HEALTH

NEW BOOK FROM YEOVIL COACH HELPS PREVENT OSTEOARTHRITIS

A martial arts professional, Kire Antoski, was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis (OA) nine years ago and thought his career and mobility was over. The black belt Master was not used to defeat and began a process of extensive research and experimentation with different diets and exercise plans to see how he could put the disease into remission and also help others prevent it happening to them.

The result is a detailed book, Living Pain-free with Osteoarthritis, describing a specific exercise programme and antiinflammatory diet which Kire has followed with the result that he is now pain-free in his hips, allowing him to still teach and demonstrate martial arts and fitness at his Academy.

Antoski’s Sport and Exercise Medicine doctor, Dr Harriet F Collins says, “Kire has managed to keep the range of movement and symptoms in his hips well-controlled with his stretching routine, exercises and anti-inflammatory diet. His x-rays remain unchanged a further 18 months on, a testament to excellent self-management.”

Antoski recommends the full exercise programme should be done regularly two to three times per week with a minimum of 48 hours rest between sessions.

Founder of Yeovil-based Panthers Martial Arts Academy, Antoski, explains what drove him to keep persevering with diet and exercise until he found the perfect combination to stop the progress of osteoarthritis. “I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in 2011 and suffered for a few years with both pain and uncertainty – would I need a hip replacement operation? Would I need to change my lifestyle and give up my martial arts career?

“I spent much time exploring this disease and experimenting with different exercises and diet plans. Finally, I hit upon the

right combination and I now have the confidence and knowledge to write this book, in the hope of either helping people to prevent OA from developing or, for those who have already developed OA, to help them put it in remission and live a relatively pain-free, fit life.

“Like myself, there are many athletes who enjoy a life of fitness, having trained from a young age in the belief that keeping fit was enough to prevent most health problems, especially joint problems, from occurring. However, they are not necessarily preventing the joints from developing this painful condition.”

The exact cause of osteoarthritis isn’t known. Most commonly called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints. In the UK, more than nine million people have osteoarthritis and in England and Wales, there are approximately 160,000 hip and knee replacement procedures performed each year. (www.njrcentre.org.uk ) It is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff and it can affect any joint of the fingers, toes, knees, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders.

Antoski says he has written this book with the intention of helping fellow martial arts practitioners and fitness industry professionals like himself, as well as runners, walkers, body builders, dancers and gymnasts. The exercises will also benefit people who perform heavy lifting in their work environment and others that suffer from wear and tear of their hip joints, and of course other joints too.

The book is available to order from http://www. painfreewithoa.co.uk at £9.99 (plus p&p) and also from Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kire Antoski was born in 1963 in Prilep, Northern Macedonia and grew up in a working-class family of four with his parents and younger sister. Having suffered bullying from local boys, he took up martial arts at the age of 13 when he joined a local Karate club. June 1990 saw Kire come to Great Britain with his young family and in spring 1991, the screen-printing business in which he was employed moved to Sherborne. At this time he also worked in nightclub security in a Yeovil club. Kire never lost his love for martial arts and trained by himself until January 1994, when he decided to start and open his own martial arts club “Panthers” in the aerobic studio of the local gym. In 1998 he founded his full-time martial arts school, “Panthers Martial Arts Academy” which is based in Yeovil, Somerset. Kire has grown Panthers Martial Arts Academy to be one of the largest and most successful martial arts schools in Somerset with over 190 students, of which 15 hold World titles, nine hold European titles and 40 hold British titles. In year 2018 Kire was nominated for Somerset “coach of the year”.

We are OPEN Book your activity now www.oxleysc.com

RACHEL’S RAMBLES

By Rachel Mead There are walks for ‘a bit of fresh air’ and walks ‘to clear one’s head’, walks ‘around the block’ and then there is this particular walk, which is ‘good for the soul.’ Oakley and I are fortunate enough to be heading into a five-acre woodland with our rambling companion, retired farmer Bob.

The woodland is at its thickest, with the ash and sycamore trees in full leaf. The shady ground is a continuous carpet of ivy except for the pathways worn away by local dog walkers and it is at this time of day, for we are walking early evening, that the woodland feels luxuriously quiet. It’s been a hot week, the school holidays are in full throw and with lockdown rules relaxing, the roads and general life are beginning to feel busy again. But here, in the woodland, where the sun burns spotlights through the tree crowns and captures an aleatory yet poignant silhouette, we are alone and able to wander at our own pace. Ninety-four year old Bob pauses every now and then, taking stock of his surroundings. He’s known these woods for over 70 years and can now see strong timber standing where young, yet brawny saplings once stood. Many a time, with manual saw in hand, he tended to these trees, removing the suffocating ivy from the trunks. Encouraging life, not stifling it. He reflects on how his opinions and plans have altered with age, for there was once a time when he considered removing the trees in place of adding a more productive area of ground to his farm, “You improve with age - in regards to some things!” he laughs. And so it is now that he appreciates the natural habitats that have formed here, welcoming deer in particular, to this peaceful place. Perhaps it is a nod to his longevity but the further we walk and talk, Bob’s sunny disposition and positive outlook to each day comes through. “Look at these trees, some are upright, some are leaning - a bit like you and me!”

Bob tells me how some villagers, years ago, used to be seen in the wood ‘sticking’. “It was just so cold in those days, people were poor and so they’d come here, collecting kindling or ‘sticking’ to help keep their homes warm. Trees are life, they don’t just give oxygen.”

We meander steadily along the track and I am thankful for my evening’s ramble with Bob. Despite the recent months of shielded lockdown, he appreciates and takes happiness from what he has, not focusing on what may have been (temporarily) lost. “We are so fortunate to live in the countryside so be sure to enjoy it”, says Bob “Live and let live.”

To find some more inspiring walks in the countryside: www.visitsouthsomerset.com /menu/inspire-me/ brochures.aspx?parentNodeName=Brochures#

If you would like to recommend a ramble for Rachel then please email rachel@zestbureau.co.uk You can also see more photos from each walk on instagram: rachelsrambles