The Sports physio - Carlisle, Cumbria» Scottish Highlands

Keep ticks and Lyme disease at bay

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:34:42 +0000

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is transmitted by tick bites and the Health Protection Agency is advising people to take care when visiting areas where ticks are present, to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of catching Lyme disease.

Ticks are flat until they begin to feed on animal or human blood, swelling more than four times their body size.

Latest provisional figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there were 953 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease reported in England and Wales in 2010. The majority of these cases were acquired in the UK rather than overseas, with two-thirds of cases identified among residents in the South of England.

The overall figure for England and Wales is estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 cases a year as in previous years, as some cases are clinically diagnosed rather than being laboratory tested. Incidence of Lyme disease acquired in England and Wales remains low compared to some other European countries, particularly those in central Europe and Scandinavia.

Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures which can be found in forests, woodland, heaths, moorland areas and in suburban parkland. Any area in which ticks are present should be regarded as having a potential risk of Lyme disease. Late spring, early summer and autumn are peak times for tick bites and coincide with people venturing into the great outdoors in the warmer weather.

Dr Dilys Morgan, head of gastrointestinal, emerging and zoonotic infections department at the HPA, said: “It’s important that people take preventive measures against tick bites and also look out for ticks after visiting affected areas especially in the southern counties of England, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands to reduce the risk of catching Lyme disease.”

Cases of Lyme disease are often acquired through recreational activities including walking, hiking and mountain-biking. Areas where the infection has been acquired in the UK include popular holiday destinations such as Exmoor, the New Forest, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, Thetford Forest, the Lake District, the Yorkshire moors and the Scottish Highlands.

Dr Morgan added: “Ticks that can transmit Lyme disease are very small – about the size of a poppy seed – and can easily be overlooked, so it is important to check regularly for attached ticks on the skin. Most ticks do not carry the infection but if one is found it should be removed promptly, as infected ticks are unlikely to transmit the organism if they are removed in the early stages of attachment. Ticks can be removed with tweezers or special tick hooks, pulling gently upwards away from the skin. People who develop a rash or other symptoms after a tick bite should consult their GP.”

To minimise the risk of being bitten by an infected tick, the HPA advice is to:

Wear appropriate clothing in tick-infested areas (a long sleeved shirt and long trousers tucked into socks). Light coloured fabrics are useful, as it is easier to see ticks against a light background
Consider using insect repellents, e.g. DEET-containing preparations,
Inspect skin frequently and remove any attached ticks
At the end of the day, check again thoroughly for ticks, especially in skin folds
Make sure that children’s head and neck areas, including scalps, are properly checked
Check that ticks are not brought home on clothes
Check that pets do not bring ticks into the home on their fur

More information

Health protection Agency – About the symptoms of Lyme borreliosis and tick bite prevention

Lyme disease leaflets produced in conjunction with The Royal Parks and New Forest District Council.

Lyme Disease Action – UK based Lyme Disease Charity. Striving for prevention and treatment of Lyme Disease and associated tick-borne diseases.

Sports Speciality

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:12:37 +0000

The Sportsphysio.com has over ten years experience working with sports groups and athletes from amateur to Olympic level providing specific event support.

Our unique location at the edge of the Cumbrian Lake District and only an hour away from the Scottish Highlands, means that we do a great deal of work with climbers and activity organisations in the region. Currently providing event services for Highpoint and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Understanding a particular sport and mechanism of injury, is vital to the wellbeing of the athlete and we spend a great deal of time with professionals in many disciplines, learning the skills required and understanding the stresses and strains placed on the body.

Special experience with ballistics and archery professionals has allowed us to assist Olympic athletes to fine tune their technique to get the best from their physique and skills.

Preventative techniques are always at the forefront of our sports work and this is most evident with our involvement in motor sport, working with the driver to counteract the forces of driving at speed or in awkward conditions. We were present at symposiums for the inception of the HANS restraint system, now employed to limit head and neck injuries in F1 drivers.

We will always work closely with an injured athlete and their coach, ensuring that they can maintain their level of fitness and achieve rehabilitation within the sports specific environment.

If you would like us to provide support for your event, just use our “contact us” button to discuss your requirements.

Find out more about the Cumbrian Lakes and Scottish Highlands

Find out more about The Cumbrian Lake District, with the Lake District National Park

Visit the Scottish Highlands

Highpoint Mountain Guides – offer a range of activities and training for groups www.lakeschallenge.co.uk and specialist services to the media, film and TV industries www.highpointpro.co.uk

Sporting and Activity Event Support

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:23:30 +0000

We have over ten years experience working with sports groups and athletes from amateur to Olympic level providing specific event support.

Striding Edge

Currently providing event services for Highpoint and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Understanding a particular sport and mechanism of injury, is vital to the wellbeing of the athlete and we spend a great deal of time with professionals in many diciplines, learning the skills required and understanding the stresses and strains placed on the body.