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?
The reality is that developing symptoms or a sudden painful event are just the tip of the iceberg and often issues are complicated and have been quietly brewing for a while. This makes the quick fix a tough ask!
In many cases the problems or time out could have been avoided with routine check-ups or maintenance appointments which will pick up changes in posture, gait, strength and increasing physical or mental stressors on the body.
So what if you treated your health a little more proactively, as you do with your dental check-ups, heart and blood pressure checks, hair care, routine well-women and well-men checks, and even your car servicing and maintenance?
It’s likely that your osteopath or sports massage therapist will quickly be able to spot troublesome signs early on and help prevent further deterioration, acute painful events and advise you on proactive exercise strengthening and mobilising programs.
But how do you know if routine check-ups or maintenance programs are beneficial for you?
5 question check list:
1. Does your work, study, travel or daily patterns adversely affect your posture and alignment?
2. Is it difficult for you to change your work, study, travel or daily positions and routines?
3. Are you a sports enthusiast, do you regularly workout, compete at your sport or want to begin a new form of exercise or hobby?
4. Are you involved in any manual activities such as labouring, DIY, gardening or carrying children?
5. Would you like to be more proactive about your health and do your best to avoid injury or mounting strains and tension?
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to 1 or more of these questions we would recommend regular check-ups, and our maintenance programs can be anywhere between weekly appointments to a general check-up once every 6 months.
The more questions you have answered ‘Yes’ to, the more proactive we would recommend you are with the frequency of your visits.
It is most likely you will save money in the long run and spread out the cost, as trying to fix issues when they become serious can often take much longer and require an intense course of regular treatments.
We often prioritise spending on our external appearance such as on hair, clothes, skin and nails, or spending on the social life, eating out or on others. Caring for your body, both physical and mental must not drop off the list, especially if you value happy, healthy longevity, productivity and performance.
Don’t neglect your health any longer, make time for youself, and ask us about what would be the best check-up program for you.
Visit the website for video guides on simple 3 minute movement routines, guidance on nutrition and sleep and for easy online bookings.
Emma Wightman
www.the-sop.com