Hot and cold gels can feel helpful, but they don’t change deep tissue temperature. This guide explains when to use cold, when heat is appropriate, and why heat often makes disc-related pain worse. Clear, practical advice to help you manage inflammation, stiffness and flare-ups safely at home.

Could a molecule best known for plumping skin actually ease arthritic joints?
Hyaluronic acid is quietly emerging as a promising support for people with stiff, achy knees and early osteoarthritis. As the body’s own natural joint lubricant, HA helps keep movement smooth — yet our levels drop sharply with age. Recent research suggests that topping it up orally may reduce stiffness, ease those “first few steps” pains and make everyday movement feel kinder. It’s not a miracle cure, but for many it could be the missing link between creaky joints and more comfortable, confident mobility.

Many people in their 70s and 80s feel uneasy about taking long-term statins — especially if they’ve always been fit, active and largely medication-free. The good news is that the right foods can lower LDL cholesterol by 20–35%, often enough for your GP to safely review your prescription.

Struggling to sleep? Your habits, environment, and even what you eat can all affect the quality of your rest. In this blog, Osteopath Georgina Joss shares simple, evidence-based tips to improve your sleep hygiene — from creating a calm sleep space to managing caffeine and screen time. Discover how good sleep supports not just your energy and mood, but also your gut health, hormones, and even your skin.

A patient in for back pain revealed she’s woken every night since her breast cancer treatment 15 years ago — by 3–4 AM, she’s up, restless, and pacing the house.

Turns out, over 50% of long-term breast cancer survivors still struggle with insomnia, especially early-morning awakening. Chemo and hormone therapies can disrupt the HPA axis, spiking cortisol at 3 AM, while brain scans show lingering hyperarousal in sleep-regulating areas.

The gut microbiome plays a big role too. A 2024 study found survivors with broken sleep had lower butyrate-producing bacteria and higher inflammation — both linked to poor sleep.

At a recent YourGutMap seminar, I learned their tests pinpoint exactly which bacterial imbalances drive symptoms like 3 AM wake-ups.

An interesting read for cancer survivors and those struggling with getting a full nights sleep.

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort after having your baby — or you’re simply unsure how your body is recovering — please don’t ignore it. So many new mothers put their own health last, but your body has been through something extraordinary and deserves care too. A postnatal osteopathic assessment can help identify and ease common issues such as pelvic pain, back tension, or postural strain from feeding and co-sleeping, supporting your recovery and confidence as you adjust to motherhood. Even if you just want a check-up, it’s a safe, gentle space to make sure your body is healing as it should.

Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. These five simple yet powerful strategies blend professional insight and practical life hacks to help you find calm, clarity, and control — even on the busiest days.

Learn how to manage mild to moderate knee arthritis with osteopathy and tailored rehabilitation. Discover how hands-on treatment, exercise, footwear, and diet can reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

Many people with back pain avoid the gym altogether, worried that lifting weights will make things worse. As an Osteopath, I hear this concern all the time — but done correctly, strength training can actually protect your back, not harm it.
In this blog, I explore how weightlifting can help reduce chronic back pain, when it might cause problems, and the simple principles to follow so you can build strength safely and confidently — even if you’ve had back pain for years.

Matcha tea is more than just a health trend — it’s a nutrient-packed, antioxidant-rich powerhouse that may support everything from brain clarity to inflammation reduction. In this week’s blog, we explore what makes matcha different from regular green tea, how it may benefit your body (and mind), and whether it really deserves a place in your daily wellness routine.

If we make collagen ourselves, in our own bodies, why all the big sell on collagen beauty powders?

In this blog we cover what collagen is, what its for (evidence for such claims) and are there dietary changes we could make to get the same collagen gains?

Creatine is often associated with gym-goers, but recent research is shedding light on its wider benefits — particularly for brain function, energy, and aging. In this blog, I explore what creatine is, how it works, and why it might be worth considering even if you’ve never lifted a weight in your life.

Waking up with numb hands? Struggling to grip objects or type comfortably? You could be dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — a common and often misunderstood condition that affects the median nerve in the wrist. In this blog, we explain what causes it, who's most at risk, and how osteopathy, alongside NHS care, can help relieve symptoms and support recovery without jumping straight to surgery.

Muscle pain that doesn’t respond to treatment may not always be mechanical. In this week’s blog, our Principal Osteopath reflects on a recent patient whose long-standing thigh pain dramatically improved after pausing her statin medication — under medical guidance.

We explore how statins work, their vital role in heart health, and why speaking with your GP is essential if medication side effects are suspected.

"What’s the best pillow for my neck?" It’s one of the most common questions I hear as an osteopath — and the answer is never one-size-fits-all. From shoulder width to sleeping position, and even mattress firmness, the right pillow depends on you. In this blog, I share practical tips to help you choose a pillow that supports your spine, improves sleep, and avoids that dreaded morning neck pain — plus how to dispose of old pillows responsibly.

Cramps during the night are a common frustration for many people. While there can be several causes, one often-overlooked factor is the loss of electrolytes through daily activity and sweating. If these vital minerals aren’t replaced, the delicate balance that keeps our muscles contracting and relaxing smoothly can be disrupted – leaving us waking up with painful spasms.

Co-sleeping is a reality for many new parents — sometimes out of choice, often out of necessity.
As an osteopath and a fellow parent, I understand the physical toll it can take. From curled sleeping positions to constant awareness of your baby’s safety, co-sleeping can lead to persistent upper back, neck, and shoulder pain — often long before mums seek help.

In this blog, I share my own experience, the stories I hear in clinic, practical advice for safer co-sleeping, and how osteopathic treatment can ease the aches so you can focus on your baby without the burden of pain.

Did you know sitting can load your lower back more than standing — and even more than lifting?
Your spinal discs work hard every day to absorb shock and keep you moving, but the way we sit, drive, and even eat can quietly wear them down. In this blog, we explore how discs really work (spoiler: they can’t “slip”), why degeneration can start in your 20s, and what you can do right now to keep your spine healthy for the long haul.

Pregnancy and birth place unique demands on the spine and pelvis — and many women are left with unresolved discomfort long after their baby arrives. Our specialist postnatal assessment, offered exclusively by Principal Osteopath Bernitta Willoughby, is designed to address these changes with expert care and clinical precision. With advanced training in Women’s Health Osteopathy and a deep understanding of postnatal recovery, Bernitta helps you feel truly supported as you reconnect with your body.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a sudden shift in clinic: patients losing weight rapidly — and more often than not, it’s linked to Mounjaro, a weight loss injection originally developed for diabetes.

While the results can be striking, I’m starting to hear stories that raise concern: complete appetite suppression, days without eating, exhaustion, and side effects that some can’t tolerate.

This blog shares what I’m observing as an Osteopath — with curiosity, concern, and a deep respect for the complexity of real, sustainable health.