So 2017 ended pretty surprisingly with much turbulence due to geo political triggers – these sudden surprises saw much stress amongst our patients and much sickness… so what does 2018 hold and what will it yield.
In the medical realm new technology is ever growing and rapidly progressing. From a skeletal joint point-of-view, having recently attended the sports medicine conference held in cape town, there is a significant shift to a more “prevention than cure” protocol. For joint pathology, the usage of stem cells and gel injections is fast reducing the need for hip and knee replacement. Additionally, the continued use of stem cells is growing and showing more improvement when used for complicated tendon damage. The use of laser therapy is rapidly growing and will perhaps reduce many invasive procedures. Exciting times ahead!
I will soon write a follow-up blog with some ideas re stress reduction and the emotional/body link and how this gets triggered with stress, however for now one can’t ignore the link to the worldwide torrid elements of 2017, and the many illnesses which have become prevalent and how this has affected us all. Locally with South Africa going through such high and low moments, we saw more neck and lower back tension issues among patients. More gastric conditions and certainly more auto immune triggers. One wonders if there is not some underlying causative effect! The need for more counter balance and elements of consistent exercise and “chill” is becoming the order of the day.
As one returns from the mountains, beaches, and various other magnificent holidays, we once again tackle the year ahead, with its ups and downs! With renewed vigor, we now head back to aircon offices, unfriendly desk set-ups, hard shoes and high heels, long seated drives to clients, long distance work travel, the picking up of heavy luggage, fighting for payment from suppliers – it is therefore more important that ever to be cognisant of any day-to-day stress and utilize effective preventative measures! Stretch everyday; nourish your body, mind and soul; SMILE, and let’s make this year brilliant! Enjoy!
