When you are planning your Christmas Shopping, you may not immediately think of visiting a physiotherapy clinic to buy your gifts. But think again! We have a present that your loved ones would really like to receive – the gift of comfort!

Our microwavable Hot-Paks make great gifts. They can be heated and then placed on areas of the body where there are aches and pains, such as the neck, back or stomach. They can also be cooled to provide relief from pain caused by strains and sprains. They cost £10 each and come in a range of colours. The packs are lavender-scented, which really helps with relaxation.

As well as the Hot-Paks, we also sell Gift Vouchers in a range of values, for use against the price of our treatments. So, if you know someone who would love a massage, you can buy a voucher for 30 minutes (£24), 45 minutes (£34) or a full hour (£45) and give the gift of relaxation, relief from aching muscles and tension-reduction. If one of your loved ones has been talking about making a visit to see a Physiotherapist or would like to give Acupuncture a try – we have vouchers for that too.

For those who would like to get in shape in the New Year, we have gift vouchers that can be used for Personal Training Sessions. Vouchers cover either 30 minutes (£24), 45 minutes (£34) or a full hour (£45) of Personal Training – or you can buy a voucher for a block of 6 one-hour sessions for £210.

Pop in to the clinic or give us a call on (0117) 330 6820 to find out more.

Teachers! We know how hard you work. And we know how important it is to invest in your wellbeing – to help you meet the challenges of the new academic year.

So, for all teachers, lecturers and education professionals, we are offering £10 off your first massage or acupuncture appointment during September and October. This offer is open to all staff involved in delivering and supporting education, so whether you work in a nursery, a school, a college or a university – you are welcome to come and see how we can help you. Acupuncture and Massage are great ways to help your body to stay well while you deal with the demands of your busy schedule.

Acupuncture is one of the longest established forms of healthcare in the world. Acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined for thousands of years. The focus is on you as an individual, not your illness, and all symptoms are seen in relation to each other. Treatment involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to affect the flow of your body’s qi, or vital energy. Our Acupuncturist,  Lynne Pretty uses acupuncture to help you to bring balance and harmony back into your life. She can also treat specific issues such as pain, stress and other forms of discomfort that interfere with your ability to do your job as you would like. Find out more at: www.lynneprettyacupuncture.co.uk and www.acupuncture.org.uk. During September and October you can book an Initial Appointment with Lynne for the price of £52 (instead of the usual £62).

One of the immediate benefits of Massage Therapy is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins – the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing.  If you have ever had a massage, you will know that it can really help you to switch off and relax – something that can be difficult to do when we are living such hectic lives. Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, can also be reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system, so massage can be a good way to help you to avoid succumbing to the bugs and illnesses that can be passed around in a busy educational establishment.

Other benefits of massage can include:

• reduced muscle tension
• increased joint mobility and flexibility
• improved recovery of soft tissue injuries
• reduced anxiety and depression

During September and October, you can book a massage appointment with one of our therapists – Kirstie Guy or Racheal Duncan and take £10 off the usual price. We offer appointments of 30 minutes (usual price £24 – offer price £14), 45 minutes (usual price £34 – offer price £24) and 1 hour (usual price £45 – offer price £35) in duration.

Call us now on 0117 330 6820 to book your appointment or book online at www.keithjamesphysiotherapy.co.uk

When the sun is shining, we like to get outside and be a bit more active. And while this is a good thing in many ways, we can run the risk of exerting ourselves more than we have during the previous few months. However, there are a few things you can do to get the most out of your summer and make sure that you can keep moving and pain-free.

The first thing to remember is to pace yourself – don’t try to cram all of your activity into one weekend. Whether it is gardening, walking, swimming, playing tennis or cricket, or going for a bike ride, start slow and steady and then build up your activity level over time. And remember to warm up before you really get going.

Listed below are some of the common problems experienced during the summer months – and some tips for dealing with them. If you are experiencing problems that are impacting on your summer activities, give us a call on (0117) 330 6820 and one of our therapists will have you back in shape and ready to enjoy the sunshine.

Plantar Fasciitis  Plantar fasciitis is where you have pain on the bottom of your foot, around your heel and arch. Activities such as walking and running can contribute to this condition. However, practising good running technique and doing foot exercises can help to prevent this painful condition.

Aching Feet It’s great to put your boots and shoes away and step into some light and airy sandals, but a sudden change in foot biomechanics can cause problems for your feet, ankles, knees, hips – and even your lower back. Choosing summer footwear with a bit of support can minimise the risk of developing these problems.

Shoulder Problems Some summer sports and activities, such as swimming, tennis and volleyball rely on the strength of the shoulder and the movements involved can be highly repetitive. To avoid problems such as Shoulder Bursitis, keep your activity sessions to a manageable length and vary your technique if your shoulder begins to hurt. For example, change from overhead serving to forehand or backhand shots in tennis.

Knee Pain Physiotherapists often notice an increase in knee pain in the summer, as people come out of winter hibernation and increase their activity. If there is weakness in the quads or glutes, this increased activity can put too much pressure on the knees. Think about how your knees are being impacted by your summer activities and try to build up the muscles that support them to reduce strain.

Only half of UK adults do the recommended minimum amount of exercise each week (150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise) – but do you know that physiotherapists are experts in designing, promoting and delivering physical activity interventions. We have have particular expertise in supporting people with long-term conditions and those recovering from illness and injury. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has some great resources to help get you get started with activities like swimming, cycling, running and dance.

We will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. We are open for our normal hours on all other days over the Easter period. We hope that you all have a lovely Easter Break!

Many of you will know Racheal Duncan, one of our Massage Therapists at the clinic. She is currently raising money for local charity Bristol After Stroke. Bristol After Stroke is an independent local charity helping people rebuild their lives after stroke. Their services offer a unique combination of practical, social, emotional and psychological support to stroke affected people and their carers and loved ones.

Racheal is really throwing herself into this fundraising challenge – she is going to complete not just one, but two events to help the charity. In her own words, Racheal says:

This is the 1st time I have had a bash at fundraising for charity and have decided to do it with my usual crazy ‘all or nothing’ attitude and am therefore competing in my 1st ever triathlon followed by the Bristol 10K just 1 week later!!

If I survive the 1st event, it will be an achievement, if I survive the 2nd, it will be a miracle!!

I have had the opportunity to volunteer with Bristol After Stroke as a student physiotherapist so have experienced first hand the huge difference that they make to peoples lives.

Please dig deep for this once in a lifetime event xxx

We are so proud of Racheal and her fundraising activities and we are really pleased to be able to support her in her endeavours. If you would like to help Racheal to raise funds for Bristol After Stroke, you can visit her Just Giving page or pop into the clinic, where we have a collection box on Reception.

The sun is out and the garden is coming back to life! It’s tempting to get out there and really get stuck in to clearing and planting. But it’s important to take things slowly and remember to look after your back. Back problems affect people of all ages and can make gardening a painful experience. By following some simple rules you can make gardening easier on your back and prevent any future problems.

Warm up before starting to garden by gently stretching your muscles. If it’s cold, wait until later in the day when it’s warmer.  Avoid repetitive garden work. Alter your position regularly as you work, take regular breaks and drink plenty of liquid. Don’t lift heavy objects. If you must lift something, remember to bend your knees and keep your back straight. Use a wheelbarrow to move objects where possible. Wear belts that support your back if necessary.

And if you do find that your back is causing you problems, why not book in to see one of our Physiotherapists who can treat your aches and pains and give advice on how to prevent further injury. You could also have a massage to loosen up stiff muscles. Call us on (0117) 330 6820 to make an appointment or book online at www.keithjamesphysiotherapy.co.uk.

Thinking about what to buy as a Mother’s Day gift this year? Sometimes flowers and chocolates are not quite what you are looking for. So, what else could you buy for your hard-working Mum? At Keith James Physiotherapy we have Vouchers for Massage Therapy Treatment or Personal Training. Voucher cost £24, £35 or £45 and will allow your Mum to have either 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour of either massage or personal training. Drop in to the clinic or contact us on (0117) 330 6820 or email us at [email protected] to find out more.

With a number of big running events coming up, we thought that it would be good to let you know that the team at Keith James Physiotherapy is here to help you prepare (and recover) from whichever running event you are taking part in. Whether it’s a weekly Park Run – or the full 26.2 miles of the London Marathon – we can help you to get fit for the challenge.

Common complaints associated with long distance running are Runner’s Knee, Shin Splints, Stress Fractures, Achilles Tendinitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Muscle Injuries, Ankle Sprains and Blisters, Corns and Bunions. Our team includes Physiotherapists, Sports Massage Therapists, a Personal Trainer and a Podiatrist/Chiropodist – who are all here to treat these complaints and give advice on how to avoid them in future.

And when you have finished your run, book yourself in to see us about any aches and strains you picked up along the way. We are offering £10 off the price of your first treatment when you show us your race number or finishers’ medal.

To book, call (0117) 330 6820 or book online at www.keithjamesphysiotherapy.co.uk