Q: Why do the British talk about the weather so much? A: Because there is so much to talk about!! Here in the UK we are gripped in arctic weather with airports closed, roads closed and nothing getting through. I am presently looking at about 10cms. of snow outside my window and another blizzard is about to descend. I should have seen half a dozen patients today but all cried off - I accept it as one of the joys of self-employment! It looks as if this weather system is staying around for a couple more weeks until the new year. We were due to visit Portree on Monday for a Christmas lunch, but that is looking dodgy at the moment.
As many of you know I am a bit of a cricket nut. I'm busy in watching the ashes match from Perth W.A. at the moment. One of the nicest aspects is to watch players performing in 34 degrees C whilst outside here we are minus 5. I shall take advantage of my unexpected day off to write a few more golden words on the manuscript for the 'Light Touch Reflextherapy' book. I'm well into the 3rd chapter and it is beginning to take shape - I just need a publisher! I am also expecting a telephone consultation with my consultant neurosurgeon to see where we go from here with my cervical spine.
If I don't manage to write again before the festivities commence - have a great Christmas break and a happy new year ('hogmanay' here in Scotland)- JRC
Friday, 17 December 2010
Monday, 6 December 2010
Moving with the times
Hello all - sorry for lack of postings lately - put it down to lack of time and coping with all the bad weather we are experiencing here in the UK. The Skye workshop went well even though there were only four delegates. If I run another one on the island it will be at a more favourable time of the year.
The selling of my books and posters through my web site has always been a low priority on my time and effort and resources, perhaps I should have tried harder to sell my stuff! Because of the low turnover I have always shied away from using credit/debit cards, as they are incredibly expensive. Now Paypal have introduced a system whereby you may purchase goods using either your credit/debit card or Paypal on business web sites for those of us whose turnover is slightly less than the national debt! It took me a little while to upload the data, but now it is there for all to see. Anyone may purchase a poster or book through my 'Contact us' page and just follow the links. I have already done quite a bit of business. This all shows that I really needed to get into the 21st century and embrace the technology that was out there. It also shows that folks will purchase goods only if they have to perform a couple of 'clicks' with the mouse instead of writing boring and tedious emails or, heaven preserve us, from making a telephone call!
Because trade is so brisk (maybe it's Christmas), I am negotiating another reprint -the 5th in 15 years - of the 'Healing with the Chakra Energy System' colour poster. I only have a few left. It has been a wonderful seller for me over the years and it is now available all over the world and has even been translated into French. Must go as I need to shovel some more snow away!! Stay warm.
The selling of my books and posters through my web site has always been a low priority on my time and effort and resources, perhaps I should have tried harder to sell my stuff! Because of the low turnover I have always shied away from using credit/debit cards, as they are incredibly expensive. Now Paypal have introduced a system whereby you may purchase goods using either your credit/debit card or Paypal on business web sites for those of us whose turnover is slightly less than the national debt! It took me a little while to upload the data, but now it is there for all to see. Anyone may purchase a poster or book through my 'Contact us' page and just follow the links. I have already done quite a bit of business. This all shows that I really needed to get into the 21st century and embrace the technology that was out there. It also shows that folks will purchase goods only if they have to perform a couple of 'clicks' with the mouse instead of writing boring and tedious emails or, heaven preserve us, from making a telephone call!
Because trade is so brisk (maybe it's Christmas), I am negotiating another reprint -the 5th in 15 years - of the 'Healing with the Chakra Energy System' colour poster. I only have a few left. It has been a wonderful seller for me over the years and it is now available all over the world and has even been translated into French. Must go as I need to shovel some more snow away!! Stay warm.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Coventry and the ageing process
This week I have been telling my patients that my wife is finally sending me to Coventry. For my non UK readers, this is an expression meaning that you are being ignored! Seriously though, I was due to travel to Coventry in the west midlands to attend a physiotherapy meeting and practical workshop where I was to due to meet up with a few people in my role as Chairman of ACPEM (physiotherapists in energy medicine). Either due to working too hard treating folks or extra gardening, the cervical spondylosis had become so bad that the thought of riding on public transport (especially buses) to get there was not at all appealing. So I sent my apologies and stayed home. It could be over £200 down the river as all flights etc. had to be up-fronted. I may grovel to our treasurer - he's a really NICE man. Apparently I didn't miss much in any case and the wind is blowing into a storm force, with the Skye bridge in danger of being closed so it may be a blessing in disguise that I didn't go.
So it's a check X-ray and a possible visit down to Newcastle to my neurosurgeon to see where we go from here. One thing that I am constantly being told by friends is that I have the skills to help others but not apparently myself! I can see where they are coming from when they say this, but I did not have much say in the matter. I was born with a roto-scoliosis of the thoracic spine which has become both unstable and arthritic - this, in turn has affected the neck due to an alteration in the weight bearing line. So I have to grin and bear it - and try and grow old(er) gracefully. Andrea is always getting on at me to do less - I might start listening for once!!!
So it's a check X-ray and a possible visit down to Newcastle to my neurosurgeon to see where we go from here. One thing that I am constantly being told by friends is that I have the skills to help others but not apparently myself! I can see where they are coming from when they say this, but I did not have much say in the matter. I was born with a roto-scoliosis of the thoracic spine which has become both unstable and arthritic - this, in turn has affected the neck due to an alteration in the weight bearing line. So I have to grin and bear it - and try and grow old(er) gracefully. Andrea is always getting on at me to do less - I might start listening for once!!!
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Surgery versus Conservative Treatment
Over my long career, it has never ceased to amaze me how very little the average doctor knows about physical therapy and what the physiotherapist is capable of in the conservative treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions. When the average Jo or Jane hurts themselves or suffers pain due to accidents, injuries or even wear and tear in the joints - the first port of call is usually the family physician or (in the U.K.) the GP. I could write the book (maybe number 9) on the awful diagnoses I have encountered that GP's have given patients, which usually goes with terrible advice. When, however the doctor is unable to cope with the patient's symptoms, they are often referred to a specialist. That would be great - if the specialist were a physician who had more knowledge of the particular condition than the GP. But the patient usually ends up on the doorstep of an orthopaedic SURGEON. Now I have known some really great 'orthopods' but, equally, have also known some who are very anti (mostly due to ignorance) any kind of physical medicine.
Surely it makes sense that a patient is treated with physio (or osteopathy, etc.) before surgery is attempted yet, sadly, surgery is often used as the first option. Why is there no such doctor as an orthopaedic PHYSICIAN? A surgeon quite naturally thinks in terms of surgery. One can easily recover from unsuccessful physical therapy (you can't win 'em all), but you cannot easily undo surgery. As a physiotherapist, I spend a great deal of time in trying to 'make the most of a bad job' for those who have had surgery that has not worked. I am then treated as a last resort instead of a first resort.
A case in point is the way that Freddie Flintoff was handled. I am biased towards this case as I am a cricket 'nut' and feel we have lost one of the best cricketers of the last generation. I do not know what the original ankle injury was that Freddie sustained and I am sure that he received excellent care by the medical team who looked after him. It seemed to me though that he was subject to the surgeon's knife within a very short time of the original problem. A further operation was required before he returned, tentatively to cricket. Then, lo and behold, he started getting knee pain. This is not exactly a revelation as the surgery would have tightened ligaments and altered the weight bearing line in the lower leg thus inflaming the knee. The knee was then operated on (three times) before time was called on his career. If only conservative treatment had been given a longer run in the first place - who knows what the eventual outcome would have been.
Having said all that, surgery is, obviously, the ONLY way forward in some conditions and is very successful. I suppose if I were a surgeon this blog would be putting the other side of the argument!! Keep well - JRC
Surely it makes sense that a patient is treated with physio (or osteopathy, etc.) before surgery is attempted yet, sadly, surgery is often used as the first option. Why is there no such doctor as an orthopaedic PHYSICIAN? A surgeon quite naturally thinks in terms of surgery. One can easily recover from unsuccessful physical therapy (you can't win 'em all), but you cannot easily undo surgery. As a physiotherapist, I spend a great deal of time in trying to 'make the most of a bad job' for those who have had surgery that has not worked. I am then treated as a last resort instead of a first resort.
A case in point is the way that Freddie Flintoff was handled. I am biased towards this case as I am a cricket 'nut' and feel we have lost one of the best cricketers of the last generation. I do not know what the original ankle injury was that Freddie sustained and I am sure that he received excellent care by the medical team who looked after him. It seemed to me though that he was subject to the surgeon's knife within a very short time of the original problem. A further operation was required before he returned, tentatively to cricket. Then, lo and behold, he started getting knee pain. This is not exactly a revelation as the surgery would have tightened ligaments and altered the weight bearing line in the lower leg thus inflaming the knee. The knee was then operated on (three times) before time was called on his career. If only conservative treatment had been given a longer run in the first place - who knows what the eventual outcome would have been.
Having said all that, surgery is, obviously, the ONLY way forward in some conditions and is very successful. I suppose if I were a surgeon this blog would be putting the other side of the argument!! Keep well - JRC
Saturday, 16 October 2010
French translation
Sorry for the gap since last posting - have been very busy! Disappointed with the 'Hands on Skye' practical workshop next month - it is on but we only have four delegates - and one of those is coming from Rumania! Next year is already shaping up, one in London in January, one in Glasgow in March, the ACPEM conference in April for starters. Neck is no worse!!! I wish I could say it was better - but I have been pushing it more than usual lately with end of season gardening.
One of my 'fans' in France has decided to translate the 'Acupuncture and the Chakra Energy System' book into French as North Atlantic Books didn't think it would take off there (foolish lot). Why it has been translated into Czech, Portugese and Estonian and not French is beyond me, but I am not a publisher thank goodness. He has asked hundreds of questions along the way but has now almost completed the task. He is hoping to get a French publisher to print it for him. One of the many queries that he had was the fact that I stated that in my opinion many allopathic medicines are suppressive in nature and are detrimental to our Vital Force. I thought there was nothing wrong in stating what, after all, is main stream naturopathic thought. Apparently the French Medical Council could sue me for stating such blasphemy. What a load of cods.......! I'm not sure if I should tell them to get lost or tow the line. My chakra chart is available in French and no-one has complained about that. How do Canadians who write in French get on. Suggestions please on a post card. Bye for now - JRC
One of my 'fans' in France has decided to translate the 'Acupuncture and the Chakra Energy System' book into French as North Atlantic Books didn't think it would take off there (foolish lot). Why it has been translated into Czech, Portugese and Estonian and not French is beyond me, but I am not a publisher thank goodness. He has asked hundreds of questions along the way but has now almost completed the task. He is hoping to get a French publisher to print it for him. One of the many queries that he had was the fact that I stated that in my opinion many allopathic medicines are suppressive in nature and are detrimental to our Vital Force. I thought there was nothing wrong in stating what, after all, is main stream naturopathic thought. Apparently the French Medical Council could sue me for stating such blasphemy. What a load of cods.......! I'm not sure if I should tell them to get lost or tow the line. My chakra chart is available in French and no-one has complained about that. How do Canadians who write in French get on. Suggestions please on a post card. Bye for now - JRC
Monday, 20 September 2010
Update
It's great to be back and I trust you are all refreshed with your Summer breaks. Just an update this blog before getting down to serious stuff .
1. I am recovering from having received a series of epidural injections into my neck to help with the pain of my spondylosis - fingers crossed!! I had to journey about 5 hours away to the other side of Scotland as, obviously, there is nothing more local.
2. I am at last running a local workshop here in Skye. It is called HANDS ON SKYE and is being held at the Skeabost Country House Hotel near Portree on 19-21 November. It is essentially a practical workshop for hands on therapists teaching them how to use acupressure, reflextherapy, cranio-sacral therapy and bodywork in the treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions. Bookings slow but it is ON.
3. Today sees the publication of my 6th. book - 'A Concise Book of Acupoints' - published by Lotus Publishing of Chichester U.K. This is superbly illustrated and has been quite an ordeal to write as I had not originally intended to do this one. Lotus asked me to do it following the death of the guy who should have done it!
4. I am writing my 7th book called 'Light Touch Reflextherapy' at the moment. It should be published next Summer.
5. I continue to receive some brilliant emails from practitioners and the like from all over the world - the problem is to find time in replying to them!!
Will write as soon as I can
1. I am recovering from having received a series of epidural injections into my neck to help with the pain of my spondylosis - fingers crossed!! I had to journey about 5 hours away to the other side of Scotland as, obviously, there is nothing more local.
2. I am at last running a local workshop here in Skye. It is called HANDS ON SKYE and is being held at the Skeabost Country House Hotel near Portree on 19-21 November. It is essentially a practical workshop for hands on therapists teaching them how to use acupressure, reflextherapy, cranio-sacral therapy and bodywork in the treatment of musculo-skeletal conditions. Bookings slow but it is ON.
3. Today sees the publication of my 6th. book - 'A Concise Book of Acupoints' - published by Lotus Publishing of Chichester U.K. This is superbly illustrated and has been quite an ordeal to write as I had not originally intended to do this one. Lotus asked me to do it following the death of the guy who should have done it!
4. I am writing my 7th book called 'Light Touch Reflextherapy' at the moment. It should be published next Summer.
5. I continue to receive some brilliant emails from practitioners and the like from all over the world - the problem is to find time in replying to them!!
Will write as soon as I can
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Break
I am taking a break from postings for a couple of months in order to catch up on the enormous amount of writing and admin that I need to do before the autumn. Essential bits and pieces will be put on my web site - have a good summer! JRC
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