Osteopathy trends: The three healthcare conditions to watch out for in 2022
This year (and the last) has seen us place a newfound spotlight on our wellbeing. There’s no doubt that looking after our mind, body and soul has always been important. But with the rise of coronavirus and its continued presence in the news, it’s kept the subject of health at the forefront too.
“The effect Covid has had on our lives is wide and varied,” Osteopath Denise Callaghan says. “But the virus has also had a knock-on effect on a number of health problems. From long covid to back pain, over the past 18 months I’ve seen a number of clients suffer from a range of similar health conditions.”
So with that in mind, Denise has shared some insight on what will be some of the biggest health conditions to watch out for in 2022, along with some tips on how to stay on top of them.
- The rise of Long Covid
According to a report, Long Covid – which was previously known as post-Covid-19 syndrome – has affected at least 2 million people in England. The condition is a type of Post Viral Syndrome and relates to a range of symptoms that last weeks or months after having the initial Covid-19 virus.
From extreme tiredness to shortness of breath, joint pain, changes to taste and smell, and problems with memory and concentration – these are some of the symptoms associated with long covid.
“We’re still learning about the exact impact this condition can have,” Denise says. “But Post Viral Syndromes can be debilitating no matter how healthy or fit you are. If you’ve already seen a GP and are still struggling with Long Covid symptoms, I would invite you to consider osteopathy.
“I’ve seen several patients for Long Covid and used acupuncture and osteopathy to ease their symptoms.”
- Bad backs are back
“There’s been a rise in the number of patients suffering from the associated problems working from home can have on our bodies,” Denise says. “And, with the recent ‘work from home if you can’ message issued by the government, I’m hoping we’ll all remember just how important it is to look after your posture and have a good workstation set-up.”
To avoid and limit the damage that poor ergonomics and posture can have on the human anatomy, here’s some of Denise’s tips:
- Invest in a good ergonomic desk chair
- Sit up right
- Take regular screen breaks
- Keep active
- Stay hydrated
By practicing all the above, you can keep your back in good, working order not only for the first few months of 2022, but all year round.
- Stress and tension headaches
As confirmed by a recent survey, 17.9 million working days are lost each year in the UK due to stress.
But stress doesn’t just stem from work-related problems. It can be caused by many different factors and can manifest in the body in a number of ways.
“This year and the last has been stressful for many people,” Denise says. “Some people have lost their jobs, their income and loved ones. It’s been an unprecedented and very stressful time. But when stress occurs over a long period of time, it can lead to various long-term problems.”
Some stress-related problems include:
- Increased blood pressure
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Sleep issues
“But one particular problem I’ve seen many clients suffer from is stress-induced headaches,” Denise says.
Denise uses the power of acupuncture to help alleviate stress.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that has been used for thousands of years to help maintain the body’s overall balance.
Clinical studies have shown that this form of alternative medicine may specifically benefit stress/anxiety disorders. That’s because acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules.
If you are suffering with any of these conditions, don’t suffer in pain. Drop Denise an email or give her a ring to see if she can help you relieve any of these problems.
