Improving performance and monitoring stress with our new Monitor

Andrea Sanders-Reece, a youthful 53 year-old Creative Consultant/Copywriter (and runner!) writes about her experience of using the new Central Health Monitor

"Curiosity was my initial reason for trying out the Central Health new service. I've always been quite sporty, playing tennis, swimming and cycling but a few years ago I added running to the list - competing in short distances to marathons. I never took much notice of heart rate or rest periods - although I always aimed to have a clear day without exercise each week. And my diet, I'm ashamed to say, is probably a touch coffee and chocolate orientated, with at least five a day fruit and vegetables thrown in for good measure. My work can be exceedingly pressurised with exciting new tomorrows wanted yesterday. Recently my sleep has been extremely disturbed and I can't remember the last time I slept through the night. So, I decided it would be useful to see if my various activities were having a detrimental or positive effect on my health!

The monitor was easy to use and took only an hour or two to get used to and I wore it continuously through daily work, play, sport and sleep. I was amazed to see that my restless nights were actually not disturbing rest and recovery at all and I remained relaxed - so I could stop fretting about that and relax even more when I now wake. The second thing was that the Central Health team said there was space to push even harder during training sessions with my running club - I've since gone on to run a personal best time for a mile and feel certain I'll break my 10K PB this season. The data also showed quite clearly the stress levels building as I prepared for a deadline for work but reassuringly how quickly I recovered.

For me the monitor was extremely useful both for reassurance over my sleep and recovery rates and as an incentive to push myself more during training and thus improve race performance."

As well as monitoring performance, the Central Health latest service uses innovative technology as a tool to help you understand more about your stress levels and how lifestyle changes, through an appropriate management programme, can give significant health benefits.

Prices for the full assessment start at £250.
There is an introductory price of £200 until the end of September.

10,000th Patient

The 10,000th patient at our Chancery Lane clinic was the lucky recipient of a bottle of Champagne.

The Central Health team looks forward to welcoming and treating the next 10,000 patients!

Physiotherapists in the midst of Ashes fever!

Central Health has had a long association with cricket.

In recent years team members Pete Waxman and Brendon Zeman have been supplying physiotherapy services to Middlesex County Cricket Club and Lords Cricket Ground.

Pete and Brendon's core work involves the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all injuries. Also, along with the coaches, captain and the strength and conditioning coach they monitor performance, workload, and fitness with the aim to keep players on the pitch performing at their optimal levels. Both are on duty at all major matches at Lords including test matches and domestic/international finals. The physiotherapy room at Lords can often be a place of sanctuary for the likes of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting or Chris Gayle after a disputed dismissal or hard day in the field.

Pete and Brendon travel with the Middlesex 1st team around the UK and since last year's winning campaign in the 20 20 cup have travelled to Antigua and Dubai in international tournaments. They are also responsible for the rest of the Middlesex squad and academy as well as the academy at Lords itself.

During the cricket off season (October to April) both are based at our clinics at The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth and Chancery Lane where they have a well earned break from the cricketers!

British Junior Tennis Nationals

This year again Clare Morrell and Gemma Newell are supplying the medical, physiotherapy cover, on behalf of the LTA, for the British Junior Tennis Nationals held in Bournemouth from the 8th August to the 23rd August.

They will be expected to supply court side care as well as run a clinic for the players throughout the tournament. Full story and pictures in the next issue.

Carolyn at the Wimbledon Ball

Physiotherapist Carolyn Aldridge played WAG for one evening and accompanied French boyfriend Michaël Jérémiasz, winner of the Wimbledon Gentlemen's Wheelchair Doubles with partner Stéphane Houdet, to the Wimbledon Ball. She took the opportunity to meet 6th time Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles winner Roger Federer, now hailed as tennis's greatest men's champion - and since 23rd July the proud father of twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose.

Hydrotherapy at Springdene Clinic - Wave your pains goodbye

Hydrotherapy is a popular aspect of rehabilitation at our Springdene Clinic with both inpatients and outpatients. Most patients suffer from orthopaedic pathologies and frequently have some general de-conditioning. Hydrotherapy is the perfect therapeutic solution for those who may not be so physically able on dry land.

The buoyancy, support, and the resistance of water enhanced exercises create a safe environment for rehabilitation. The temperature of the water prompts muscle relaxation, facilitates stretching and generally helps reduce the sensation of pain.

The Physiotherapy team at Springdene, led by Elaine Byrne and Martin van Heerden (pictured in the pool) has been very successful, building their patient base through word of mouth as well as referrals from the local community. There are few hydrotherapy pools around and patients are provided with one on one therapy.

For more information call the team on 020 8492 8950 or email springdeneclinic@btconnect.com.

New Qualification

Congratulations to Mischell Watson, our Practice Manager, who has just qualified as a traditional acupuncturist and will shortly be opening a clinic both at Chancery Lane and the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. Mischell trained at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, where she studied both Five Element and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), under tutors who themselves trained and worked alongside J.R. Worsley, renowned for bringing Five Element Acupuncture to the West.

Mischell treats an array of conditions such as headache, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, back and shoulder pain, depression, anxiety, lethargy, menstrual disorders and various conditions during pregnancy.

Email Mischell for more details

New People

Welcome to Henry StClair who joined Central Health in July, specialising in deep tissue massage for muscles that are tired from over-use.

Henry was a professional ballet dancer for twelve years, finishing his career at the prestigious Royal Ballet company in London's Covent Garden. This led him to a deep understanding of the human body and particularly the effects of hard physical training.

After his fair share of injuries and the resulting physiotherapy and many hours of massage Henry felt he had an ideal career to step into after dance. After graduating with distinction in holistic and deep tissue massage therapy from ITEC Henry now divides his time between the Royal Ballet School where he is on the medical staff as their massage therapist and Central Health clinics in Chancery Lane and the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. Henry counts numerous international ballet dancers as his private clients.

Wedding 'Belles'

Amanda Thomson married Samuel Collins on the 14th July at Drumtochty castle in Scotland. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, emotional service in the grounds of the castle followed by dinner and a ceilidh.

We wish them much happiness.

Elaine Byrne will tie the knot this autumn.