Frozen Shoulder

There are many types of shoulder injuries. Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is what happens when your shoulder capsule thickens, making your shoulder stiff, tight, and hard to move. The shoulder then forms bands of tissue called adhesions. The end result? Pain and an inability to move your shoulder over time. This can make it hard to do tasks like reaching overhead or reaching behind you.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective way of treating frozen shoulder. Acupuncture needles are inserted around the shoulder area (front and back), upper arms, elbow, hand and in any relevant myofascial trigger points. It helps to reduce inflammation, pain and shoulder stiffness. Acupuncture and moxibustion, along with appropriate exercises I will demonstrate, help to increase range of motion and mobility by increasing blood flow to the area.

The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder is discussed in the Journal of Evidence based and complimentary medicine. The Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (hindawi.com)

Exercise and Fitness

Keith Anderson writes in The Guardian (Sun 29 Sep 2019) writes about “How to get started as a runner.“ He recommends a gentle approach if you are not used to exercise. “Body conditioning is a good way to ease yourself in; cross-training leading on to easy runs is better than going from zero to flat out.” Keep it fun and comfortable. A 20-30 minute run is likely to keep you motivated.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/29/how-to-get-started-as-a-runner?fbclid=IwAR2eHjcF5Ir_PSfhTxSIRmnsb_3fxJfaU675f6Edj5gmMTJ8DMSKQtTjs3c

Dancing makes you happy according to psychology-spot.com. In a two year study psychologists looked at the effect of regular dance classes on teenagers who suffered from anxiety, depression and stress, in addition to presenting psychosomatic symptoms such as neck and back pain. After two years, the group that attended dance classes showed a significant improvement in psychosomatic symptoms and an increase in happiness.
https://psychology-spot.com/dancing-makes-me-happy/?fbclid=IwAR1--vIV6R8gHoX4vDj9woDRtdaXA4vUHOwdPMrT_mGeF7sHyKZLpephMdQ

Higher Perspective write about hip and lower back pain. It affects 30 million people between the ages of 20 and 64. Our sedentary lifestyles lead to tightness, especially between the shoulders, and pain. It offers nine east stretches to release and relive this pain.

https://www.higherperspectives.com/easy-stretches-2627924630.html?fbclid=IwAR2pK0wTdOnRQgsl07UuJyaSylUA0ZmxJN2h8CSsGxjL_Glzl7q-Jbl6zbE

Gretchen Reynolds writes that physically fit young adults have healthier white matter in their brains and better thinking skills than young people who are out of shape (The New York Times, Oct. 5, 2019)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/well/move/being-young-active-and-physically-fit-may-be-very-good-for-your-brain.html?fbclid=IwAR3PJt5US9cjEKDFSkWaglLitvkG564sQE4Dya36M31fH1vShQ3De-ALYtA

Walking 8900 steps per day could lower risk of Alzheimer's according to researchers from Harvard University:

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/alzheimers-disease-dementia-walking-health-study-risk-a9007846.html?fbclid=IwAR2soBYHy4pgEu9St0l_2h5A-JNvz9f_k2igpcoKUBGNSB_5TR3oyecbj8M

Simple exercise you enjoy may be better than obsessive exercise writes Gwendolyn Smith in The Guardian (July, 2019):

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/15/eating-disorder-obsessive-exercise-swimming-plumpness-power?fbclid=IwAR1cL1T1LYb3igrj57YBx0ssAbdg5makDtqSimLVzvCOdljrTL5e1M6DjUM

Neuroscientist Shane O’Mara believes that plenty of regular walking unlocks the cognitive powers of the brain like nothing else. Amy Fleming (The Guardian, July 2019) met him on a walk to discuss his findings:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/28/its-a-superpower-how-walking-makes-us-healthier-happier-and-brainier

Stretching before exercise does not reduce the risk of local muscle injury: a critical review of the clinical and basic science literature:

https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/10593217

I have studied Qigong at the College of Chinese Medicine as part of my Acupuncture Degree. I have also Taiji and Qigong for nearly twenty years. This enables me to offer the right exercises to help recover from stiffness and also from musculoskeletal injuries.

Getting out into the Countryside

I like to get out into the countryside as much as possible. I lead walks for 3 meetup groups in the North West of England. You get to see the countryside, get some fresh air and have a chat. As one of the hikers on last nights walk "Macclesfield Forest & Shutlinsloe" said "Occasionally, rarely, everything conspires together to create a perfect walk. Like this one. Terrain, weather, people, scenery, interest, sunset, pub. One to remember." The are we visited was once part of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield – where wild boar, deer and wolves were hunted in medieval times.

I got some help on the walk from a local who knew some local history and points of interest. Since we both knew the route I was able to lead or back mark the walk. This allowed me to chat to my fellow hikers and not worry about the pace or whether people were keeping up. The midges and flies plagued us at the start but once we got onto the moorland where there was some wind they disappeared. These shared walks and experiences help to ground us and bring us closer to nature.

Pictures were taken by myself and other members of the meetup groups I was leading.

Impromptu Headstand on Shutlinsloe

Heading up the Hill

Sunset over the Reservoir

Panorama