Q: ‘I’ve got a touch of winter blues’, coupled with an old sports knee injury that seems to resurface every year. It’s school holidays, we are in the mayhem of packing for skiing and little Jack has a nasty lingering cough, post cold and is complaining of sore ribs. How can osteopathy help with all of this? Thanks, Tanya T.
A: Many clients have a similar challenging line-up of sniffles, coughs, congested conditions, winter blues, and with chilly, damp air your joint and muscular injuries can flare. These are all very real conditions – brought about by a change in weather and yes I can offer you several self-care options and osteopathic treatments to lift your ‘winter’ ailments.
Kiddies – splutters, sniffles and snuffles
I’d like to help you with little Jack first, as he is most vulnerable heading into colder climes. Osteopathic treatment is very helpful in reducing inflammation and tightness of muscles between his ribs. This is achieved by gently articulating and improving the blood supply to areas that have become restricted with all the coughing in and around the areas of Jack’s diaphragm, ribs, spine and breastbone.
Moving up to his head, shoulders, neck and throat, we can greatly improve the function of his sinuses, calm the nervous systems and reactivate his lymphatic drainage – one of his primary immune defence systems. I stock various blends of therapeutic-grade oils for rubbing, infusing and ingesting, which do help to open and calm all the breathing pathways. This enables Jack to ‘sleep’, one of the greatest healers (for mother and child!) I also suggest to minimise dairy products.
NOTE – Do check with your GP that there are no ‘red flags’. An unresolved cough could for example be a sign of a ‘strep’ throat, that can lead to complications like rheumatic fever.
Winter blues
Let’s start with understanding what is happening to your body in winter. Deep in our brain, is the pineal gland that produces melatonin, which maintains our internal body clock, modulating both sleep patterns and circadian rhythm. An example of when it is out of balance, which we can all relate to, is jet-lag.
With cranial osteopathy it is possible to effect the pineal gland and the surrounding tissues. Our intention is to ‘kick-start’ the reproduction of melatonin.
Vitamin D – There is a clear relationship between lowered levels of vitamin D in the blood and depression. Get a blood test and a prescription if necessary. Good maintenance doses of vitamin D can be found in egg yolks, enriched milk and certain oily fish. According to recent research, you can place portobello mushrooms into direct sunlight and they synthesise vitamin D!
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – this seasonal depression can be lifted by the use of lightboxes, ask your GP.
Relax – remember for thousands of years winter meant we would hibernate to take stock, rest and restore. In our modern world it’s all go; work, school, and on and on. Stir in brain stimuli such as ‘blue’ light, streaming from our electronic devices and well, frankly, we would all benefit greatly from slowing down, practising mindfulness and taking a stroll in the park.
Your recurring injury and sports
Diagnosis and preparation is the key. Extreme endurance sports – skiing is definitely within that spectrum – require a build up of fitness. First, because this is a recurring injury, I would evaluate and treat you and depending on the results, I may send you onwards for an X-ray or ultrasound, this would give me a confirmed diagnosis to safely treat you with targeted warm-up exercises and stretches aimed specifically for skiing. Assess your total body alignment and adjust, also I suggest liniments and supportive bandages. Sometimes I refer you on for specialised physio Pilates, massage and yoga. We would be strengthening and mobilising surrounding group muscles to support your knee.
Self help tips for prevention and recuperation – I stock and show you how to use specifically formulated ointments for deep curative recovery. You can alternate warm wheat bags, cold packs and rub in therapeutic grade liniments that stimulate and improve blood supply and drainage to your joints and muscles. Get into ginger tea, hot broths, miso soup, hot toddies, sauna, spa and therapeutic massage.
Most importantly of all, have fun – I will see you on the slopes! (SARAH-JANE ATTIAS)
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. If you have a specific health problem you should seek advise from an appropriate registered health care provider. Living Osteopathy is a Primary Health Care Provider registered with ACC and the OCNZ. Living Osteopathy does not accept any liability other than to its clients.
No comments so far!