Chipping Norton Times - Issue 26 - November 2012 (PDF)

Headaches
Look at the alternatives before you
pop another pill
It has been revealed that more than one million
people in Britain may be suffering from
constant, crippling headaches because they are
taking too many painkillers, experts say. The pills
people take to relieve headaches and migraines
may be making things much worse, according to
the National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (Nice) in guidance to the health
service for England and Wales.
As many as one in 50 people suffer continual
headaches because of "medication overuse",
Nice reports. The problem begins with taking
the odd painkiller for tension headaches or
migraines, which usually works. But some people take the pills more and more often, until they are on tablets for more than half
the days in a month. Nice says that if this goes on for more than three months the medication ends up causing the problem it is
intended to cure.
So what alternatives are there to continually popping pills? British Osteopathic Association Member Jane Hartley and Guy
Beresford comment, “tension-type and neck related headaches are the most common form of headache. If you suffer from
tension-type headache, then regular gentle exercise will almost certainly help - such as yoga, Pilates, swimming, walking. Some
people find it hard to relax and probably don't realise how tense they are. If someone suffers from headaches it may also be neck
related due to stiffness or restrictions of the neck. Osteopaths look to find the cause of tensions or stiffness and seek to relieve it
by helping the body achieve more mobility and flexibility.
“Other lifestyle factors such as poor posture at a desk or tiredness can lead to tension-type or neck related headaches.
Osteopaths look to relieve this tension and give advice on posture and exercises to do to help prevent the tension or stiffness
from building up. For example we would recommend taking regular breaks from sitting at a computer desk for long periods of
time or prolonged driving. Any persistent or sudden severe headache should always be checked by a GP first.”
For further information about the BOA or to find a BOA member near you please visit www.osteopathy.org
If you wish to discuss how your local osteopath could help, contact Jane Hartley and Guy Beresford at Cotswold Osteopaths
(surgeries in Cheltenham, Bourton-on-the-Water, Northleach and Evesham) online at www.cotswoldosteopaths.co.uk or
telephone 01242 516048
How do I start a Community Speed Watch scheme in my community?
Information from the Community Speed Watch booklet
If you and other members of the community
think that speeding traffic has a dangerous or
negative social impact on your area, talk to
your local parish/town council, as their
support is vital. If there are others who
would volunteer to take an active role in
speed monitoring, then forming a group is a
good next step.
Some people may want to help but not stand
at the roadside - excellent! the follow-up
administration may require help to process
the letters to drivers.
Many drivers slow down on seeing volunteers
in high-visibility jackets at the roadside and
the number of drivers recorded may not be as
high as you think it will be. This is a good
thing, as the aim is to encourage people to
slow down without having to involve any
further action. For the majority of the time,
most drivers will co-operate and experience
elsewhere has shown that volunteers operate
with little or no risk to themselves or others.
It would be wrong, however, not to insist that
new schemes adhere to some basic guidelines
and safety practices. These are in the
information pack, together with information
on training, cost, and a Code of Conduct.
Contacts
Telephone 01242 247198 and ask for the
Watch Office. Email
cotswold.lpa@gloucestershire.police.uk
Talk to a member of your Local policing team.
Gloucestershire Constabulary,
Road Policing Unit, Operational Services Centre,
Bamfurlong Lane, Cheltenham. GL51 6ST Tel: 101
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