Does Your Body Need an MOT?

Does your body need an MOT?

The Body MOT is a movement system consisting of muscles, joints, and neural components. The correct functioning of each, both statically and dynamically, is required for optimum performance and movement.


In other words it is your body and all of its’ components that provide movement and or stabilise other movements. If one area is not working effectively, it will have a knock on effect with the rest of the body.

For example, did you know that if you have something wrong with your big toe, it can change the way that you stand and walk, and therefore have a knock on affect to your ankle, knee, hip, lower back and even affect your neck?

This is why the Body MOT is the most important starting point of any exercise programme. Once you know more about how your body is put together you will be given exercises that suit your body, and maximise the affect of exercise on your body. 

This assessment will be used to develop a Corrective Exercise programme to rectify any muscle imbalances. You will then begin to bring the body back into perfect alignment and allow it to function and perform at its’ optimum level.

Body MOT Tests:

·         Posture

·         Strength

·         Flexibility

·         Movement patterns

·         Potential muscle imbalances across the whole Kinetic Chain.

It will identify the possible causes of specific movement dysfunctions and the knock-on effect these may have on the rest of the body.

From here, a relevant, evidence based and up to date, individualised treatment plan can be agreed and implemented.


All treatment at Bare Health is "hands on" treatment (manual and massage therapy techniques including mobilisation and manipulation of tissues and joints). The facilities are perfect for the rehabilitation and self exercise plans needed in the recovery and prevention of your injury.


Nicola Mapes, Bare Health Sports Massage & Injury Rehabilitation therapist, also promotes positive lifestyle behaviours by teaching individuals to self manage their condition, which improves confidence, sense of well being and quality of life.


With these new acquired skills, we can give you a long-term solution so you can prevent re-occurrence of your condition and return to activity with confidence.

To book Your MOT Assessment, injury rehabilitation or Sports Massage with Nicola, Please call Bare Health on 01260 408413

A healthy Beet for your Heart!

'A healthy Beet for your Heart'

Beetroot is one of the many cultivated varieties of beets (Beta vulgaris) and from as far back as the Middle Ages it has been used as a treatment for a number of conditions, especially illnesses relating to digestion and the blood. Bartolomeo Platina recommended taking beetroot with garlic to nulify the effects of ‘Garlic Breath’. Most of us, however, will be more familiar with the pickled variety that is eaten with salad. Beetroot is a sweet, earthy tasting vegetable rich in indigo plant pigments known as anthocyanidins.  These pigments have potent antioxidant properties and are known to inhibit oxidation (rancidity) of fragile fats whilst helping the liver in breaking down stored fats. It is also a source of Vitamins A,C and E and the minerals Iron, Pottasium and Selenium. Over the last few years this humble root vegetable has received a lot of publicity and has been the focus of a number of research studies investigating its benefits to health especially its potential for supporting the cardiovascular system.

Research published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension showed drinking 500 ml of beetroot juice led to a reduction in blood pressure within one hour. The reduction was more pronounced after three to four hours, and was measurable up to 24 hours after drinking the juice.

The blood pressure lowering effects of beetroot have been attributed to the presence of high levels of nitrate. Studies have shown a correlation between high nitrate concentrations in the blood following ingestion of the beetroot juice and a drop in blood pressure. Dietary nitrate, such as that found in the beetroot, is thought to be a source for the production of nitric oxide, which is used by the body to help increase blood flow by dilating blood vessels leading to blood pressure reduction.

It is the presence of these nitrates in beetroot that have also been reported to improve exercise performance, especially stamina, endurance & speed during activities such as running, cycling & walking.

In 2012 The Daily Telegraph reported that Paraolympic athlete David Weirs Gold Medal Haul was attributable to a secret ingredient – something completely legal and scientifically proven to aid sports performance and was described as ‘legal blood doping’ – yes you got it! The Simple Beetroot.

But these benefits have also been seen in more average athletes too. Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology carried out by Exeter Medical School reported that after drinking beetroot juice, study participants muscles were more efficient and used less oxygen whilst walking. The juice had the effect of widening blood vessels, increasing blood flow; and it reduced the oxygen needed by muscles, enabling them to work more efficiently. Further published studies from the University of Exeter found that drinking 500ml of beetroot juice before exercise improved stamina with a more recent study finding that cyclists could shave seconds off their time, increasing endurance levels by 16% -similar benefits were found for runners in a US study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in April 2011.

So this is great news for those of us that run out of steam after an hours jogging – with the help of a shot of beetroot juice we might just be able to keep going for a further 10 minutes!

On the other hand, for those who are not thrilled with the idea of drinking large quantities of this juice the good news is that it is now available in capsule form and exhibits the same beneficial effects.

For more information please call into Bare Health, Congleton. Your local independent Health Store or email your questions to mel@barehealth.co.uk Alternatively, call 01260 408413 and speak to a member of staff who will be more than happy to help.

Any information contained within this article is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or healthcare professional. Please always consult your GP if you are taking prescribed medication.

Remedy of the week - Ruta

As Congleton Harriers completed the Cloud 9 Hill Race on Sunday I was reminded of one of the first homeopathic remedies I ever prescribed.   A neighbour had turned over one of her ankles and ended up in plaster for several weeks in order to heal her sprained ankle ligaments.  She was expecting to have full mobility once the plaster came off, yet she returned home with a limp.  Several days later I noticed she was still walking with some difficulty.  She complained the bone along the side of her foot felt sore and bruised and she could not put her foot fully to the floor.  As a keen student of homeopathy at the time, I suggested she try some Ruta 30c.  Within 24 hours, after 3 doses, the lameness had gone and she was walking normally again.

Ruta is an excellent first aid remedy for problems with the connective tissue due to sprains, overuse of muscles or injury of the joints and ligaments.  There is typically stiffness and pain in the surrounding muscles and tendons.  The person is usually quite restless and wants to keep moving the joint.  The area will be better for keeping it warm and rubbing it.  The discomfort will feel worse for sitting, or being cold and damp.  

For an acute sports injury always apply the appropriate first aid and make sure a doctor assesses the injury if the joint cannot be straightened, bent or bear weight.  Arnica will help overcome the initial shock and pain.  Once the injury is assessed Rhus Tox and Ruta are two of main remedies that will give relief to a sprain or strain.  Ruta is always the remedy of choice where there is bruising to the bone.  Consider it too for injuries that have mostly healed but nodules or thickening on the bone can be felt and remain sore.  I trust all the runners on Sunday remained sure footed, but for any sprains or strains, then do remember Ruta.  It is handily available to buy over the counter at Bare Health in tablet or homeopathic ointment when needed.

For any enquiries about using remedies in first aid situations I am available for a free session on the 2^nd Saturday of each month at Bare Health.  I will be at the shop next on Saturday March 9^th 2013.  Though please note at the different time of 9.30am to 12 noon.  To be sure of a slot you can book a place by calling Bare Health on 01260 408413.

Jane Bowdenleigh, LNWCH. Tel 07740 798595 www.jbhomeopathy.co.uk