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Health Screening: Why regular appointments are important

Health Screening: Why regular appointments are important

Dec 20, 2023

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Health screening checks are a great option if you are looking for a summary of your overall health. They enable us to identify any risk factors you may have for more serious health conditions that could develop later down the line. Beyond this, our health screening checks can assist you in your long term health goals, whether that be losing weight, reducing stress, or simply getting in better shape.

Our team at Opus will support you on this journey and help contribute to your healthier lifestyle. So, what exactly can our health screening checks tell you?

There are so many different health problems that may arise throughout our life, and we cannot test for all of them. However, most health problems have a similar set of underlying risk factors that can be detected. This includes a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and smoking, to name a few. If you are still wondering how health screening checks and lifestyle changes can lower your risk of health problems, let’s take a look.

The phrase sedentary lifestyle often implies that your physical activity levels are very low; this may be a result of your occupation, but moving around throughout the day is detrimental to your health. The World Health Organization details that a sedentary lifestyle alone significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety. Likewise, smoking represents one of the largest causes of health problems in the UK, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Simply increasing your daily activity levels and cutting back on the number of cigarettes you have can significantly reduce the risk of developing these health problems in the future.

During your health screening, we will start with gaining an understanding of your daily habits, identifying any that might increase your risk of health problems later on in life, before moving on to testing. Depending on the health screening package you have selected, or that has been tailored to your needs, tests may include hydration levels, body fat percentage, urine analysis, a full blood biochemistry profile including liver and kidney function, blood glucose test for diabetes, cholesterol profile, dietary analysis, a lung function test, resting ECG, and cardiovascular risk score, amongst many others. Collectively, these will provide a great starting point for the changes that need to be made in your everyday life.

Booking a health screening can often be overwhelming, with a host of different options available online. Although we offer several different health screening and wellbeing packages available for you to book directly, our team are able to tailor the packages to your individual needs, providing you with that added peace of mind.

Get in touch today to book your health screening check and start your journey to a healthy lifestyle with Opus.

Platelet rich plasma injections for arthritis.

Platelet rich plasma injections for arthritis.

Dec 14, 2023

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya from Pexels

Arthritis is a term that encompasses several different conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The underlying pathophysiology of these conditions lies with inflammation of the joint, eventually resulting in a destruction of the cartilage and bone within the joint itself.

The prevalence of this condition is astonishing, with more than 10 million people in the UK alone being affected by arthritis at some stage in their life. Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent arthritic conditions, with current statistics estimating that one in ten adults in the UK has symptomatic clinically diagnosed osteoarthritis. These figures alone call for more effective treatment options to be administered. This is where platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections come in.

PRP has been adopted in clinical practice to promote cell regeneration for decades; however, only recently has it been considered as a potential approach to treating osteoarthritis.

A 2013 study of 78 patients with osteoarthritis in both knees revealed that PRP injections resulted in a reduction in pain and stiffness, alongside an improvement in overall knee function at six weeks and three months post-administration. Similar results have been observed in many other studies, from animal models up to case reports. The goal of PRP in patients with osteoarthritis is to reduce pain, improve joint function, and halt or even repair the damage done to the cartilage. The higher concentration of platelets found in PRP enables an increased secretion of growth factors at the arthritic site, regulating cell division, stimulating tissue regeneration, and promoting healing.

Several theories have been proposed that explain the promising impact of PRP on osteoarthritis:

  1. PRP inhibits inflammatory markers, reducing inflammation and halting the progression of your osteoarthritis,
  2.  Stimulates the action of mesenchymal stem cells, resulting in the formation of new cartilage at the arthritic site,
  3. Increase your body’s production of fluid at the joint site, reducing joint friction and the subsequent pain,
  4. It contains proteins that alter your pain receptors response to sensation, reducing the pain experienced from arthritis.

Although there is no substantial evidence supporting the above theories, the promising improvements seen in osteoarthritis patients following PRP are widespread. If you are interested in finding out more about PRP, the conditions it can treat, and how Opus support you through your journey with us, get in touch today.

Is there an increased injury risk to football players during the busy Christmas schedule?

Is there an increased injury risk to football players during the busy Christmas schedule?

Dec 12, 2023

It’s that time of year again where the managers at the top premier league clubs resent the hectic fixture list that’s thrown at them. Less time to prepare and to recover and as a result, a risk of a reduction in the quality of performance. However, is there also an added risk to the player’s well being? With a forced significant change in their pre and post match routines, are they at higher risk of injury?

If we take a look at one of those clubs affected in this manner, West Ham (European Champions and Premier League heavyweights), their fixture list over the next month consists of 10 games. A mix of league, Carabao cup, FA Cup and Europa League games make for an incredibly intense festive period. As a club that doesn’t have the same luxury, as say Man City, when it comes to squad size, and therefore the ability to rotate playing staff, there is a good chance you will see a very similar starting 11 in most of these games. The intensity of each of these games, the colder weather, the travel up and down the country and into Europe are all factors that can impact how a player feels and therefore performs on the pitch.

Julian, Page and Harper, 1, (2020) conducted a systematic review on the effects of fixture congestion on performance during male professional football matches and found that performance variables such as low and moderate intensity distances covered during the 90 mins reduces. They also suggest a possible reduction in tactical performance, with decreased synchronisation between the players.

Page et. al, 2, (2022) have then gone on to take a look at a direct correlation between fixture congestion and injury in professional male soccer. They state that overall injury risk is increased during matches completed within fixture-congested periods. This is further supported by findings from a substantial European competition review which shows an increase in hamstring and quadricep muscular injuries during periods of fixture congestion. 3. (Bengtsson et. al 2014)

This leads to a very valid point of discussion, that these findings could help provide a source of scientific evidence for governing bodies to elicit change  to support player welfare and develop a more sustainable match calendar that promotes a player’s career longevity.

In the meantime however, it will continue to be a period of time where coaching and medical staff will have to regularly review and adapt their training, pre and post match plans in order to keep injury risk at a minimum and performance levels as high as possible. Players may be required to take on a role of being more active in their own recovery away from the training ground. Nutrition plans being altered to suit the increased regularity of match days. The use of alternative therapies such as heat, ice and compression when at home and ensuring plenty of sleep and rest when the opportunity arises.

Reference List

 

  • Julian, R., Page, R.M. and Harper, L.D. (2020). The Effect of Fixture Congestion on Performance During Professional Male Soccer Match-Play: A Systematic Critical Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 51. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01359-9.

  • Page, R.M., Field, A., Langley, B., Harper, L.D. and Julian, R. (2022). The Effects of Fixture Congestion on Injury in Professional Male Soccer: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01799-5.

  • Bengtsson, H., Ekstrand, J., Waldén, M. and Hägglund, M. (2014). MUSCLE INJURY RATES IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL INCREASE WITH FIXTURE CONGESTION: AN 11-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE INJURY STUDY. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(7), pp.566.2-567. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.19.

Is there an increased injury risk to football players during the busy Christmas schedule?

Lower back pain in Golf

Nov 23, 2023

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common injury for golfers as 34.5 % of all golfing injuries involve the lumbar spine. It is important to understand the golf swing in order to identify the cause of injury and provide optimum treatment. Most injuries occur due to the impact of the golf club and the follow-through phase. Follow-through phase promotes lumber extension and eccentric contraction of abdominals in order to generate force and rotation; this places increased pressure on the spine and intervertebral discs (Finn et. Al 2013). Hosea et. al found that the compressive load during a golf swing was considerably higher in professionals than amateur golfers, with a difference of 7584 N versus 6100 N. The compressive load in a professional golf swing is equivalent to 8 times body weight (Dale and Brumitt, 2015). It is important to compare this to cadaveric studies which have shown disc prolapses to occur at 5,500 N; this highlights that the golf swing (in both amateur and professional golfers) is able to generate enough force to injure the lumbar spine (Lindsay and Vandervoot,2014).

The golf swing is repetitive, asymmetric in nature and dependent on the dominant hand; this can determine the location and severity of LBP. For example, in a right-handed golfer, the right- sided external obliques, paraspinal muscles and abdominals take the most impact and therefore the right lumbar region is most commonly injured. Also, the end position of the golf swing is called reverse C position which promotes lumbar extension and increases the risk of facet irritation. In more severe cases, spondylosis and discogenic back pain can occur from poor technique and severe muscle imbalances. (Finn et. Al 2013)

It is important to focus on muscle imbalances, thoracic and lumbar mobility and technique to prevent and recover from LBP. From analysing the swing mechanics, core stability exercises are essential in LBP rehabilitation (Evans and Oldreive,2013). Horton et al. found a delay in muscle activation in abdominal muscle for golfers with LBP, especially the lead external oblique during back swings; this further highlights the importance of core strength and endurance in protecting lumbar spine. (Horton et. Al 2001). Hip stabilisation and mobility is equally important to aid trunk rotation and lumbar stability. Vad et. al demonstrated that reduced lead hip rotation (internal and external) and lumbar spinae extension were found in golfers with LBP; this may be due to decreased hip rotation in the leading lower limb causing more force to be directed into the spine (Vad et. al 2004). Therefore, ensuring glute strengthening exercises in rehabilitation are key to provide a base of support for trunk rotation. (Finn et. Al 2013)

Reference List

 

  • Dale, R.B. and Brumitt, J. (2016). Spine biomechanics associated with the shortened, modern one-plane golf swing. Sports Biomechanics, 15(2), pp.198–206. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2016.1159723.

  • Evans, C. and Oldreive, W. (2000). A Study to Investigate Whether Golfers with a History of Low Back Pain Show a Reduced Endurance of Transversus Abdominis. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 8(4), pp.162–174. doi:https://doi.org/10.1179/jmt.2000.8.4.162.

  • Finn, C. (2013). Rehabilitation of Low Back Pain in Golfers. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 5(4), pp.313–319. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738113479893.

  • HORTON, J.F., LINDSAY, D.M. and MACINTOSH, B.R. (2001). Abdominal muscle activation of elite male golfers with chronic low back pain. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33(10), pp.1647–1654. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200110000-00006.

  • Lindsay, D. and A. Vandervoort, A. (2014). Golf-Related Low Back Pain: A Review of Causative Factors and Prevention Strategies. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.24289.

  • Vad, V.B., Bhat, A.L., Basrai, D., Gebeh, A., Aspergren, D.D. and Andrews, J.R. (2004). Low Back Pain in Professional Golfers. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 32(2), pp.494–497. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546503261729.

Is there an increased injury risk to football players during the busy Christmas schedule?

Are we finally seeing the necessary consistent respect towards reducing the risk of head injuries in Elite sport?

Nov 14, 2023

What a game. What a Rugby World cup. What a final performance from both the Springboks and Kiwis. But, as always when there is any form of controversy in a big match, we will ask the question. If New Zealand captain Sam Cane didn’t have his yellow card upgraded to a red card so early on in the contest would it have been the same outcome? The rugby fan in me would love to have seen 15 vs 15 for a full 80 mins of course. However, to witness the sense taken by the officials in making an example of what is a direct shoulder to head shot, on the biggest stage there is, was a great decision. We need to protect contact sport athletes around head and spinal injuries and I personally hope this particular event will help to amplify this.

Some fantastic research was done into the frequency and type of head injuries experienced at the 2019 rugby world cup. Across 45 matches, 68 head injuries occurred with just over half of these players being removed from the field of play (Cooke et al 2023). 1. It’s going to be fascinating to see if with the recent changes in approach to the treatment and discipline of head injury related incidents in this year’s tournament correlates to a significant statistical shift compared to 2019.

Thankfully there has been much change In recent years in both the medical management of head injuries in rugby union and also the disciplinary approach to offending players.

A huge contributing factor to the progression of management and increase in discipline towards head injuries has been driven by the recent cases of ex players receiving a diagnosis of dementia with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy. A recent paper on ‘Football’s Influence on Lifelong health and Dementia risk (FIELD)’ found that ex-professional international rugby players had twice the risk of developing dementia in later life than compared to the general population (Russell et. al 2019)2.

From the medical side, there’s been much clearer guidelines set out on the in play decision making on concussion and also on the return to play protocol. The emphasis on both the ‘recognise and remove’ principle and ‘Graduated return to Activity and Sport (GRAS) programme’ are highlighted in the HEADCASE extended guidelines posted by the RFU. 3.

Hopefully, the sensible refereeing decision made in last weekend’s final will have had a suitable impact on all those involved in the coaching and playing of rugby union. Understanding the importance of trying to abide by the safe tackling laws of the game, should correlate to us seeing less cases of longer term head injury consequences in competitors of the sport.