Osteopathy

As you probably know David Harsant will be leaving us as an osteopath at the end of April, we thank him for all his support over the years and wish him well in the future.
Taking over from David is Patricia Sadler, Patricia is a fully registered osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council.  She qualified with a First Class Honours Degree at Oxford Brookes University in 2014 having completed the required 5 year degree course. Her training was mostly structural, with an introduction to cranial and visceral techniques, and has completed an SCTF-approved foundation course in Cranial Osteopathy.  She has a practice at her home in Harwell.  Patricia will generally be working all day on a Monday, although where there is a bank holiday she will come in on a Wednesday.  The first of her appointments will be:
Wednesday 6th May 9.15 – 3.15
Monday 11th May 9.15 – 3.15
Monday 18th May 9.15 – 3.15
Wednesday 27th May 9.15 – 2.30
Monday 1st June 9.15 – 3.15
Monday 8th June 9.15 – 3.15
Please book your appointment with reception.  Any questions please ask.
Osteopathy

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body.  Osteopathy cannot address neurological problems directly associated with MS.  It does, however, deal with those issues related to having MS.

Postural issues that put repeated pressure on arms and shoulders, problems with walking and gait, wheelchair use, stick use; all these are problems of muscle, joint and connective tissue that can be helped with osteopathic treatment.  Falls are common and distressing.  Osteopathy can help with the resolution of injury from falls.

Other aspects of life that MS sufferers have that are common to the population as a whole include stressed out shoulders and the associated headaches, so-called ‘tennis elbow’, housemaids knee – all conditions that osteopathy can help with.

Thinking about a holiday?

Why not check out Makin’ Tracks who offer inspirational tours in Europe for wheelchair users with a real appetite for travel.”We’re a small family company, and that’s exactly how we want to stay. Every tour is personally planned, escorted, & driven by ourselves, and since we’ve been doing this on & off for most of the last 30 years, we have more than a fair idea how to create a smooth & rewarding tour for our clients.”

Visit their website here. 

Encouraging signs of myelin repair in optic neuritis drug trial

Source MS Trust:In a clinical trial of anti-LINGO-1, people with optic neuritis who took the new drug had improved nerve signals between the eye and the brain.

A phase II clinical trial called RENEW tested a drug called BIIB033, which is anti-LINGO-1 agent, against placebo in 82 people with acute optic neuritis. Participants received a total of six intravenous infusions of the drug or placebo every four weeks and were followed up for a total of 32 weeks. Although the participants had not been diagnosed with MS, about half of people with optic neuritis go on to develop MS.  Read on. 

Book Club

 When ordering from the book club please leave money with your order, we are unable to process any orders without payment having been made.

£1.1m study to reduce cognitive problems in people with MS

Source EurekAlert:

Experts in Nottingham are leading a major new study into how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) could overcome problems with attention and memory associated to their condition.
The Cognitive Rehabilitation for Attention and Memory in people with Multiple Sclerosis (CRAMMS) trial will evaluate the effectiveness of new strategies to improve and compensate for these difficulties and aims to improve the quality of life for the patient. Read on.

Positive interim results from major UK study on MS drugs

Source MS Trust:Results of the analysis of the 6 year data of the Department of Health (DH) MS Risk-sharing Scheme (RSS), published in the Lancet Neurology today, show that the disease modifying drugs Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone and Rebif are cost effective and are clinically effective in reducing the progression of the disease in people with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).  Read on.

MS drug ‘may already be out there’

Source BBC:

Depression and heart-disease drugs are to be tested in a trial to find treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) from existing medicines.

There are currently no treatments in the secondary progressive stage of the debilitating disease.
More than 400 people will take part in the trial at University College London and the University of Edinburgh.  The BBC’s Health Editor Hugh Pym reports

Mobile Phones

Sorry we can no longer accept mobile phones for recycling but are still able to recycle printer ink cartridges.  Please check Recycle4Charity.co.uk. to check that they accept that they accept your cartridge/s.

Holiday Opportunity

We are a small independent Tour Operator providing holidays for wheelchair users.

At the moment we have space for 4 people remaining on our Greece Holiday 6th-16th June.  We will be staying in a fully adapted Greek Villa set amongst olive groves near to the Aegean Riviera, where they have a dedicated wheelchair accessible beach.

Included in the price are daily excursions to explore the area in our adapted mini bus.  Please have a look at our website for further details.