HYPOTHETICAL CASE: Marie has noticed that it is
getting more difficult to get comfortable in bed and she has developed a horrible stabbing pain in
the middle of her shoulder blades. More disturbing has been the onset of panic attacks - sometimes
whilst driving.
'I've always been really healthy. I'm not stressed or anything, I love my job. I get plenty of
exercise as I use the gym at least 4 times per week. I sit all day, so I work really hard to
compensate to keep my weight down and tone up my body.'
Marie is covered under her company's medical insurance policy for Osteopathic treatment, and they
have referred her to her local Osteopath. Marie books in for her first appointment one Saturday
morning, when she is at home. Marie and the Osteopath sit down to talk through the symptoms that
she is experiencing. The Osteopath checks that Marie has seen her GP about the panic attacks.
Marie states that she is nervous about alerting her boss to her symptoms and has not seen her GP.
The Osteopath explains that the symptoms are common, and are usually harmless. However, it is
important to investigate the cause as chest pains and palpitations can indicate much more serious
conditions - which will eventually cause her difficulties with work anyway, and present a danger
when driving. Marie agrees to see her GP.
Marie admits to clamping her mobile phone under her left ear whilst she works. Also, she usually
works on her laptop for another 2-3 hours at night after work - a total 8-9 hours per day. The
osteopath offers to make a workplace assessment for Marie.
The Osteopath discovers stiffness around the left shoulder blade and explains that this probably
results from her working posture. She is often hunched over her laptop for far too long, and
clamping the phone makes this worse. Marie does not have a comfortable chair to use.
The Osteopath explains that simple panic attacks can relate to poor posture as the unconscious
part of the nervous system controlling heart becomes irritated. Even 'good stress' is a strain on
the body over a long period of time - project deadlines, rushing home at the end of the day, and
other daily challenges - in the short term it can boost our health, but over a long period it
works against us.
Marie is advised to balance her gym routine with gentler exercise, perhaps a swim at the end of
her day; and to control weight gain by eating more sensibly - including breakfast and lunch.
Lastly, Marie could replace some coffee drinks with a caffeine-free alternative, which will help
her feel calmer.
UNCOMFORTABLE OFFICE
Westbury Osteopaths can help your business assess the risks to physical health in your workplace.
Workers in this office may experience more musculoskeletal injuries as workplace layout suffers:
each individual need sufficient space to stretch and prevent tension. Trip hazards may also be
present if wires trail along the floor or access to escape routes are blocked.
ACCIDENTS
Westbury Osteopaths can provide quick access to treatment for back, joint and nerve pain resulting
from accidents or injuries in your workplace.
Injuries are best attended to as soon as possible. If there is any risk of serious injury your
colleague should be referred to the hospital.
Early intervention can prevent simple low back or neck injuries, whiplash and other aches and
pains leading to long term absence and worklessness.
STRESS
Westbury Osteopaths can help treat the physical effects of stress and tension - breaking what may
become a self-perpetuating cycle.
Long-term stress, from work or home, has been shown to reduce the body's ability to heal itself.
Our osteopaths listen to your colleagues concerns and can appreciate how they reflect in their
physical health. Treating the symptoms in the body can give the mind a chance to recuperate and
allows the individual to get back to normal activity as soon as possible.
Long-term absence from work often results from the combination of mental and physical ill-health.
Let us help.
