Can Chocolate ever be Healthy?
Can Chocolate ever be Healthy?

There is a lot of scientific evidence showing that dark chocolate can provide powerful health benefits, and personally I love eating a couple of squares of guilt-free dark chocolate after a meal as it gives me that sweetness hit that many of us crave.

If you ever needed an excuse to eat chocolate, here it is…

Read more
SOP Facebook page hacked
SOP Facebook page hacked

Since early March hackers have disabled and taken over the SOP Facebook page and begun impersonating Emma and posting content. It is possible that the posts may become malicious. There could be posts that advertise fake products or services in exchange for personal details or money.

It is therefore vital that followers stop following the Stockbridge Osteopathic Practice account, avoid commenting, liking and sharing content and above all, not to part with any money or personal details.

Read more
Tracey highlights that Osteopathy is more than just backs. Can she help you?
Tracey highlights that Osteopathy is more than just backs. Can she help you?

Tracey loves the diverse benefits of Osteopathy beyond treating back and joint pain. And especially enjoys alleviating migraines, concussions, and supporting mothers and babies with feeding and sleep routines and using Cranial Osteopathy as a gentle and effective therapy. I hope to raise awareness about Osteopathy's value in supporting active and fulfilling lives.

Can Tracey help you?

Read more
By Emma Wightman
The Scientifically Proven Healing Benefits of Forest Bathing
The Scientifically Proven Healing Benefits of Forest Bathing

At last, Spring is here, and hopefully bringing with it some warmth and sunshine. Getting into your local woodlands is not only good for your physical fitness, but there are some other incredible benefits, from lowering blood pressure to improving focus and even boosting healing. Read more to find out the healing benefits of going into the woods…

Read more
By Emma Wightman
The best resolution for 2024: Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice
The best resolution for 2024: Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice

Decisions, decisions! In a world inundated with convenient and tempting but often unhealthy options, making the decision to prioritise health can be challenging. However, by adopting a few simple strategies it is possible to transform healthy living from a daunting task into a seamless and natural part of daily life.

Read on to find out how to, not only make the healthy choice the easy choice, but to make it the unavoidable choice…!

 

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Will you be sticking with your long-loved traditions?
Will you be sticking with your long-loved traditions?

Either way the message in the media is clear; just because it has always been, does it have to continue? Does it still serve its purpose? Or does it feel the right time for a change?

When we become aware of our habits, and only then, can we then become aware of what is not serving us anymore, or has even become a burden or stressor. Read on to discover how to navigate Christmas without the pressure and worry…

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Menopause Matters
Menopause Matters

October is Menopause Month, and women’s health is my favourite subject, so I wanted to bring you my top tips on not just surviving this period of your life, but really thriving!

On my Womo Women’s Health Course, these are the top reported concerns that women have, and here in brief, I will offer some solutions...

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Posture: Don’t just sit there!
Posture: Don’t just sit there!

What do we mean by ‘posture’? It is rather an over-used word and can be confusing. You could interchange the word ‘shape’ for the word ‘posture’. When I assess shape I am looking at the position of the body when sitting or standing, and where the centre of gravity lies. It is how the body has adapted to misalignment that creates poor posture and an altered centre of gravity. But what can we do at home to improve it?

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Self-care at home
Self-care at home

As an Osteopath I recommend some form of self care to all my patients as what we do with hands on treatment in clinic is a kickstart but it is then up to you and what you do on a daily basis that will make the effects of treatment last longer and hopefully get you feeling better quicker. This then also helps for the medium-long term plan which will educate you on what is normal and what is stiff or tight so you can work on areas before they become a bigger issue. 

Read more
What is a Blue Zone? Why am I travelling there?
What is a Blue Zone? Why am I travelling there?

The longest lived communities live in the mountains, but beyond that, I look forward to finding out more reasons for their good health, such as how do they manage stress? Whether religion plays a role? What is the typical diet? Do they use traditional and natural medicines? Is there inter-generational living? What does their daily activity, movement and exercise consist of?

Read more
By Emma Wightman
“It’s your age”
“It’s your age”

How often do you hear this, or even say it to yourself, when you have ongoing symptoms, aches or pains?

Well, I’m here to stand on my little soap box and to boldly say, it’s not your age, it’s not inevitable or to be expected, and there is something you can do about it!

Read more
By Emma Wightman
How to stay pain free in the garden
How to stay pain free in the garden

As much as we love to see you, the summer months surge in gardening activity is responsible for a surge in appointments as a result of garden related back strains and shoulder injuries. Lifting pots and starting the lawn mower are classic injuries along with the overuse of pruning and reaching overhead with hedge trimmers.

Read more
Are you due a check-up?
Are you due a check-up?

Think back to the last time you booked an appointment with us or another healthcare professional. Were you in pain? Were you in need of help fast? Did you have an event, such as sport, travel or holiday you needed to be feeling fresh and fit for? Were you hoping for a quick fix?

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Look UP  👀
Look UP 👀

Do you constantly look at the ground when you’re walking (or running)? Now that we are all heading out to enjoy the warmer, longer days, it is worth checking in with how you are moving.

Here are 7 tips to reduce the impact of walking or running on the back, hips, knees and pelvic floor…

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Prepare yourself for Spring
Prepare yourself for Spring

A warmth in the air has an irresistible pull - suddenly the garden needs sprucing up after winter, or the tennis courts have dried up enough for a proper game, or a long hike planned after a long time spent indoors. All fantastic to do, but if you haven’t done anything physical since October, it can be quite a shock to the unsuspecting body.

Read more
February doesn’t have to be the ‘slump month’
February doesn’t have to be the ‘slump month’

Feeling a bit down in the dumps? Has your motivation for your resolutions run out? Coughs and colds taking their strain, or just feeling the cumulative effect of damp, cold, short days? February can be a challenging month for us, hence it’s often referred to as the ‘slump month’. It doesn’t have to be like this, lets shake things up and put the thrill back into the month of love!

 

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Roberto's nuggets of wisdom on recovery
Roberto's nuggets of wisdom on recovery

As some of you may be aware if you have seen me in clinic, I am crazy about football but unfortunately I tore my ACL just over 2 years ago. I tried to manage it as best as I could but after 3 relapses where my knee kept giving way during exercise I had an MRI and met with a knee consultant. And so I booked my surgery…for a few days before the start of the World Cup so I could recover whilst watching every minute of football…obviously. 

Read more
The pelvic tilt explained…
The pelvic tilt explained…

Practitioners recommend the pelvic tilt when your lower back hurts, as the tilting activates the deeper abdominal muscles so that the lower back muscles don’t have to take as much strain - so they relax. The tilt can be done in standing, or as a small Cat Stretch on hands and knees, but the safest way, which also gives the most feedback - via the floor - is a basic pelvic tilt when lying on your back.

Read more
Movember - whatever you grow will save a Bro!
Movember - whatever you grow will save a Bro!

In 2003, two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, discuss recent fashion trends and the sharp decline of the moustache. Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer awareness, they decide to make the campaign about men’s health and aim to fundraise for a prostate cancer charity. The 1st Movember has 30 guys willing to take up the challenge. By 2021 there are 6.8m Mo bros and Mo Sisters involved.

Read more
All about the bones
All about the bones

When was the last time you thought about your bone health? The chances are that it’s not something you often think about, especially if you’re young. But bone health is something you should pay attention to. Whether you’re 17 or 70, eating the right foods, doing bone strengthening exercise, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D, will all increase your bone density and minimise bone loss.

Read more
Taking Women’s Health Osteopathy to Kenya
Taking Women’s Health Osteopathy to Kenya

We work in many different areas, but in particular, we focus on the Maasai girls as they are still subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). We provide education within the Maasai communities, a rescue home for those fleeing FGM, and free healthcare for those suffering the aftermath.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Tour de Test special. What’s the difference between sports massage and relaxation massage?
Tour de Test special. What’s the difference between sports massage and relaxation massage?

The Tour de Test Valley was held on a fabulously sunny and autumnal day a couple of Saturdays ago near Grateley. It was their 10th, the biggest (with over 153 cyclists young and old) and best event yet. They have raised over £40,000 for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably - a mental health charity) and still counting. For a £10 donation to charity, Tracey and Sarah from the SOP team gave sports massages to the tired legs, shoulders and backs of many grateful cyclists throughout the day.

Read more
Can Pilates help with my aches and pains?
Can Pilates help with my aches and pains?

When the body hurts, it can be hard to motivate yourself to add on exercise. What if it starts hurting more?

Pilates is a way of aligning the body, so that muscles and ligaments are moved at optimum length and strength around a joint, or along the spine. This means that with Pilates, your body gets used moving in a more flowing and flexible way.

Pilates exercises can be adapted to start at any level, added on to an already existing exercise schedule, or as the first baby steps towards moving with confidence…

Read more
Movement Ecology
Movement Ecology

With Back Care Awareness Week around the corner, is it time we take a look beyond our symptoms and at what might actually be at the root cause of all our aches and pains?

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Football is back…and so are the injuries!
Football is back…and so are the injuries!

The new football season is finally back after what seems like a long 3 months…luckily we had the joy and success of the Women’s Euro’s to grip the nation! We are now 2 games into the new premier league season and already we have seen some high profile injuries, so what can we do to try prevent such injuries ourselves?

Read more
Where is my Hip Joint?
Where is my Hip Joint?

I regularly see patients complaining that they have hip pain and pointing to their sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and then other’s pointing at their hip joint saying that they have pelvic pain. It is confusing because most people don’t realise that they have joints in their pelvis and unless you’ve sat in long lengthy university anatomy lectures it’s not obvious at all. Have a look on the diagram then read on!

Read more
My Great Escape
My Great Escape

As a child I loved playing in the dirt and climbing trees so I guess the natural transition was to engage in nature and then gardening. I also love being outside so not having enough to do with work and my sports, I decided seven years ago to take on an allotment.

Read more
The Healing Power of Community
The Healing Power of Community

Tomorrow I will be teaching the last class of my current Womo women’s health course, and again what has delighted me the most on this, and every course I have taught so far, is the incredible support, compassion and friendship that have come out of them.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
How can Tracey help irritable babies?
How can Tracey help irritable babies?

There is no quick or simple answer but let’s start with the basics. Precious cuddles time, the ‘skin to skin’ time for bonding - this contact releases oxytocin known as the 'love or bonding hormone'. It helps in many ways in which to comfort both mum/dad and baby and results in less crying and sleep. This also stimulates the release of other feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, while reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine.

Read more
Stress solutions
Stress solutions

April is Stress Awareness month, and when barely a day goes by without a sense of worry, stress, pressure or anxiety at the moment, I felt this was a timely topic to write about.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Homeopathy for hayfever
Homeopathy for hayfever

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen (the allergen) which can ruin the seasonal pleasure of spring and summer for severe sufferers, causing distressing and debilitating symptoms, or may be just a mild irritation for others. Dr Gill Pearson explains how homeopathy can help.

Read more
THE SOP POST March 2022
THE SOP POST March 2022

Finally, Spring is creeping in little by little. More birds singing, a few daffodils springing up in the verges and the sun, when it does shine, definitely has some warmth to it (through the kitchen window at least)!

And yet with events of the last ten days, our yearning for the grey skies of the last month to be replaced by Spring has perhaps paled into insignificance while we simply count our blessings for the basics in life, such as food and shelter.

Read more
How can I help you? I don’t know, my wife sent me!
How can I help you? I don’t know, my wife sent me!

It is often said that men, for some reason, do not seem to look after their health as well as women. Wives can become frustrated with their husbands because they prolong seeing their osteopath or other health care professional. They put up with the pain! Or they seek help reactively to pain rather than trying to prevent it. Nicola has written an article about osteopathy and how early intervention with aches and pains can help in the long run.

Read more
Why do we love sleep so much and how can the position we lie in make a difference?
Why do we love sleep so much and how can the position we lie in make a difference?

Because osteopaths look at the body as whole when treating, making us great practitioners, sleep patterns often come up in case history questioning. This is because lifestyle factors have such an important role to play in the healing process.

We use our sleep time to recover and repair. Our immune system strengthens, allowing us to fight off viruses and bacteria, our brain function increases meaning that we suffer from less depression and lack of motivation, and we release hormones that build and strengthen muscle. We basically reboot!

Read more
THE SOP POST Feb 2022
THE SOP POST Feb 2022

✍ With the Womo women's health course in full swing and having recently been so focused on the girls, this month it’s all about the guys!

Statistically, men are less likely to lead healthy lives, and are more likely to smoke, drink and have heart and obesity related conditions. 1 in 5 will die before the age of 65. Fortunately men’s health is increasingly in the spot light, and awareness is being driven through the media with events such as Movember, International Men’s Day and Men’s Health Week.

Read more
THE SOP POST Jan 2022
THE SOP POST Jan 2022

Wow! It's January 2022. A very happy new year to you! Let's look ahead to what's in store for us in 2022. First there is the return of WOMO. Looking further ahead and in keeping with with looking after "you" at our core, we'll continue to have monthly newsletters packed full of health tips but they'll take on a new format aiming to answer your questions each month. See the blog for full details but here's a quick synopsis.

Read more
What the foot
What the foot

The humble foot, most often encased in tight little shoe coffins, needs to be mobilised, strengthened and utilised in much the same way we allow and prioritise the freedom of movement in our hands.

Read on to find out corrective exercises and environment changes to support your feet…

Read more
By Emma Wightman
‘New Year, new me?’ - Top tips for staying active after January
‘New Year, new me?’ - Top tips for staying active after January

We all start the New Year with new goals that we want to achieve in the coming year and we usually do well until February and March come around and things start to go back to how they were before. Those visits to the gym can become less and less frequent and you start to struggle for motivation. So what can you do to keep on the right track? Here are some little tips and tricks…

Read more
Six Top Tips for Mens Health
Six Top Tips for Mens Health

Top Tip Number 1: Check your bits. Regularly check your testicles for lumps and bumps and stay alert to any changes in bowel function, urination, erection or ejaculation. Night time urination and ‘stop-start’ pee could be a sign of an enlarged prostate. But the good news is that ejaculating a couple of times a week helps reduce prostate cancer and stress!

Read more
By Emma Wightman
2022: It's all about you
2022: It's all about you

The more you understand about yourself and your body and the more knowledge you have, the more empowered you will feel about making decisions about your health and the care you need.

You ask, we answer!

Read more
By Emma Wightman
The Pelvic Floor Diet
The Pelvic Floor Diet

The pelvic floor diet is more a way of living, than a diet, quick fix or any form of restriction. But it certainly is possible to eat in a way that supports your pelvic health. Here’s how…

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Stillness
Stillness

Appreciating the moments on my way; I enjoy being outdoors walking, cycling and all the amazing displays of the seasons. This Autumn has shown me great beauty and appreciation for natures’ wonders.

Read more
Breathe for 3 minutes
Breathe for 3 minutes

It takes just 3 minutes of slow, mindful breathing to switch our body from the sympathetic state of fight or flight, into our parasympathetic state of rest and digest. Read more to find out how

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Where's your head at?
Where's your head at?

For every inch the head moves forward of its midline position, the body has to bear an additional 4.5kg of force. That could be up to 19kg! Read on to find out how to fix your alignment!

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Pelvic Floor under Pressure?
Pelvic Floor under Pressure?

Leaking urine when lifting, jumping, sneezing, walking and running is a sign of leaking pressure.
If the balance of the head on the neck is lost, the control of the pressure system throughout the whole body is lost.
Only when we move away from just performing Kegel’s (pelvic floor exercises) and consider the bigger picture, is it possible to really help women long term with their pelvic health.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Change of season
Change of season

Change is at the heart of Psychotherapy and as the Summer drifts out of view and the scent of Autumn draws closer, I always find myself wondering about change. How do we bring about change and what stops us from changing?

Read more
Respiratory Reflexology
Respiratory Reflexology

The chest is an incredibly important part of the body; it is the seat of the heart and the lung and many of us ignore the health of these organs and put them under increasing pressure by soldiering on when we have a respiratory infection, not exercising adequately and engaging in bad habits such as smoking and vaping. We are also constantly exposed to environmental toxins, bacteria, viruses and moulds.

Read more
And breathe.... September health plan kickstart
And breathe.... September health plan kickstart

I have loved the long days, late evenings and having all my kids, their friends, and friends of friends… buzzing around, and it has been a very happy chaotic summer, but I am now in need of catching my breath and refocussing.

I have always found September is a much better month to kickstart a new health plan than January.

Read more to find out how to kickstart your September health plans

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Homeopathy for Hayfever
Homeopathy for Hayfever

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen (the allergen) which can ruin the seasonal pleasure of spring and summer for severe sufferers, causing distressing and debilitating symptoms, or maybe just a mild irritation for others. But homeopathy can help.

Read more
Pelvic Health - Beyond Kegel's
Pelvic Health - Beyond Kegel's

Since qualifying as a Women’s Health Osteopath last year, I have had the privilege to work with many women suffering with a wide range of women’s health related issues. I have experienced great joy along with my clients, to see their pelvic health transforming and their lives changing as a result of applying the osteopathic approach to their concerns.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Benefits of floor sitting
Benefits of floor sitting

As the days start to shorten and we begin to spend more time indoors curled up on the sofa with family, friends, or with a book, phone or TV to entertain us, it is still possible to strengthen and mobilise our bodies.

Swapping the sofa or chair for the floor is a simple solution for adding more movement to your day.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Diastasis Recti - a lifestyle issue
Diastasis Recti - a lifestyle issue

Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation or tummy gap) is very common after pregnancy, in over-weight men and occasionally in athletes. It is not a tearing of the abdominal muscles, but a stretching of the fascia (linea alba) in-between them. This is due to forces either internally or externally stretching or pulling the rectus abdominal muscle apart.

Read more
Garden Circuits for Garden Athletes
Garden Circuits for Garden Athletes

If like me you’re a Lockdown gardening newbie, or you’re a green fingered expert, these tips on staying injury free as you tend to your plants are essential.

I like to think of this approach to gardening as ‘garden circuits’ as it helps to get you in the right frame of mind before you even start. Gardening can vary from a light activity to some heavy and demanding movements, and getting into the mindset of preparing for a workout can really help reduce the injuries that often bring clients to my door.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
The pelvic-floor diet
The pelvic-floor diet

Is it possible to have such a thing? I don’t like the implications associated with diets, so this is more a way of living, than a quick fix or restriction. But it certainly is possible to eat in a way that supports your pelvic health. Here’s how.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone

We have it pretty good these days. Most of us don’t have to hunt, gather or even prepare our food anymore. We can travel without using our legs, we can open a door without using our hands, we can be entertained without moving a single body part.

We are rapidly losing our innate movement patterns of squatting, hip hinging, pushing, pulling, twisting, climbing, walking and running. We are becoming scared to even try these movements, let alone add a load, for fear of pain or injury.

Read more
By Emma Wightman
Take the load off your pelvic floor
Take the load off your pelvic floor

When the pelvic floor is weak, dysfunctional and a bit leaky, the go-to solution is usually to try to strengthen it from below, ie. lifting the pelvic floor with exercises.

This is often not enough as it doesn’t address the load coming down from above. The pressure from the organs above continues to add to the dysfunction and can result in prolapse.

We are obviously designed to carry our organs in our pelvis on the pelvic floor, so why do they get so ‘heavy’ and cause leaking and prolapse?

Read more
Why is it so important we step outside our comfort zones?
Why is it so important we step outside our comfort zones?

Being in our comfort zone is well, comfortable. It’s a place where your activities fit a routine that minimizes stress and risk. So it’s tempting to stay there, especially if it’s resulting in a steady and consistent performance.

But what if stepping out creates the perfect opportunity to improve your performance, to feel proud of yourself and to feel the buzz of achievement?

Read more
7 Reasons why massages keep you healthy
7 Reasons why massages keep you healthy

When the body is tense and under stress it produces unhealthy levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to weight gain, sleeplessness, digestive problems and headaches. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the body.

Come and see our Massage and Reflexology practitioner Sarah Sellick.  She is in the practice every Thursday…

Read more
Breathtaking
Breathtaking

There’s been a little buzz on our Facebook page recently over a clip we posted in April. It was simply an MRI image of a person breathing, but it has reached nearly a million people and been shared thousands of times.

The way you breath is fundamental to the health of your organs, and it is often the first mechanism to be affected in times of pain, stress and anxiety. Read on to understand why, its wide reaching effects, and practical advice on correct breathing mechanics and exercises.

Read more
TeamSOP in Kenya 2017
TeamSOP in Kenya 2017

Having just returned from another hugely successful humanitarian trip I’m now trying to put my experiences into words.

We saw 1500 patients in 2 weeks, sometimes treating up to 350 patients in a day. Read on to find out about the places we visited and some of the incredible patients we treated.

Read more
TeamSOP on a humanitarian mission to Kenya
TeamSOP on a humanitarian mission to Kenya

Emma, Tracey and Joe will be travelling out to Kenya in November to work for the Divinity Foundation, providing humanitarian aid to women and children living in some of the most poor and remote regions of the country.

Read on to find out about thier work providing healthcare, protection and education for girls at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Read more
The Myth of Core Stability: Part 1
The Myth of Core Stability: Part 1

What are you trying to achieve when you plank or crunch? Do you think your body or back or core is unstable?

No test has ever shown the spine is unstable, or how 'increasing stability' will reduce pain.

We need to think far more carefully about the language we use and the ratioanle behind the approaches we choose.

Read more
You're not as broken as you think
You're not as broken as you think

You aren’t fragile. You are strong. If you can take a step back and look at all the good your body is doing, I guarantee you, it will far out weigh the bad. 

Pain and inflammation is a necessary part of healing. Trust your body and what it is telling you, it is working hard all by itself to get you pain-free again.

Read more
Yoga for Healthy Lower Back Course
Yoga for Healthy Lower Back Course

Our friends at Studio Yoga, Houghton are running their next course on Monday 30th January. 
Best practise for the management of low back pain is for an integrated approach, offering a package of care, including Osteopathy, exercise like Yoga, and medication when necessary. Read on for all the details.

Read more
Strictly Foam Rolling
Strictly Foam Rolling

Strictly Come Dancing star, Laura Whitmore, recently posted a photo on Instagram of her injured ankle, with tape and a foam roller. 

Foam rolling is now a popular method of self-massage, but there are limitations and dangers to indiscriminately rolling your muscles.

Joe Batey, Sports Osteo, gives you the low down on Foam Rolling and how to avoid injuring yourself.

Read more
Shopping Trolley wheelies
Shopping Trolley wheelies

Who says you shouldn’t do them once you’re over the age of 10? I was ticked off as I sailed down aisle nine, wind in my hair, washing powder and tissues flying past me. A tap on the shoulder ‘Don’t you think you should stop doing that?’ ‘Never,’ I cried as I whizzed up aisle ten!

Remember, our bodies were created to move. If we don't keep our bodies moving, there is much we stand to lose.

Read more