider your individual circumstances, nutritional needs and lifestyle when tailoring a bespoke program.
It has never been more important to take responsibility of your own health as we are seeing the poor outcomes for those with covid-19 and co-morbidities.
Hippocrates couldn’t have been more right than when he said, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.
At RRMG we can empower you to take control by identifying key bio and nutritional markers that for your overall metabolic health and to help reduce the potential for associated Covid health problems. At the same time, we can set you on the path to a healthier you by making targeted improvements in your nutritional and overall respiratory and metabolic health.
Dr Richard Mackenzie is internationally recognised for his research into human metabolism, obesity, type 2 diabetes and elite athletic performance.
Oana Ancu has over 4 years of experience working with a range of individuals in her capacity as a human performance and health physiologist.
Henrietta Paxton, a former international athlete for both Scotland and Great Britain, she holds an MSc in Personalised Nutrition, a Nutritional Therapy Practice Diploma, a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and a certificate in Integrated Sports Nutrition.
THE DETAILS
Website: rrmg.com/metabolic-health Email: help@rrmg.com Telephone: 0207 112 5400 Clinic: 10-11 Bulstrode Place, Marylebone, London W1U 2HX
COVID-19 LOCKDOWN How to Exercise and Avoid the Perils of Injury
HOW TO AVOID INJURY With the recent introduction of a second national lockdown and inevitable closure of recreational facilities, the need to remain fit and healthy this Winter has become a priority.
While exercise is important to our physical and mental health, before trying out a new exercise regime gather as much information and guidance on the exercise and technique before performing the workout to reduce the risk of injury. The last lockdown saw a large number of sports and exercise injuries with pulled muscles and knee injuries accounting for approximately a third and ankle injuries making up a quarter. Although walking was the most popular exercise, according to data released by BUPA online cases accounted for just under a third of all exercises with running and cycling making up for 13% and 10% respectively. Mr Amer Khan, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, saw a large number of meniscus injuries of the knee in runners and clavicle (collarbone) fractures in cyclists due to falls all requiring treatment.
TOP TIPS Always ensure a proper warm up of all muscle groups before starting the exercise. This may be simply involve running on the spot or using low resistance therabands. If exercising indoors ensure the room is warm. If outdoors dress appropriately to keep the muscles warm. Remember its easier to strip off layers as muscles heat up. Incorporate 15 minutes for stretching and cooling down muscles after a workout.
Adequate Rest Periods. If you are a relative beginner to exercising start with low intensity exercises and build up slowly onto higher intensity types. These should be of short duration with
adequate intervening rest periods and “rest days”. Have a training timetable and try to stick to it. Overexercising by trying to fit in too much in a short period is one of the commonest causes of injury. Vary the exercise regime by combining resistance weight training with running or cycling or a dance class with boxing.
Nutrition, hydration and sleep. Poor nutrition will leave you feeling exhausted and unable to complete your exercise, adequate fluid intake is essential in helping prevent muscle cramps and sleep is necessary for the body to repair.
WHAT IF I INJURE MYSELF DURING AN ExERCISE? Initially rest, ice or cold compress such as a pack of peas and elevation of the affected body part above the level of the heart will help reduce the swelling. If there is swelling of the joint, persisting pain or a feeling of instability then an urgent referral to an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in sports injuries is recommended.
sportsmedlondon.com
