These last few months have brought additional challenges for everyone, with most families, work environments and industries effected. We are so grateful that we were able to stay open and provide much needed relief to those in pain.   

Recently in our social media we were focusing on taking small mindful moments each day to consider gratitude. As I sit here now, I realise how lucky we are having weathered another lockdown storm and that all of the DH team stayed safe and well.

I want to take the opportunity to give thanks to our team of chiropractors who have put in extra hours to ensure we had availability for all our patients.

You may have noticed if you came into the clinic that we have no front desk administration staff in. We have been administering the clinic remotely and the team of admin staff have been fielding calls and emails and triaging appointments from their homes. This has enabled us to keep the business running and the clinics areas as free as possible so that we have space for social distancing. I want to thank the admin team for this flexibility and for staying connected to the business despite being separated away.

Our massage therapy team have done a great job of rescheduling their patients throughout the lockdown so if you had an appointment booked you will likely have spoken to one of them over the last few weeks.  It will be great to have them back soon.

It's been strange times, but I am pleased that we are still here, especially with this being an anniversary year for Durham House. It was our 15th Birthday on the 22nd of January. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone and how much has changed in those 15 years. 

Milestone anniversaries give us the opportunity to reminisce over the past and remind us of the journey we have made. Thank you to all those employees who have been part of this journey and for all of the patients that continue to support us. 


Best wishes

Galin
 

The Clinics
Chiropractic treatments continue in both clinics and do so with COVID safety and well-being in mind.   

 

Massage Therapy
Our therapists are currently waiting in the wings to return to the clinic on the 12th of April (fingers crossed). We have reopened the online booking system and so you are now able to book directly into their diaries. If you would like to make an appointment and would prefer to speak to someone on the front desk, please call either of the clinic numbers and someone will assist you. 

Did you know we have a specific massage therapy web page?  You can find information on the different therapies we offer.  
http://www.durham-house-massage-therapy.co.uk/


Front Desk Team
Will be returning to both the clinics on the 12th of April also.


The Studio
We are planning to re-open The Studio on Monday 17th May. Our timetable is still phased, and we continue to monitor all government recommendations and COVID secure measures to bring you a safe environment.  

 As a reminder of the types of classes we offer, please click on the link below.  We will communicate more information on this in due course. 

General Team News
In January a team of 8 DH staff took on one of the Conqueror challenges and walked the Route 66 Virtual Challenge, a 2,280-mile (3,669 km) road trip along the most iconic road network in the world. We set ourselves the target of 70 days and achieved it in 64 days, 6 days less than we planned. Working our way from Chicago to Los Angeles on this historic road, the team were busy walking dogs, pushing pushchairs, running, cycling and even orienteering to make up the miles. 
Did you know, an average person has a stride length of 2 to 2.5 feet that is 60 to 75cm. That means it takes around 2000 steps to walk one mile.  On our challenge the DH team collectively travelled around 35 miles per day, that is around 4.5 miles per person or 9000 steps per day.

As a bonus, the Conqueror challenge partnered with Eden Reforestation and each time we reached one of the milestones shown on the map Conqueror pledged to plant a tree to help restore healthy forests in locations around the world. We are proud that 5 trees were planted as reward for our efforts.

It was a fantastic way to support each other as a team and encourage each of us to keep moving.
Watch out for our next challenge!



     

Celebrating 15 years - Part 1 of 3

2021 commemorates the 15th year that Durham House, the company I own, has been in business.
In this series of 3 articles, I'm taking some time to reflect on where it started, the journey to where we are right now, and where we are heading to next.

The early years
Having joined 1st Chiropractic Centres in 2003 as a motivated and hugely excited graduate of Surrey University. I spent two years working for 1st Chiropractic Centres and learning all I could about the chiropractic world and business. I learned quickly and soon felt I wanted to go out on my own and make my own mark in the industry.

I was offered the opportunity to buy the newly opened Fleet site. At the time I was already established with my own patient base there, and the Fleet practice held a special place in my heart. So, I jumped at the opportunity to continue on in Fleet and expand the newly opened clinic. I was really excited to be finally able to own my own practice.

My enthusiasm soon deflated somewhat when every bank I approached refused my application, citing that I was either too young or too inexperienced. As a last resort I approached my mother and asked if she could loan me the money to buy the premises and the goodwill from 1st Chiropractic Centres. She agreed and re-mortgaged her home to help me,  on the promise I would pay her back within 5 years. The deal was made and the contract signed.

On the 11th of January 2006 I became the proud new owner of Durham House Chiropractic Clinic in Fleet.



The original team consisted of Fifi-  who was the Practice Manager, Julie Jarvis- Sports massage practitioner, and me.
All of us were excited to be taking part in this new venture and opportunity.



Our first challenge arose during in the initial 6 months (and continued for the next year), when we struggled with the planning department, having wanted to install an x-ray machine in the garage! For the following year I worked tirelessly, to pay the bills and my debt. My husband and I moved into the clinic and lived upstairs while I continued to work non-stop to build the clinic.




In part 2 we look at the opening of Farham clinic and The Studio

In England, half of all adults are not active enough to benefit their health. This means that they are at risk of developing serious illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The UK Chief Medical Officers say that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, like walking, every week. Kids should be active for an hour every day. But in England some studies have suggested that only 6% of men and 4% of women actually achieve this. One in three people don’t even manage 30 minutes a week. The simple fact is that getting active can save your life. We could prevent 37,000 deaths every year, just by taking a walk. Being active also slashes the risk of getting these serious diseases by 20-50%.

Walking for Health is England’s largest network of health walks with over 360 active walking schemes, helping people across the country lead a more active lifestyle. At a national level, the programme is delivered by The Ramblers, while at a local level our Walking for Health schemes are run in partnership with local councils, the NHS, and other voluntary groups. The common aim is to deliver free, not-for-profit health walks.

The walks are short and over easy terrain and are open to everyone but are especially aimed at those who are least active.
1,800 weekly walks are supported by around 5,000 friendly and specially trained volunteers who are on hand to provide encouragement and support, and make sure no one gets left behind. They currently reach on average 70,000 walkers, supporting them to experience the benefits of getting and staying active.
Many of the walkers start walking to improve their health, but find it easy to keep coming back because of all the new friends they’ve made. So, as well as all the physical health benefits, Walking for Health is also great for your social life!

To find out more check out the article attached or visit the website where you will find a postcode search facility to find your nearest walks.:
www.walkingforhealth.org.uk  

 

The intrinsic muscles in your feet are small muscles that live in the main part of your foot and between your toes. Their main job is controlling the motion of the feet, holding up your arches and helping with balance.
 
They are very important for people who are on their feet a lot or do sports that require a lot of foot strength, such as ballet and rock climbing. They are also important for trail runners and hikers as they rely on foot sensation to keep their balance when on uneven surfaces. Aside from that, they are useful for anyone who uses their feet to stay upright (most of us!) particularly on slippery or uneven surfaces.

They also have a role in controlling the arch of the foot. This is like a natural shock absorber and reduces impact on the whole body whilst running or walking. Keeping them strong can protect every weight bearing joint in the body!

To learn more click on the article link below. 
 

As the foundation for your entire body, your feet need to be healthy, balanced and correctly aligned.

Did you know we have a foot analysis service at Durham House using FootBalance technology? 

We can produce FootBalance Custom Insoles to support, cushion and balance your body.