UCLan PaST adds more experience to the team

New staff member David Rhodes brings a wealth of experience to the UCLan PaST team.

Following a successful career as a secondary school PE Teacher and a Head of Department, David retrained in Sports Therapy in 2008, enrolling onto the MSc programme at UCLan.

He subsequently spent four years as a Senior Lecturer at Edge Hill University and has worked in a variety of elite, professional and semi-professional sports including football, rugby league and boxing.

David has also worked within private practice treating a variety of patients from sedentary individuals, recreational sports people and professional athletes.

He has a keen research interest in preventative strategies, conditioning and rehabilitation in sport.

In 2012 he enrolled to complete a PhD, titled Localised and Soccer Specific Fatigue and the 72 hour Temporal Pattern, which he is hoping to complete in 2016. David is a full member of the Society of Sports Therapy, GTC member and a HEA fellow.

Student campaign gets national platform

UCLan PaST students showcased their #GrabYourGran initiative at a prestigious national conference.

The group took part in Physiotherapy 15 at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool, a two-day event that featured more than 250 speakers and was a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness of the campaign.

#GrabYourGran has already flourished on social media, with players from Wigan Warriors RFLC, England Rugby Union and the Chief Executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) all latching onto the idea.

To find out more about #GrabYourGran please click here.

UCLan hosts showpiece international event

UCLan teamed up with the University of Manchester during September to host a major Physiotherapy research event.

The International Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) Research Retreat and Clinical Symposium saw world leading experts gather in the North West to discuss their latest research findings and review the science around the condition.

PFP is the number one injury in runners and one of the most common orthopaedic problems seen by clinicians. The event was an opportunity to inspire new collaborations and ensure future research remains at the cutting edge in informing clinical practice.

UCLan's Professor James Selfe organised the four-day conference in conjunction with Dr Michael Callaghan from the University of Manchester.

He commented: "We were delighted to host the Symposium which summarised where we are today and highlighted where we are heading over the next few years.

"These are interesting times for researchers and clinicians interested in Patellofemoral Pain, as we continue to advance our knowledge and develop greater research evidence to support our clinical practice.

"The events were a tremendous success. Everyone worked really hard at the Retreat to develop the consensus statements which will be published in BJSM early next year.

"The Clinical Symposium was unique in the UK with some of the world leaders sharing their expertise to help improve patient outcomes. Everyone engaged very well and we were pleased to see high level debate and questioning."

Son's care sparks career change for Mum

A Bolton mother who was inspired to change career path after seeing the care her disabled son received has graduated with a physiotherapy degree from UCLan.

Ellen Welsby's seven-year-old son Thomas suffers from cerebral palsy and requires regular care and support from medical professionals.

It was this first-hand experience which made her swap from a life as a dental nurse to a physiotherapist. The former Bolton Community College student said: "It was my son's care that first sparked my interest in physiotherapy.

"Seeing the positive effects his treatment had on his quality of life inspired me to want to do the same for others.

"I've always enjoyed working with people as I previously worked as a dental nurse in a local practice, but as soon as my son was old enough to begin full-time education I decided it was time to enrol on the college access course which would enable me to apply to do a physiotherapy degree.

"I feel over the moon to be graduating and I'm very proud of myself. Caring for Thomas means it's been somewhat difficult at times to keep up with my studies, but I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and my tutors. They've been really understanding.

"The thing I've enjoyed the most is the opportunity to learn in a practical way, spending time with real patients and staff in a variety of clinical settings has really prepared me to do my job well."

Ellen will now start a new chapter in her working life after securing a physiotherapist position at East Lancashire Health Trust.

Graduate lights up his career prospects

A UCLan PaST graduate is celebrating after bouncing back in style from the disappointment of losing his job.

Stephen Finlay, from County Wicklow, graduated top of his physiotherapy class and received the Delsys Prize for Academic Excellence, which he collected during UCLan's week of graduation ceremonies.

Ireland's economic downturn meant Stephen was made redundant shortly after he completed his electricians' apprenticeship, which convinced him to explore other career opportunities.

He said: "I looked into physiotherapy and decided it was what I wanted to do. The human body has always interested me and I felt I was good with people, which is important in this job.

"I enjoyed being an electrician. I was making good money and planning to go and work in Australia, but losing my job made me reassess my goals.

"With one career already under his belt, Stephen wanted to qualify as a physio as quickly as possible. Before joining our programme he spent three years at Sallynoggin College, Dublin, where he trained as a fitness instructor. The 28-year-old admits it's a relief to finally graduate.

"It's been a long time in the making, so I'm delighted to be graduating and I'm humbled to have won the Delsys Prize," said Stephen. "I wanted to start the course as soon as I lost my job, but looking back I think that would have been catastrophic because I learnt a lot at college.

"They taught me so much about the fundamentals of the anatomy of the body, and that meant I hit the ground running when I started University."

Stephen hopes to run his own private practice one day and is still exploring the opportunity of moving to Australia, but for now wants to gain as much experience as possible in an NHS setting.

"Now I've qualified I'm looking forward to having more of a free role so that my personality and style of physiotherapy can really come across," he said.

"I've registered as a locum and plan to spend the next year gaining experience before I decide what route within physiotherapy I want to take. The good news is I can work anywhere in the world, so I've got options."

UCLan welcomes international researchers

Our Allied Health Research unit (AHRu) has welcomed visiting researchers from Germany to Preston for the launch of a new collaborative partnership.

Professor Kerstin Bilda and Dr Juliane Mühlhaus from University of Applied Sciences Bochum were introduced to international researchers from Czech Republic, Brazil and Korea who are currently working on projects at UCLan.

The pair met with the AHRu's Professor James Selfe and Dr Hazel Roddam to discuss future research links between the two institutions.

Osteoporosis & Physiotherapy

As you age your bones naturally lose density, but osteoporosis can cause bones to become porous and brittle, which can increase risk of fracture.

This is mainly seen in people over the age of 50 and is particularly common in post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis is mainly dependent on gender, genetics and age as well as further risk factors including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and inactivity.

There are no early signs or symptoms to determine whether you have osteoporosis, and it is typically not diagnosed until there has been enough bone loss for a fracture to occur. The most common areas of fracture are the hip, vertebrae, pelvis, tibia, radius, and humerus.

If you have no history of injuries or falls, continuous mild to severe back pain may be a concern and could potentially mean you are developing osteoporosis.

Risk factors for Osteoporosis

• Eating disorders
• Cancer and cancer treatments
• Chronic renal failure
• Early onset menopause
• Rheumatic diseases
• Chronic pulmonary disease
• Thyroid problems
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Hepatitis

If a fracture occurs physiotherapy can help with the healing process. A physiotherapist will assess the problem and develop a specific physiotherapy treatment to strengthen your muscles and restore mobility.

Exercises include:

• Weight-bearing - walking or load-bearing activities to improve bone density
• Flexibility
• Strengthening – weights or resistance bands used at targeted muscle areas
• Postural – improved posture reduces the risk for falls
• Balance

The exercises must be continued even after the fracture has healed, with the main aim being to restore stamina of the muscles.

At the UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic your Chartered Physiotherapist will treat areas requiring strengthening, teach you the necessary techniques and give you appropriate advice.

Should you need more specialist help, your physiotherapist will liaise with your doctor to ensure that you are referred for appropriate treatment.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Graduate bags life-changing Canadian scholarship

UCLan Sports Therapy graduate Sheena Davis has boosted her future career prospects after securing a prestigious internship opportunity in Canada.

Sheena's efforts on her course have resulted in her being awarded The Society of Sports Therapists Student Travelling Scholarship 2015.

She will spend a month with the superb Athletic Therapy team at the University of Windsor, followed by a further two weeks of unmissable trips, taking in another top sports clinic and some of Canada's leading sports teams.

This will include shadowing the sports therapy team at Windsor Spitfires Ice Hockey Club and visiting the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball organisation.

Sheena commented: "The interview was difficult but I felt well prepared as I pretty much over prepare for anything important - working hard has always been my forte.

"When I first joined UCLan I wasn't even sure whether Sports Therapy was the course for me. I feel I've grown in confidence throughout my time at the university and it has definitely helped me develop as a Sports Therapist.

"The lecturers have supported me throughout, giving me numerous opportunities to develop and learn on placements and massage events. I'd like to thank everyone who taught me as I've learned so much from each of them."

Professor Graham Smith, Chairman of The Society of Sports Therapists, added: "Sheena's interview was outstanding and the decision to select her was unanimous. She was a credit to UCLan and the Sports Therapy programme."

Students boost skills at Preston Armed Forces Day

UCLan Sports Therapy undergraduates put their skills to the test as they supported one of Preston's biggest events of the year.

Huge crowds descended on the city for the Preston Armed Forces Day celebrations, which featured a variety of activities, displays and entertainment.

The event also coincided with the Kings Royal Hussars homecoming parade, a Preston regiment celebrating their 300 year anniversary.

Supervised by Lecturer Rob Hamilton, the students spent the day working with competitors at the Preston Strongman event, ensuring they recovered quickly from the stresses and strains of the contest.

Our Division has supported numerous events this summer, including the Cross Bay charity challenge and Blackpool's Strongest Man.

Rob said the experiences gained were invaluable to the students' learning experience: "It was another fantastic day to practise and perfect techniques on these giant athletes.

"There was a strong ask for soft tissue therapy coupled with a number of sport related pulls and sprains, which allowed the students to further develop their skills."

One of the group, Obed Attah, has already built up an impressive CV during the course of his studies, including working with Preston North End Women FC and the Rugby Football Union.

He commented: "Having the opportunity to massage some of the strongest guys in the North West has improved my clinical handling and I've developed new skills for my final year. Rob supported us throughout the whole day, showing us techniques he's developed as a physio over the years."

To view a selection of images from the event please click here. For more information about the UCLan Sports Therapy course please click here.

Fight the Fat!

Childhood obesity is a growing problem, with reports from the Health and Social Care Information Centre showing that 9.5% of 4-5 year olds are overweight or obese, increasing to 19.1% by the time children leave primary school.

Obesity is measured by combining height and weight to determine a person's Body Mass Index (BMI). A healthy BMI is in the range of 18.5 to 24.9, with a BMI of 30 or over being classed as obese.

However there are exceptions to the rule, such as athletes who have a higher percentage of muscle mass and would weigh more due to muscle weighing twice as much as fat.

There are two important changes that can be made to prevent and manage obesity: optimal nutrition, and physical activity.

Nutrition

A healthy diet is essential for tackling obesity and promoting weight loss. Healthy eating for children is different to the diet suggested for adults, as children require large amounts of calories and nutrients to meet their energy needs, and should not be on a low calorie, low fat and high fibre diet.

Healthy eating is often encouraged by the use of an 'eat well plate', which demonstrates appropriate portion sizes for each of the 5 food groups:

• Bread, cereal, and potatoes
• Fruit and vegetables
• Meat and fish
• Milk and dairy foods
• Sugary and fatty foods

Physical activity

This is essential to weight control. Exercise must be combined with reduced food intake, whilst activity levels should increase gradually and be tailored individually to each person.

It is recommended that children should be active for at least 60 minutes every day, but ideally should participate in some form of physical activity for a few hours each day. It is also advised that children do intense physical activity three days a week.

Childhood obesity can lead to various musculoskeletal conditions that may limit a child's ability to take part in physical activities. It is also detrimental to motor skill performance, including coordination, balance, running speed and agility, and strength.

As a child gets older these differences become more noticeable, suggesting it is necessary to focus on motor skill development from an early age to encourage overweight and obese children to be physically active.

Forms of physical activity include sports such as Football, Netball, Swimming and Tennis. Other useful activities include Cycling, Dancing, Skipping and Gardening.

UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic provides nutritional and dietary consultancy, can create tailor-made plans for cardiovascular rehabilitation, and runs 'back to fitness' classes from £10 per person.

The Clinic is run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists and is recognised by all major private health companies.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Cross Bay Challenge event boosts students' skills

Our programme offers undergraduates many opportunities to develop their skills in a 'real-world' environment.

A group of Sports Therapy students recently travelled to Cumbria to support competitors at the Cross Bay Challenge charity fundraising event.

Tom Khan, Regan Fox, Melissa Clive and Ashleigh Careless provided post-event massage to participants, with all funds raised going to CancerCare - an independent charity dedicated to helping North Lancashire & South Lakeland families affected by cancer and other life-limiting conditions.

The event featured a half marathon, family walk and fatbike cycle challenge, and gave our students the chance to treat a variety of people and gain valuable hands-on experience.

For more information about CancerCare please click here.

Are You Wimbledon Ready?

Tennis is a great form of exercise, requiring full body participation and good hand-eye coordination.

Despite the benefits of tennis, it puts a lot of strain on the body through repetitive movements, leading to various injuries through overuse and lack of conditioning of the muscles.

However, injuries can be avoided through proper technique and training routines.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is often caused by over use of the wrist extensor muscles through improper backhand technique and poor body positioning.

To avoid tennis elbow, it is important to select the correct racquet and maintain a good grip size. High string tension and smaller racquets can lead to tennis elbow as the forearm muscles need to exert more force. The grip should be a good size and can be determined by measuring the distance from the crease of your palm to the tip of the ring finger.

Tennis elbow is treated by rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The condition can become chronic but can be treated by decreasing playing time, tennis elbow supports, and rehabilitation through constant repetition of simple exercises, increasing in difficulty as strength increases.

However, if these methods of treatment do not work, injection therapy may be considered or referral for an orthopaedic surgeon's review.

Wrist strain

To prevent wrist strain it is important to keep a good grip position, with the racquet forming an 'L' position with the forearm.

Rotator cuff injury

The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons linking the shoulder blade to the humerus, enabling the shoulder to move in many different directions. Overuse of these muscles and tendons can lead to micro-damage within the tendons or small tears.

Rotator cuff injuries are often caused by excessive overhead serving, which occurs if you hold your arm at a 90 degree angle from your side whilst serving. If the angle is increased to ideally 135 degrees, your chance of rotator cuff injury is greatly reduced.

This injury is treated with rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. If symptoms continue after a week of treatment or when you return to playing, it is important to see a therapist and modify your technique to help prevent recurrence.

Back pain

Although back injuries are very common in all sports, they can be common in tennis due to hard ground or volume of training/playing. The exaggerated arched posture for service strokes causes stress to the small joints and soft tissues of the spine, and is the cause of back pain. Strengthening the abdominal and back muscles can minimise back pain and increase flexibility.

Knee pain

Knee pain is common in tennis players, particularly front knee pain, due to either the softening of the cartilage of the patella, or tendinitis. Treatment for this involves the RICE method and then a progressive rehabilitation plan to start loading the tissue to return to sport.

Some people use braces on ankles and knees for the feeling of comfort and support. If you are unsure if this is appropriate for you please discuss with your Physiotherapist.

Ankle sprains

Risk of ankle sprains can be minimised by wearing appropriate shoes designed specifically for tennis that provide substantial support for the foot. The RICE method is used for 24 to 36 hours to treat ankle sprains, with an appropriate rehabilitation after the injury to make sure that the ankle returns to its pre-injured level and reduces any long term effects.

All injuries should be treated by a trained, registered professional. UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic can help if you are struggling with an injury or recurring pain. The Clinic is run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists and we is recognised by all major private health companies.

For more details please click here or Telephone 01772 894902.

UCLan students support charity strongman event

Four UCLan Sports Therapy students gained valuable industry experience as some of the UK's largest athletes battled to be crowned Blackpool's Strongest Man.

The quartet played a key role in offering soft tissue therapy support to competitors who had gathered in the resort to take part in a series of exciting challenges.

Lecturer Rob Hamilton said it was a fantastic opportunity to consolidate their hands-on therapy skills in a very unique environment.

"The event helped the students hone their handling skills and fine tune their techniques on a very different body type than they had previously encountered," said Rob.

"The feedback from the athletes was second to none, praising the benefits they experienced and how much it helped them to perform to their best ability."

Organised by the Lancashire-based Our Local Heroes Foundation charity, the event formed part of Blackpool's Armed Forces Week celebrations.

After a gruelling day of tests including a truck pull and a car deadlift, Dale Peters was crowned champion with Ryan England runner-up and Jon Bleach in third.

Student Nicole Benson said working at the event was an enjoyable experience: "Massaging such muscular athletes was a lot different to what I've done during my first year. It's given me more much more confidence in my skills and I was really pleased to receive positive feedback about my work."

Andrew Ball added: "The event was an excellent learning experience for me. I picked up different techniques from the other therapists and I feel this will be of big benefit to me when I progress onto my second year."

To view a selection of pictures from the event please click here.

Zambia trip a life-changing experience

Our programmes provide many opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience before they start their careers.

Sports Therapy student Sam Heap recently accompanied colleagues from various schools across the university to Africa as part of this year's UCLan Sport for Development Project trip.

Established in 2008 by Cliff Olsson, Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching & Development in the School of Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors, the project gives undergraduates the opportunity to study the global value and contribution sport can make towards supporting the Millennium Development Goals.

The scheme aims to actively support Sport for Development projects being delivered in some of the poorest parts of the world by agencies such as Sport in Action and Zambia-based Edusport.

Sam said the trip was an eye-opening experience: "HIV, AIDS and drug abuse is a massive issue in Africa. We had to teach and educate the children about these problems through the use of sport. It was challenging at first because of the language barrier, but with the help of other peer leaders we managed to overcome this.

"We spent the first week in a community school with three of us looking after over 200 children. Some of them were really badly behaved and it was very challenging. We later moved on to a government funded school which was more structured, but still testing.

"The trip was a big culture shock but also very life-changing for me. In the UK you can donate to charity, but to be able to actually go there and see what the problems are was an enlightening experience."

In the past few years UCLan students have raised over £10,000 towards buying basic sports equipment and supported the building of basketball courts in local rural schools in Zambia.

The project has also provided the opportunity for local voluntary sports leaders from Zambia to come to Preston and share their skills and knowledge with local community volunteers and children from local schools.

In addition to making a difference to people's lives, the trip offers students the chance to apply their skills in a different environment than they are normally exposed to. Sam said this would be a big help to her in the future.

"Going to Zambia has definitely opened my eyes to some of the opportunities that are open to me," said Sam. "Rather than just thinking I'd be working with adults, it's enhanced my skills so I can now consider working with children in sport or in other areas.

"I'd like to go back in 2016 to gain even more experience. I've been told I did well on this year's trip, so I'm hoping to return as a Team Leader. It would be great to see how the money we've raised has been spent and what changes have been made to the children's lives."

To view pictures from the trip please click here.

Stressed? Let our qualified staff help

Stress is a natural part of life that can be beneficial to your health and safety.

Stress can be triggered by numerous pressures related to everyday responsibilities, negative life events, physical illness, and traumatic stress such as disaster or a violent attack.

However, when we fail to recognise a build-up of stress in our lives and take on more than we can handle it can be detrimental to our health.

The body's natural reaction to stress

The body releases hormones and increases breathing and heart rates when reacting to stressful situation, leading to the brain receiving more oxygen and helping to cope with difficult situations in the short term.

Effects of stress on the body

Although we know that long term untreated stress can lead to anxiety and depression, stress also affects various systems within your body. Stress has a negative impact on your digestive system, muscular system, and respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Digestive

When you are stressed your liver produces extra blood sugar, which the body reabsorbs when unused. However, if you are constantly stressed, your body may not cope with the increase in blood sugar levels, leaving you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You may also experience acid reflux and heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or a stomach ache.

Muscular

Muscle tension is a by-product of stress and can become problematic, as the muscles don't have the chance to relax when the body is stressed which can lead to headaches, back and shoulder pain, and body pain. These problems can be treated with pain relief medication but to avoid long term problems it is important they are treated with physiotherapy.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular

Stress can have a significant impact upon your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. When stressed you breathe faster to distribute oxygen and blood quickly to the body in order to relax. However, if you have a health problem such as asthma or emphysema the reaction to stress can worsen the condition.

As well as rapid breathing the heart also pumps faster when stressed. Blood vessels then constrict and increase blood pressure due to stress hormones, helping with the delivery of oxygen to the brain and heart to provide greater energy.

Although temporary stress can be beneficial in the short term, chronic stress can put too much pressure on your heart, increasing risk of hypertension and heart problems. It also leaves you at higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

According to reports 43% of all adults suffer from stress related health issues, whilst up to 90% of doctor's visits are for stress-related complaints.

Physiotherapy is great for relaxing the body, having many benefits:

• Reducing muscle tension
• Decreasing tiredness
• Improving concentration span
• Decreasing blood pressure
• Reducing risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reducing pain such as headaches and chronic pain syndromes

At the UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic your Chartered Physiotherapist will treat areas of muscle tension with massage and stretches, teach you the necessary relaxation techniques and give you appropriate advice.

Should you need more specialist help, your physiotherapist will liaise with your doctor to ensure that you are referred for appropriate counselling and treatment.

To begin your journey to a stress-free life please call 01772 894902 or email us for an appointment.

New support network for researchers launched

Dr Hazel Roddam presented a workshop at the 9th CPLOL Congress of Speech and Language Therapists to launch a unique EU-wide peer support network for the profession.

The purpose of the scheme is to support research capacity building, as a key priority action for embedding evidence-based practice and helping experienced clinicians contribute to the professional evidence base.

The new network will be led by Dr Roddam, assisted by Mette Thomsen from the University of Copenhagen and UCLan PhD student Gina Carey.

This will be a two-tier peer mentoring scheme - the network leaders will mentor contacts in each country, who will then provide research skills mentorship to clinical practitioners.

Dr Roddam commented: "We were delighted that 25 individual participants from 18 countries all signed up to participate in this initiative. An initial report will be presented to CPLOL and a paper submitted for publication in the leading international peer-reviewed professional journal."

Dr Roddam is pictured above with Professor Maria Vlassopoulou from University of Athens Medical School, who is CPLOL's Vice-President for Professional Education.

Physiotherapy and Strokes

May is Action on Stroke Month, raising awareness of the risk factors associated with strokes, as well as how to spot the symptoms and treat someone who has suffered a stroke.

According to the British Heart Foundation approximately 152,000 people have a stroke each year, with 76% of stroke survivors being left with disabilities and requiring rehabilitation through physiotherapy.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden 'brain attack' that occurs when the blood flow is cut off to part of the brain (infarct), or due to bleeding within the brain (haemorrhage). Usually this is due to a blood clot. Some strokes are fatal while others cause permanent or temporary disability.

Emergency medical treatment should be sought soon after symptoms begin, as the longer a stroke remains untreated the greater the chance of brain damage and the more difficult recovery becomes.

Stroke is more common in men and in people over 55, although it can occur at any age. Risk factors include: a family history of strokes, diet, drinking alcohol, smoking and lack of exercise, although sometimes there is no obvious cause.

Action to be taken

F ace – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
A rms – can they lift both arms?
S peech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
T ime - Is critical - if you see any of these signs call 999 immediately.

Effects of a stroke

• Weakness or complete paralysis in muscles on one side of the body
• Limbs on the effected side of the body may feel heavy and numb, or sensations similar to pins and needles
• Postural issues affecting balance
• Stiff muscles on the affected side of the body

Treatment

Physiotherapy is essential for recovery from a stroke, particularly neurophysiotherapy, which treats problems that originate in the brain and therefore it is important to receive this form of therapy for at least some part of the recovery process.

The brain is incapable of replacing damaged cells with new ones after a stroke, so recovery is reliant upon the ability to reorganise the undamaged cells. This is called neuroplasticity.

Physiotherapists will often work with other specialists to treat a variety of issues, with the aim of the rehabilitation team being to make sure a patient is as active as possible, as soon as possible after a stroke to avoid issues such as stiff joints and muscle tightness.

Guidelines recommend at least 45 minutes of physiotherapy per day to strengthen muscles (as well as any other therapy required).

The sooner a stroke is treated, the survival rate increases and the chance of successful rehabilitation significantly improves. Physiotherapy is essential for recovery and should be started as soon as possible.

UCLan's Physiotherapy Clinic offers treatment for neurological issues, providing services to the general public as well as staff and students of the university, from £30 for an initial assessment and £35 for physiotherapy for stroke. They are a recognised provider of Physiotherapy services for many insurance companies including BUPA.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Research team enjoy BOB North buzz

Staff from UCLan's Allied Health Research Unit (AHRu) showcased their work at Preston's inaugural Best of Britannia (BOB) North event.

Over 3,500 people visited the pop-up department store which had set up outside of London for the very first time.

UCLan was a key sponsor of the event which took place in the historic Post Office building and Market Square in the heart of the City.

The AHRu team were joined by a variety of current and previous partner companies who helped to demonstrate a range of work relating to design for sport and rehabilitation.

These included Optifit Bra Company, who the team have been working with to conduct research into the effect of breast support garments on back pain.

CERAGEM Preston UK, who collaborated on a previous study into the effectiveness of their V3 bed for individuals with non-specific back pain, were also on hand throughout the weekend.

CERAGEM'S Julie Gyi commented: "We were proud and happy to be showcasing innovative therapy products that really do make a difference. So many visitors tried and loved the Ceragem thermo-therapeutic massage bed. There was a real buzz in the air and we had lots of fun too. Thanks to the Allied Health team for the opportunity to reach out and help even more people."

Other companies in attendance included Rophi Cushions, MDTi and Leeds-based bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks, with whom Professor Jim Richards has developed the innovative P 1.0 Trainer which is due to be released in the UK this summer.

The team also displayed a range of other products they have previously tested, including Lift Slings, Lumbacurve and many DJO Global products.

The AHRu performs applied research which includes the design and development of new products for sport and rehabilitation.

The unit works with Small Medium Enterprises (SME) and large international companies across the healthcare products, medical devices, sports and outdoor equipment sectors. Its advanced biomechanics, healthcare technology, sports and outdoor testing facilities have hosted a range of product testing.

Dr Roddam gives keynote address at showpiece event

Dr Hazel Roddam recently delivered an invited keynote address at the 2nd Baltic Congress of Speech and Language Therapists, held at the University of Šiauliai in Lithuania.

Dr Roddam also met with research partners to discuss future collaborations, with the first link up being the creation of an Erasmus+ research traineeship for a PhD student from Šiauliai who will travel to UCLan during the next academic year.

Kristian secures Everton Ladies FC role

UCLan PaST Alumni Kristian Weaver has been appointed Head of Sports Therapy and Medicine for Everton Ladies Football Club.

Kristian initially joined the club in 2014, having previously worked with Birmingham Football Academy, which was sandwiched between two periods working part-time with Everton Football Academy.

He spent three months with Everton Ladies Development squad (U21s) before the First Team Manager, Andy Spence, asked him to join his staff ahead of the new Women's Super League season.

Kristian's main duties involve working with the First Team, whilst he also oversees Sports Therapists and fellow UCLan PaST Alumni, Gemma Bamford and Kathryn Hopwood, who work with the Development Squad and Centre of Excellence players (U9-U17).

Students from our Sports Therapy programme have also joined Everton Ladies medical department this year, gaining valuable experience with all age groups across the club and travelling with the First Team and Kristian to fixtures.

To find out more about Kristian's work please click here.

Immediate recognition and treatment of head trauma

Recognising and treating head trauma quickly and efficiently can avoid lasting damage, especially in sports.

With so much focus on sports concussion, it is important that any coaching and teaching staff have the skills to recognise and immediately manage medical emergencies on the field of play.

Any form of head trauma could quickly lead to complications if left untreated or if the necessary treatment is not provided.

Conditions such as concussion, neck and head trauma and fractures can have differing and potentially fatal effects, so it is important to be treated quickly and professionally to avoid lasting damage.

Recognition

Concussion is a common temporary injury to the brain that cannot be seen on routine X-ray or scans, affecting the way a person may think and act, along with other various symptoms.

If a person is knocked out they may have concussion. A person suffering concussion may show the following symptoms:

• Easily distracted
• Confused
• Cannot remember before and/or after the injury
• Seems slower to answer questions

A player may also experience further symptoms such as:

• Headache and dizziness
• Feel dazed
• Loss or impaired vision
• Ringing in ears
• Drowsiness
• Stomach pains
• Nausea
• Poor co-ordination
• Inappropriate emotions (laughing, crying, angry)
• Feeling generally unwell

Action should be taken immediately to treat the injured person. Remove the individual from play for the remainder of the day, do not leave them alone and consider spine immobilisation if necessary. Have the player assessed by a professional therapist as soon as possible.

A coach should seek immediate assistance if any of the following symptoms are experienced:

• Drowsiness when normally awake or cannot be woken
• Increasing headache
• Weakness, numbness or decrease in co-ordination and balance
• Repeated vomiting or prolonged nausea
• Slurred speech, difficulty in speaking or understanding
• Increasing confusion, restlessness or agitation
• Clear fluid from ears or nose
• Deafness in one or both ears
• Problems with eyesight

The main element of treatment is assessment by a medical professional, rest and no exercise that could make the concussion worse.

Neck injuries

All head injuries should be treated as neck injuries unless cleared, with signs to look for including:

• Pins and needles
• Numbness
• Radiating pain
• Problems swallowing or speaking
• Altered vision and/or hearing
• Straw coloured liquid from nose/ears
• Bladder bowel dysfunction

Neck injuries should be treated with caution, slowly and with professional assistance.

UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic offers workshops focusing on head trauma, highlighting resources including the Rugby Football Union's concussion awareness scheme, HEADCASE.

The workshops focus on the conditions mentioned above, providing a comprehensive and detailed review of each condition and how it is treated.

Staffed by professional physiotherapists and sports therapists, the Clinic provides services to the general public as well as staff and students of the university. They offer competitive prices alongside evidence-based clinical excellence and exceptional facilities.

The Clinic is a recognised provider of Physiotherapy services for many insurance companies including BUPA. For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Biomechanics expert set for showpiece Asia visit

Professor Jim Richards is set to embark on an international seminar tour of five countries later this month.

The trip begins on 20 April at the Sports Medicine Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and culminates in Singapore during early May at the prestigious World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress 2015.

Professor Richards will give a keynote address at the sixth ISN International Sports Medicine and Sports Science Conference (SMSS 2015) in Kuala Lumpur.

His lecture will focus on athletic taping and bracing of the knee, and will consider their usefulness for clinical and sporting activities.

He will also lead a seminar at the Pune Rehab Course, India, which will discuss the Biomechanics of ACL injuries and preventative bracing, before attending the National Taipei University of Technology and National Taiwan University and the Hong Kong Chiropractor Foundation.

Professor Richards said: "I'm very happy to be to be giving a talk at the International Sports Medicine and Sports Science Conference. It's a great honour to be invited to be a keynote speaker at such a prestigious event.

"Attending the Pune Rehab Course is also exciting, because it's the first time there has been a dedicated day for rehabilitation. I'm really excited to continue to grow our international links, in particular with two of our collaborating Universities in Taiwan."

Professor Richards' colleagues from our Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Dr Jessie Janssen and Professor James Selfe, will join him for the final leg of the tour at the WCPT Congress.

The four-yearly event will be attended by over 3,000 delegates and has had over 2,000 papers submitted. It brings together prominent international speakers and is the world's largest, and most important, physical therapy gathering.

Student develops crisis support app

A UCLan PaST undergraduate has developed a mobile phone app which he hopes will help save lives.

Third year Physiotherapy student Patrick Shaughnessy has created TrustTalk24/7, a free app which provides help to anyone in suicide crisis or for people who are worried about a deterioration in their own mental health or of their loved ones.

Patrick came up with the idea for the app a year ago, having lost a cousin and friends to suicide. TrustTalk24/7 is split into three sections – LetsTalk, WhySoSilent and MindMyMind24/7.

LetsTalk is aimed at people in suicide crisis and who need to speak to an Accredited Counsellor immediately.

By pressing a call button on the app, a person is directly connected free of charge to a Counsellor at any time of the day when they feel the need for it.

WhySoSilent asks the user questions if they are worried about themselves or someone else. The questions relate to suicide, depression and anxiety, and will relay the relevant information or call options to the user depending on their answers.

MindMyMind24/7 delivers daily inspirational messages to the user so they can relate these to their lives and motivate themselves or someone else.

The Republic of Ireland's National Suicide Charity, Console, gave Patrick their support during the product development process and will be contactable via the app, along with The Samaritans, Aware and Bodywhys.

TrustTalk24/7 is set to be launched in Ireland during the next few weeks.

The top five physio myths busted

Despite physiotherapy being one of the most successful treatments for pain relief and injury rehabilitation, there are multiple myths surrounding the profession that could be doing more harm than good.

A Daily Mail article - 'The 5 Biggest Physio Myths Busted' - aims to resolve points that seem like common sense, but are proven to have no significant impact on your health.

The top 5 physio myths busted:

1. A specific mattress can prevent back pain

Special mattresses are not cheap and are actually seen as unnecessary by some physiotherapists.

However, research conducted by The National Sleep Foundation, as well as a study by Professors at Duke University, has shown that the type of mattress you sleep on can impact whether you get a good night's sleep and also on your back.

The study demonstrated that the amount of mattress support provided (soft, medium, firm) was linked to a good night's sleep and pain.

2. Stretching before & after exercise can prevent injury & soreness

There is also no evidence that stretching before and after exercise makes any difference in terms of preventing injuries and soreness in the muscles.

However, other measures can be taken that are more effective than stretching (which can actually reduce performance), such as active warm-ups, sport specific exercise and agility training.

3. If you have whiplash you should wear a neck brace

When it comes to treating whiplash, a neck brace is not the way to cure it. Neck braces are only completely necessary if you've suffered a spinal fracture, but unless there is a fracture a neck brace will do more harm than good.

Making sure that you remain active will help cure whiplash and prevent the long term problems that may occur from unnecessarily wearing a neck brace, such as joint stiffness, weakened neck muscles and hypersensitivity of neck joints, ligaments and muscles.

4. Ultrasound for ankle sprains

There is limiting evidence supporting the use of ultrasound for ankle sprains within a clinical environment. There is some evidence within a laboratory setting that ultrasound improves healing of ligament tissue.

5. Physiotherapy hurts

Finally, the myth that physiotherapy is more painful than treatments performed by chiropractors and osteopaths. This is not true. Depending on the injury, any treatment performed may be more painful than others.

Physiotherapy can incorporate different treatments including massage, manual therapy, acupuncture and exercise therapy. None are designed specifically to cause pain although there may be some discomfort depending on condition. If you have any concerns or issues please do not hesitate to speak to your physiotherapist.

All injuries should be treated by a trained, registered professional. If you're struggling with an injury or recurring pain, please come along to the UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic for an assessment.

The Clinic is run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists and is recognised by all major private health companies. For more details please click here or Tel: 01772 894902.

Research Fellow flies solo

A Research Fellow based in our Allied Health Professions Research Unit has been invited to present at a prestigious sports science conference.

Dr Steven Lindley will travel to Montenegro in early April for the 12th International Scientific Conference and 11th annual Congress of the Montenegrin Sports Academy.

The event will focus on current themes from all areas of sports science and sports medicine.

These include social sciences and humanities; physiology and sports medicine; and biomechanics and neuromuscular, all of which will offer delegates a forum for the latest research and applied insight into the respective disciplines.

Dr Lindley has spent several years investigating musculoskeletal conditions and the efficacy of various clinical and training interventions.

More recently he completed his doctoral work investigating the neuromuscular, biomechanical and clinical factors within Patellofemoral Pain; explicitly focusing on the motor unit control and joint stability strategies.

He also works as European Manager for Delsys Inc, a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of a broad portfolio of high performance Electromyography instruments.

With a background from both clinical and research neuromuscular-biomechanics, his role includes customer education and application support, comprising of individual customer training along with international workshops and lectures.

Dr Lindley commented: "This is the first time I've been invited to present alone. I've previously worked at conferences with Professor Jim Richards, but this is a great opportunity to showcase my work on a solo basis.

"My workshop will offer clear and concise information on the use and application of Surface Electromyography, which offers unique insights into the complex mosaic of the neuromuscular system.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to develop possible future research collaborations at UCLan, both with postgraduate researchers and commercial companies based worldwide."

The event takes place 2-5 April at the University of Montenegro. For more information please click here.

Repetitive strain injury: the benefits of Acupuncture

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is becoming increasingly common, with more than two thirds of workers now suffering.

This causes a collective loss of 5.4 million working days per year, costing the UK industry between £5 billion to £10 billion annually.

RSI is increasing mainly because of the use of computers and technology. However, according to Repetitive Strain Injury Action, it is unlikely there is just one single cause of RSI, as there can be a mix of contributory factors.

These include a poorly structured workstation, working for long periods without breaks, poor posture and excessive workload. Secondary factors include stress which leads to tension in the muscle tissue, and other factors such as age, general health, and even the weather.

Symptoms of RSI include:

• Pain, aching or tenderness
• Throbbing
• Numbness
• Cramp
• Weakness
• Stiffness

Tenosynovitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) are the most well-known repetitive strain injuries. Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tendon, whilst CTS leads to sufferers experiencing disabling pain with a tingling in the thumb and first two fingers after muscle tendons swell, increasing pressure on the nerves and causing pain.

There are many different forms of treatment for RSI, including painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, heat and cold packs, physiotherapy, and acupuncture.The latter is a particularly effective way to remedy RSI by releasing muscle tension and stimulating bloody flow to the affected area, relieving pain.

Acupuncture

There are two main forms of acupuncture: Chinese traditional medicine that has been practiced in China for thousands of years, and western-based science and evidence.

Acupuncture is a treatment used to treat 28 various conditions, including general pain management, headaches, RSI, and osteoarthritis of the knee and spine. Throughout the process, single-use, pre-sterilised needles of differing widths, lengths, and materials are inserted into your skin at specific acupuncture points on the body at differing depths.

There are two variations of acupuncture - conventional, and trigger point. For conventional acupuncture, the needles are typically left in position for 20-30 minutes before removal.

However, as trigger point acupuncture is used to relax specific muscles to resolve long-term muscle pain or to increase muscle length to aid rehabilitation, the needle is inserted into the affected muscle until the tissue relaxes, and is then removed. This form of acupuncture has a more immediate effect, therefore a 20-30 minute treatment is not necessary.

UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic offers western acupuncture to the general public as well as students and staff. The fully-trained professional staff also provides acupressure through massage, where our physiotherapists activate key acupuncture points through massage to relieve your muscle tightness. This treatment is often used for children, sensitive patients and people with a phobia of needles.

Treatment usually consists of 4-6 sessions over the course of weeks or months, depending on the condition being treated. Acupuncture is not usually used as an isolated practice, but alongside other treatments such as manual therapy.

Acupuncture should only be performed by trained practitioners. Our senior physiotherapist, Greg Littler, is a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and performs western acupuncture at UCLan's Physiotherapy Clinic. Treatments cost from £25.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

30 minutes to a healthy heart

February is National Heart Month and as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death, awareness of exercise for heart health is essential.

CVD causes one in three deaths every year, and includes angina, coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

A build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries causes them to narrow and leads to many complications, such as angina.

However, when a fatty deposit breaks away from the artery wall it can form a clot that could lead to cutting off the blood supply to the heart, resulting in a heart attack, or the brain, leading to a stroke.

There are multiple risk factors that can lead to heart conditions and CVD, such as high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and emotional health issues.

Keeping active is important to maintain heart health, with simply 30 minutes of exercise a day or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week making a difference.

Physical activity includes anything that gets you moving - even climbing the stairs, going for a walk, or playing sports. You can even do stretches whilst watching TV. The best exercises for a healthy heart include:

Circuit training

This is seen as the best way to improve cardiovascular fitness, as high intensity workouts pump blood a lot harder, which is more challenging for the heart. It stretches arteries and improves the elasticity for improved fitness. Minimal rest periods provide maximum results.

Swimming

The whole body is used during swimming and nearly all of your muscles, without harsh impact on the skeletal system, therefore it is a good all-round activity to improve fitness and health.

Swimming keeps your heart rate up whilst taking impact stress off your body, also building endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.Further benefits include maintaining a healthy weight, heart and lungs, whilst improving bone strength.

Yoga

This offers a different method of slowly increasing your heart rate instead of pushing your heart rate up and down rapidly - this is good for general health. There are varying styles of yoga suitable for beginners through to those who are more advanced, to provide the most beneficial level of activity for the individual's body.

Strength training

This builds muscle mass and burns fat, but is beneficial for bone and heart health. Strength training also lowers blood pressure by as much as 20%, whilst resistance exercises producing a different response pattern within the bloody vessels than experienced during aerobic exercise.

Resistance training can also benefit the strength of your bones reducing risks of bone conditions including osteoporosis.

Running

A steady paced run is a good way to maintain cardiovascular fitness, but interval running will push a workout to the next level. Sprinting ten second intervals will increase the intensity of the workout and can even double the heart benefits you would gain from a moderate cardio session.

As stated by David Swain, a professor of exercise science at Old Dominion University - "Short cardio bursts make your heart work harder and pump more blood with each beat, which strengthens your entire cardiovascular system."

Cycling

Research by the British Medical Association has shown that cycling reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. Cycling elevates the heart rate, improving cardiovascular fitness, as well as mental health additionally strengthening your heart muscles, lowering your resting pulse and reducing blood fat levels.

UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic provides nutritional and dietary consultancy, can create tailor-made plans for cardiovascular rehabilitation, and runs 'back to fitness' classes from £10 per person.

Our Clinic is run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists and is recognised by all major private health companies.

For more details please click here or Tel: 01772 894902.

Benefits of Athletic Taping

Athletic tape is an adhesive tape commonly used by athletes and sportsmen to manage sports injuries and increase support to muscles, joints, and ligaments whilst partaking in a sporting activity.

The tape also protects the muscles, reducing the impact experienced by athletes when they are competing. However, it is not restricted to use on athletes and can be performed on anybody requiring support.

The tape attempts to restrict abnormal movement, giving the joint feedback regarding abnormal positions. Tape can also provide muscles with feedback in order to allow them to increase their firing and allow normal muscle firing around the joint.

Benefits

There are multiple benefits with using athletic tape. These include:

• Healing muscles and joints more quickly as opposed to leaving them untreated
• The tape stretches with the joints and muscles, providing freedom of movement in the correct position and restricting abnormal movement
• Prevents muscles and joints swelling
• Prevents injuries and scratches
• Provides a psychological benefit to the athlete as they do not have to be concerned about getting severely injured or damaging their muscles

Problems

Despite the benefits associated with taping, problems can arise if the taping is not performed correctly or by a trained professional:

• An incomplete assessment of the injury prior to taping
• Restricting circulation to the affected area
• Excessive layers of tape can impair circulation
• Used as a substitute for rehabilitation, leading to patients becoming reliant
• All taping should be carried out by a trained, registered professional

If you require athletic taping, please come along to the UCLan Physiotherapy Clinic. Run by professionally registered physiotherapists and sports therapists, our Clinic is recognised by all major private health companies.

To find out more about our services please click here or call us on 01772 894902.

Sports Therapy Alumni Day 2015

The Division of Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy recently staged its annual Sports Therapy Alumni Day.

The event opened with a motivational talk from Division Leader, Karen May, on how to set up a sports therapy business.

Three of the Division's Alumni - Graham Theobald, Lewis Hiney and Ben Oliver - also came along to share their experiences since graduating.

Graham gave students a valuable insight into setting up a successful business, in addition to highlighting the importance of research and evidence-based practice for a sports therapist.

Lewis discussed working in a full-time professional sports club, and also explained how he set up his own business within three months of graduating. Ben highlighted the diverse nature of being a sports therapist, and the many employment opportunities available to students after graduation.

UCLan offers a range of services to final year students, which we recommend you utilise before graduating. Information presented at the event relating to postgraduate study and CPD training are available to view on Blackboard, under the 'Alumni Day' section in the BSc Sports Therapy homepage.

For help on CV writing, cover letter writing, interview techniques, writing applications for postgraduate courses and many more fantastic services please click here.

For mock interviews and online interview practice please click here. If you're thinking about setting up your own business please click here.

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) UK - Conference 2015

Professor James Selfe has been invited to present at a prestigious healthcare conference.

'The CES Conversation' is a one day event which will discuss different aspects of NHS treatment and care available for CES patients and explore current and future research into the condition.

Topics will be covered from a Healthcare Professional and patient perspective and will include bladder and bowel management, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, pain management, medico-legal issues and more.

The event takes place on Wednesday, 20 May, at Sheffield Hallam University. For further details please click here.

Graduate furthers research via internship scheme

UCLan Physio Clinic

The UCLan Injury & Rehabilitation Clinic is staffed by experienced Senior Chartered and HPC registered Physiotherapists who are dedicated to providing people with a positive experience of healthcare.

The team has worked with a wide variety of clubs and individuals in various sports and codes.

Senior Physiotherapist Greg Littler recently spent time with staff at Lancaster Royal Grammar School.

Evan Stewart, Director of Rugby at LRGS, said: "We were keen to develop links with UCLan, and specifically with the Physiotherapy Clinic, as we are particularly keen to develop our medical management of pupils on the field of play.

"Greg was able to take this on board and discuss our needs, creating useful staff training sessions and improving our on-field management. All staff were impressed with Greg's knowledge and skills and relating them to the coach's role."

In addition to treating external clients, the Clinic is also used by UCLan staff and students. Lecturer Dr Brigit Ramsingh recently required treatment after developing back problems from sitting all day at a desk.

She commented: "Verity (Scholes) has been incredibly helpful at relieving some of the tension and pain, giving advice on what I can do when outside the clinic, as well as setting some goals toward rehabilitation so that I can get back to being fit again.

"The location of the clinic is convenient for those who work on campus, as it is nice to be able to fit in a massage appointment during the day."

Graduate enjoys rapid Sports Therapy success

Jason Conchie graduated from our Sports Therapy programme in 2014 and is quickly establishing himself within the industry.

In addition to his BSc, Jason has also attained a Foundation Degree in Sports Massage Practice and is currently appointed as Lancashire's regional representative for The Sports Therapy Association.

He continues to pursue an array of CPD courses and hopes to progress into Master's studies.

Jason works out of NJD Sports Injury Centre (Lancashire), and in addition to sports massage services he offers a wide range of evidence-based interventions in the management & rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.

During evenings and weekends he operates as Head Sports Therapist for Clitheroe FC first team.

These roles are helping Jason develop valuable experience over a wide range of disciplines. This enables him to use a dual approach when problem solving, by combining sports therapy with aspects of sports science. This proactive approach helps him within the private healthcare sector and sport (clinical and pitchside).

Jason also has experience in Rugby, having worked with Wharfedale RUFC as an undergraduate, and within athletics as a sponsor for a Nat West Island Games XVI medal hopeful.

Jason is a keen and dedicated sprinter, competing for his local club and Lancashire over 100, 200 and 400 metres. His athletic ambition is to achieve a personal best worthy of a national qualifying time.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Back pain is a common problem, with four out of five people suffering from debilitating back pain at some point in their lives.

The main causes of back pain are bad posture, strained muscles or ligaments, and stress.

Therefore, it is essential that action is taken to prevent back pain occurring, and that you are also aware of how to manage back pain.

The majority of back pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks, typically occurring in people aged 30-50.

However, if you experience back pain for the first time when you are under 20 or over 50 this is a red flag, as is pain in the ribs, so a check-up with your doctor is vital.

Causes of back pain

Researchers believe there is no singular example of 'the perfect posture' as it depends on the position you are in, whether standing or sitting, although it is essential to maintain the alignment of the spine as misalignment leads to imbalance in muscle tone.

Furthermore, as women are particularly prone to posture and back problems due to carrying heavy handbags, pregnancy, and holding children on their hip, it is particularly important to take certain steps to prevent back pain.

Prevention

There are numerous ways that back pain can be prevented in the work place and at home. Here are a few tips to prevent pain the workplace:

• Keep head raised: focus on aligning your head and neck right above your shoulders, avoiding leaning forward
• Make sure the mouse is next to the keyboard to avoid overreaching the wrist or twisting the shoulder
• Choose a chair with good lumbar support, tilting the chair back so it is slightly reclined
• Keep the monitor at arm's length and two to three inches above eye level
• Feet should be flat on the floor, shoulder width apart to avoid tension in the knees and ankles and maintain alignment of the spine
• Don't cross your legs as this makes it difficult to keep the spine straight, risking over-stretching pelvic muscles and increasing risk of varicose veins
• Take regular breaks to prevent you from becoming stiff and tense

Measures can be taken at home to minimise and avoid risk of back problems. These include:

• Vitamin K, which is present in broccoli, spinach, and dark green leafy vegetables, is essential to build strong bones. Strong bones make a strong body!
• A softer mattress is better for the back, relieving pressure on the spine
• Bags and briefcases should not weigh more than 10% of your bodyweight as this will lead to strain on the spine. A messenger bag distributes weight more evenly across the body, being a better option
• Core strengthening exercises ideally reviewed by a qualified practitioner specifically to your needs

Treatment

If you suffer from back pain, it is treatable. The best treatment for back pain is to stay active and use over-the-counter painkillers if necessary. It is very important to remain active as your back muscles become weaker the longer you are immobile, causing more problems in the long term.

If back pain lasts longer than six weeks, exercise classes, acupuncture, physiotherapy, or combinations of painkillers are the main forms of treatment.

UCLan's Physiotherapy Clinic offers acupuncture and physiotherapy, along with many other services to alleviate back pain, at a low cost of only £30 for an initial assessment and treatments ranging from as little as £25.

For more details please click here or telephone 01772 894902.

Conference - Bridging the gaps between research and practice in Dysphagia: international perspectives

The Advancing Dysphagia Practice team have announced their first international conference event, to be held in September at UCLan Cyprus.

The team have secured a panel of prestigious international speakers who will address topical professional issues, including values-based decision making in complex cases, ethical decision making and risk management, outcome measurement differences between research and practice, plus updates on the latest research news for specified clinical populations.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers include Professor Paula Leslie, University of Pittsburgh (left); Dr Kate Reid, University Hospital Birmingham; Dr Emilia Michou, University of Manchester and Dr Hazel Roddam, University of Central Lancashire.

The programme will incorporate chaired Question & Answer sessions with the presenters so that all audience members can participate fully, ask and hear all questions and discussions.

The second day includes a choice of interactive workshops for in-depth discussion of specified topics - professional issues and clinical-population specific, led by the presenters. The event will close with workshop feedback and a final keynote address.

'Bridging the gaps between research and practice in Dysphagia: international perspectives' takes place on September 4-5, 2015. For further information and booking details please email us.

UCLan PaST researcher takes part in top NHS event

CAHPR Cumbria & Lancashire Regional Hub Chair Dr Hazel Roddam recently represented the UK Council for Allied Health Professions Research at a prestigious NHS webinar event.

Dr Roddam was one of three invited panellists at the 'Unlocking the evidence of best practice webinar', which was organised by the NHS Clinical Soft Intelligence Service, with a focus on rehabilitation services for long-term conditions.

A Principal Lecturer in Research based in the UCLan PaST Division, Dr Roddam was asked to represent the allied health professionals sector, including speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Speech and language therapist Dr Roddam has extensive experience as a clinician and manager, working within NHS and local authorities, prior to taking up her current post.

She said: "The focus of this event was on effective support for front-line practitioners and teams, to build research capacity in the workforce and to develop capability in individuals, some of whom will be the clinical-academic leaders of the next generation."

The audience included over 100 practitioners from around the United Kingdom who are involved in delivery and commissioning of rehabilitation services, (including NHS, social care, voluntary and charitable sectors).

The event, which was in partnership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and supported by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, was held on 19 January in London.