From laser beams to Unicorns and something about a £50 note!

Laser Beams an Unicorns are not the first things that would come to mind when you think about physiotherapy. Our competition winner Lauren Thomas has just had her initial assessment with our Specialist Physiotherapist Lauren Bradshaw at Progress.

The initial assessment included biomechanical analysis with a specific focus on running. This included movement screening and strength endurance of major muscle groups required to run efficiently.

You can see how Lauren got on with her plank and her side planks, which included the good side and the wonky!

We speak to Lauren about how she feels about being our athlete and a little bit of her running history here.

If you are starting your training plan and want some expert advice from Lauren or any of the team at Progress call 01223 200580 to arrange an appointment.

 

At the heart of CUCBC’s road to the 2017 Boat Race

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Cambridge University Boat Club gathered at Progress for hi-tech Cardio Screening

Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) undergo heart screening with an ECG and Echocardiogram at Progress, The Cambridge Centre for Health and Performance.

Dr Leonard Shapiro, Consultant Cardiologist at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, who examined the CUBC team for cardiovascular conditions, said: “We are proud to be part of Cambridge University Boat Club’s journey to the Boat Race 2017 and look forward to beating Oxford on the Thames”

He continues “ECG and Echocardiograms are not just for elite athletes as they can be very useful to everybody offering diagnostic information to help  show any damage to the heart muscle”

Helping to ensure the athletes representing Cambridge are fit to handle the rigors of rowing for such a prestigious team, these advanced tests can assist in identifying undetected cardiovascular conditions, which are sometimes found in the healthiest of sportspeople. 

Leading the health programme is CUBC Team Medical Officer and member of the British Rowing Medical Panel, Dr Simon Owens. “The BNY Mellon Boat Race is a high profile event that pushes athletes to the limit of their endurance and cardiovascular screening is an important issue. We have worked together to develop this wonderful programme and we are very grateful to Dr Shapiro for his great expertise and to Progress for their excellent facilities in helping us to look after out athletes”

Following the team screening, Dr Shapiro reported that the strong hearted men were all fit for the challenges ahead. And for those keeping count… Cambridge currently lead Oxford with 82 to 79 wins.

For more information on our Cardiology services that are available at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital click here.

Let us help you get back on course

Let us help you get back on course

Here at Progress we have noticed that the temperatures outside are rising and the sun is out making it an ideal time for a round of golf with good friends.

It’s frustrating when you want to get back on the course if you have an achy back, pulled muscle or painful condition like arthritis. You know it may need to be treated or need a medical opinion, but you just never seem to get round to it.

Golf is a game which is now more popular than ever. It is played by a wide variety of the population with varying size, shape, age, fitness and health of players. As a result, when injuries in golf occur, these can potentially aggravate a pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis or chronic overuse injuries. The majority of golf injuries are associated with a lack of core control, limitations in flexibility or imperfections in the swing, all that twisting and bending can lead to back pain, or even injury.

Being in good physical condition is an important factor to becoming a great golfer. Being out on the green usually means standing on your feet long periods of time and having to walk far distances. A golfer in good physical shape will have the stamina to play a full golf game.

It is never too late or too early to improve your strength and flexibility!

To make an appointment with one of our Physiotherapy team or to find out more, call 01223 200580 or for more information on our other services visit our website www.progresshealth.co.uk

Post race/run tips

Progress - Post race/run tips. Top tips for immediately after your run 

• Take advantage of a quick massage today

• Try using ice to massage any sore areas or an ice bath at home

• Drink lots of fluids, especially ones rich in electrolytes such as orange juice or tomato juice (now is the time for electrolyte drinks vs during the race)

• Try to drink at least 180-250mls of water every 1-2 hours

• Eat something as soon as you can - most glycogen energy stores are replaced more effectively eating within 1-2 hours post exercise.

 Top tips for the following dayYou will be sore - try to keep moving to aid the circulation and reduce stiffness; aim to do a walk or light swim in the afternoon for 20 minutes

• Eat - replenish those energy stores!! Eat well balanced meals with 50-60% complex carbohydrates to replenish the body's energy stores. Take in adequate protein to repair any tissue damage

• A long soak in the tub is ‘OK’ today, but ice baths thereafter will aid recovery more for your muscles

• Rest and get to bed early

 Stiffness and soreness-when to seek helpDeveloping stiff and sore muscles after a hard run is normal and is due to a buildup of lactic acid in your muscles. This is called delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS).

• Listen to your body - over the course of a few days post run, these aches and pains should slowly subside and can be aided by light stretching, sports massage, ice baths and low intensity jogs

• Seek expert physio help if after a few days the aches and pains do not seem to be subsiding or are increasing

 Planning the next raceAfter you've completed this event, try to think about your running in terms of a reverse taper. It is recommended to take 2-3 days off during the last week leading up to your run, so do the same thing the week after.
Then, if you are an experienced runner, start doing whatever feels good, but even the most seasoned of runners probably won't be ready for a long run right away.
Beginners, if you have been bitten by the running bug, start looking for your next race, but give yourself enough time to recover from this one.  Be careful to build up your training intensity and mileage steadily. If in doubt seek expert advice. If you have any questions regarding the above please contact our team on 01223 200580

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Progress donate Advent Box to WinterComfort

This Christmas the team at Spire Cambridge Lea’s Physiotherapy centre Progress have all joined together to gather a food box for Wintercomfort. Wintercomfort is a charity that supports homeless vulnerable housed men and women by offering them vital welfare service and opportunities for learning and development.  Cristopher Kellett, Physiotherapy Manger, said “as a team here at Progress we are always happy to support a local charity especially at Christmas and Wintercomfort is a very worthy cause, the team have all come together to bring food items in for the advent box which we look forward to taking to Wintercomfort. From all of the team here we would like to wish them a Merry Christmas”