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Edinburgh Runner Asks for Volunteers to Aid Scoliosis Association

A Scottish man is on the run to help ease the pain of scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) in the UK – and he’s asking others to join him in a quest that’s close to home.

 

Edinburgh resident Pierre Bernard spoke to reporters to issue a call for runners to join him October 2, 2011 in his home town in support of the Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK).

 

Bernard said his daughter Courtney, 13, is his inspiration to aid SAUK. The youngster suffers from the condition and wears a brace 20 hours a day, Bernard told reporters.

 

In addition, Bernard’s wife had the condition until an operation improved her health.

 

The Scottish dad is asking for 29 volunteers to run with him this October at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run and encourages interested individuals to look at his site, Pierre.Bernard@SAUK.org.uk.

 

For more information on the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run and other run locales and dates, go to www.greatrun.org .

 

Looking for further information on SAUK and on scoliosis, its various forms, upcoming scoliosis meetings and current treatment options? Go to http://www.sauk.org.uk/ .

 

We would recommend Tempur visco elastic memory foam mattresses for scoliosis sufferers as they mould themselves to the shape of your individual body.

Insomnia Worse in Summer Months

Heads up: we’ve been coming across a lot of information lately about how warmer months, fun though they may be, can negatively affect sleep.

 

With all of the activity of summertime, you’d think the average person would sleep better at night than at other times of the year. Not so, experts are saying, and there are a variety of reasons.

 

One major issue is actually the long stretches of inactivity, particularly on holiday if you don’t have much planned. Although summer is known for its fun sports (particularly in and near the water), these periods of activity are just that, experts say: periods.

 

In between, culturally we generally tend to take a “relax…it’s summertime” attitude. This means less energy expenditure during the day and therefore, a loss of quality sleep at night.

 

The heat itself, of course, is another stumbling block to quality sleep. Anyone who’s struggled through a humid night with baby powder on the sheets knows how heat can keep you from falling asleep. But it can also be a factor in staying asleep, according to sleep researchers.

 

That’s because during periods of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the body’s ability to sweat and shiver drops way down. When body temperature begins to match the outside temperature, waking occurs so the body can regulate itself once again. Though people who live in continuously hot climates acclimate and sleep well, areas with significant temperature changes from season to season and from day to evening don’t experience this benefit.

 

Also, a change in the day’s structure can be a sleep-wrecker. Even going to bed one hour later than your routine for several days can throw your internal clock off and confuse your body as to when “lights out” and “up and at ‘em!” are supposed to occur.

 

Luckily, forewarned is forearmed. Take the above into consideration when planning your days, even if they’re luxury ones. Forgo that summer afternoon nap and take a satisfying walk in nature instead. Invest in an air conditioner or quality fan for the bedroom so you stay cool at night.

 

And enjoy…before you know it, these humid days will be over and we’ll be battening down for winter once again. So make the most of your summer, but don’t forget to take care of your body, and your sleep.

 

If you are having trouble sleeping we recommend Rest Assured Ortho Mattresses

Off to University? Remember a Supportive Mattress

Not-so-little one leaving the nest this fall for university? Send along your love, a ton of toilet supplies and a new mattress, experts say.

 

Even if your child’s dorm room bed includes a mattress, there’s no telling how old it is, nor how many other student bodies have lounged upon it over the years. And although the resiliency of youth may lead you to believe your youngster will bounce right back after an uncomfortable night’s sleep, these are the years when she’s determining her future back health.

 

A new mattress for a dorm bed doesn’t have to break your going-off-to-school budget. Check out our deals on Tempur single mattresses, their visco elastic “memory foam” being perhaps the best mattress material you can find. (And shipping is free on select items.)

 

If you’ll be sending your student to university with her own mattress from home, make sure it’s supportive, comfortable and that it’s not out of date (seven years is the longest experts recommend for most mattresses, though Tempur tends to last longer).

 

This one little change can mean a big difference in your child’s rest, and therefore her school performance and sociability, according to sleep researchers, so start her year off right.

 

On another note – can it really nearly be back-to-school time? Tempes fugit!

 

Participants Needed for Galway Back Pain Prevention Trial

We thought this would be of interest to our back pain sufferers, who write in quite a bit for tips on how to alleviate their pain through better sleep and neck support.

 

The Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway has put out a call for back patients to participate in their Pain Disability Prevention Programme (PDP) study. Consisting of 10 educational sessions, the trial will focus on a variety of topics including stretching and exercises, cognitive therapy to identify negative thought patterns that may impact the patient’s rehabilitation and instruction on pacing techniques.

 

Patients who have experienced back pain for 12 months or less and who are currently off work or on shortened work hours due to their back issues are invited to submit for the trial.

 

Contact Miriam Raftery, Centre for Pain Research, NUI Galway at miriam.rafterty@nuigalway.ie (phone: 091 495 830). More information can be found at www.nuigalway.ie/pdp. Please note: doctors are also invited to refer patients to the study.

 

Meantime for our customers who suffer from back pain we will always recommend a good supportive Relaxan orthopedic mattress