What a very strange time it has been of late?! Lockdown, social distancing, not being able to work, then you have to go to work, closing schools, opening schools, closing shops, opening shops, 2metres, 1metre + a bit etc …and in the middle of it all you/I!
Since March, due to the guidelines regarding Covid-19 the clinic has been closed. It has been a strange time, and I found myself going from having a busy schedule where I was out of the house six days a week to being in the house all day, EVERY day! Culture shock would be an understatement. In the immediate aftermath of, ‘Lockdown,’ my mind went into overdrive, and the levels of my stress just increased – the same for everyone! Along with the world, I found myself in a limbo of stressing about work, worrying about my health, my family’s health, struggling to adapt to not being able to go where I please, when I please. How was I going to cope?!
Throughout the lockdown I have started to run a lot more. A few years ago, I used to run 3 to 4 times a week and enjoyed it so much; I found my love for it again during this lockdown. After a few weeks of building up some endurance and speed, I really wanted to test myself with a 5km time trial. I began my warm-up, a slow paced jog, just to get my legs in motion. Running along an uneven (but familiar) path, ahead of me I noticed a dog walker, so I moved to one side to give the 2m of distance – and disaster (maybe an exaggeration) struck!!
Firstly, let me say, I am very happy to be back ready to help! When the doors do open again (hopefully from 04/07/2020), it will be a different experience for you, and me also! You will probably have seen the changes that have been made in terms of everyday life, which are also filtering into places of work – that is the same for me. Here are a few of the things that will be different:
Before your appointment, we will have a telephone conversation which will be a chance for me to ask a few questions to screen for any potential Coronavirus symptoms and exposure.
I will also be self-monitoring for symptoms.
Appointments will be spaced out which allows time to disinfect all surfaces that may be touched and ventilate the room. It also avoids patients meeting in the common areas.
I will be wearing recommended PPE: face mask, disposable apron and gloves.
Patients will be required to sanitise their hands on arrival and I will be washing my hands even more regularly than usual.
All payments will be contactless.
If you are shielding, in a high risk group or live with someone who is, I will discuss with you individually what is the most appropriate course of action.
If you have any queries, feel free to contact me. Take care and I will see you in the clinic very soon!
This is something that I’ve heard many times from different patients, and people I’ve met. Practitioners such as I, and many others would not agree…putting it bluntly, sciatica is not a diagnosis!
