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Archive for January, 2020

Hatt Clinic Sponsor Jacob Moves Up The Ranks

Posted by Steph Hatt in General on January 13th, 2020

We’re currently sponsoring a young boy, Jacob Lines from Frome who is an aspiring Olympic athlete for Kayaking.

Jacob and his family had been coming to Hatt’s for a while so he reached out to us and told us about his goal to be part of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Jacob’s story was incredibly inspiring and linked so well to our company mission so we decided to support him.

Since then, Jacob has benefited from a range of our services including Massage, Strength and Conditioning and Physiotherapy. We’ve been following his journey to success and are thrilled to be part of it.

 

 

Here’s a review of how Jacob’s been getting on so far:

 

What progress have you made over the past 3 months

 

At the time of my last report, I was really hopeful that I might be able to get to

the Premier division in that season, despite the injury that Hatt’s helped me recover from.  The good news is that I achieved the results I needed and got promoted to Prem with a race to spare- becoming the youngest paddler in the West Country to reach the Premier Division, and the first Premier Division Paddler that Frome Canoe Club has ever had.

Since the end of the season I have been working hard in winter training and the coaches are very impressed with my progress.  On the water, I have been working on my technique and speed, i.e. how to paddle faster, but reduce the risk of penalties from touches or missing gates through getting my lines wrong.

What competitions have you taken part in over the past 3 months?

The final 3 competitions of the season were just after my last report.  These resulted in my promotion in getting a 4th and 1st place at Llandysul, and taking part in my first Premier Division race where I was pretty proud of myself in putting in a respectable performance.

I was really pleased to have achieved my goal for the season, despite such a troublesome injury.

What competitions does Jacob have lined up over the next 3 months?

The first competitions of the new season are in February and March.  In February, I will start my campaign to try and improve my ranking in Canoe (C1), with the possibility that I might be able to achieve getting into Prem in Canoe as well.  Then the season for Kayak starts in March with the selection races for the GB Under-18 team.  I am not expected to get onto the team this year as I am only 15, but this is very much seen as the year that I should gain experience and get ready to really push in the next 2 years.

There are also races in Scotland at Easter, where I will be trying to improve my Premiership ranking.  Overall there are only 11 Prem races through the season, but I also have some Division 1 Canoe races, and we are starting to look at the International races where I will compete in the European Canoe Association Junior Slalom Cup.

How are you getting on in the GB pathway?

I am continuing to be a well regarded member of the squad, and my coaches are very pleased with me.  Now that I am in Prem, I get extra coaching from British Canoeing in the run up to selection.

At my end of season interview, I have been tasked with three key goals:

1. Gaining weight and strength through my off the water training.

2. Continuing to develop my technique ready for the 2020 season.

3. Through the season races, improving my Junior 16 ranking from 8thin the UK (6th in England) to 4th in the English ranking.

My coaches have been particularly full of praise with regards to my mental preparation, progress and attitude to my training.  In November, I was voted British Canoeing’s Athlete of the Month.

How has attending the clinic helped with your progress?

The work with the Clinic has been great for me.  To start with the injury I had last year, I was regularly doing well before the injury, finishing just outside the top 10 in my races.  After the injury and my recovery, I achieved promotion after just 4 races, in which I came 2nd, 4th, 4th and 1st respectively.  I am absolutely sure that this shows I came back stronger for the recovery both physically and mentally, and more determined that ever!

I am sure I could not have achieved this without the care and attention shown by the Hatt’s team in my recovery and I am very grateful, as I know are my parents!

I also do not believe that I would be as strong as I am or as resilient without the work that Garrath and I put in between us.

I am also so much more aware of my posture, my body and how to keep myself healthy and strong.

During my end of season interview, I discussed the work I do with Hatt’s with my Coaches.  They were impressed at the partnership between us, and they all agreed that although other squad members have been able to secure sponsors for new boats, kit or race costs, the relationship we have with Hatt’s is far more valuable than any of this.

Hatt’s have helped me so much physically, but have also helped me to continue to believe in myself.  One of the things that is really important, although they are hard to remember to do, are the social media posts that Steph encourages me to do.  They help keep me focused on my goal and are a good reminder of where I have come from and where I am most certainly going! Thank you Hatt’s.

Keep an eye out for more updates on Jacob’s progress. If you are or know someone that lives our mission and deserves to be recongised, please get in touch on 01380 730473.

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How To Create A Goal That You’ll Stick To

Posted by Steph Hatt in Practical Heath Tips on January 17th, 2020

We’ve all done it, started your week, month or year off with good intentions. But sadly, around 80% of us lose focus and fall back into old habits. So how can you stay focused? And what’s more, how can you make your goals easy, fun and achievable?

 

Well it’s SIMPLE:

 

S – SET GOALS: Any goal that you set should be realistic, small and timed. If you want to exercise more, plan to go for a walk at lunch 3 x a week for the next three weeks, or go to the gym straight from work 2 x a week. If it’s concrete, it will become a habit and then a part of your life.

 

I – INTERESTING: Make your goal fun. Include your friends and family, share your goal with others so that it doesn’t become a chore. A goal should never feel like work. So, if your heading out for a run, take a friend or even your pet. Exercise won’t last if you don’t enjoy it

 

M – MEASURE: In life, we all love a good tick list. Your goal shouldn’t be any different. Make yourself accountable and use markers to check progress and inspire you to continue. But DON’T make them unachievable. Rome wasn’t built in a day and the mountain to success will have up and downs

 

P – PATIENCE: Just as mentioned above, you will have ups and downs. You will miss a day or a week. Life is unexpected but you mustn’t beat yourself up. By tracking your progress whether it is with a food app or a health app, you can inspire yourself to keep going 

 

L – LISTEN: Whether it is a diet, exercise, work or a social goal, your body and mind is the best and worst motivator. You won’t achieve your goals if you don’t reflect and take time to be with your thoughts. It will help you analyse what has gone well and what hasn’t and then guide you back on the right path. Often life is too ‘busy’ that we stop because we don’t have time. There is always time, you just have to make the conscious effort to decide

 

E – EXPRESS: This one is often missed. But the more you do, talk and involve yourself in your goal, the more habitual it will become. If you have a career goal, talk about it with your loved ones and the more you do, the more you motivate yourself towards it. Plus, you might get good tips and tricks from your friends or they may even join in; teamwork makes a dreamwork after-all.

 

 If you’d like any support with creating and implementing your goals, please call us on 01380 730473. We’d love to help you kick start your journey in the best way possible!

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Keep Your Goals Smart This Year

Posted by Steph Hatt in Practical Heath Tips on January 17th, 2020

It can sometimes feel overwhelming when setting out to achieve a new goal. Two common questions that we hear at Hatts are ‘Where do I start?’ and ‘How do I make sure I succeed?’ I’m Danny, one of the Senior Pilates instructors at Hatts and I’m here to guide you with how to do just that:

 

Where do I start?

Start with a goal. It’s really important to know firstly what change you want to make but also why you want to make that change. Knowing and understanding the WHY is the most powerful way to get started. For example, you have decided you want to get fitter this year. Ask yourself why? What difference will this make to your life or other people’s life. Just like the goal, the why will be different for everyone, yet everyone should have one.

 

How do I make sure I succeed?

Make you goals SMART. SMART is a frequently used acronym in the corporate world but it works equally well in the world of health and fitness. It is a tool to help you build a plan around your goal to help keep you on track. It stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time

 

Let’s explore this in more detail:

Specific – Identify exactly what your goal is and make it as specific as possible. For example, the above example ‘I want to be fitter’ is a relatively vague goal which often makes it harder to stay motivated. Have a think about what you want be able to do that your current level of fitness is preventing you from doing. That then, is your goal.

 

Measurable – This is strongly linked to being specific. It’s important that you’re able to measure your progress and achievements. This could be a distance you want to be able to walk or run for example. A great way to start is by measuring and understanding where you are now so that you can look back and see your progression as you work towards your goal.

 

Achievable – Ask yourself ‘Is my goal realistic?’. If a goal is unachievable then your motivation is likely to wane quickly. If you’re injured and have no prior running experience, then the London marathon 2020 might be an unrealistic goal to set at this time. As above, it’s important that you understand your starting point. It is hard to be objective with this, so using data, or seeking a professional opinion is often a great way to start. Achieving goals is very satisfying and motivational, so I often recommend breaking the end goal into smaller sub goals you can tick off along the way. Or alternatively, you can re-assess yourself periodically through the year to track your progress.

 

Relevant – You’re probably wondering what I mean by relevant? In this case, I’d encourage you to set a goal that really means something to you or others around you. Make it impactful. Very few people are motivated to do something just because someone told them to. When setting your original goal, keep delving into why you want this or what impact it will have on you or your friends and family, then tell them. It will help keep you accountable and they can even help you along the way.

 

Time – I always advise putting a time scale on your goal so that you have something to work towards. Not only is this a big factor in staying motivated, it also enables you to work backwards and plan your sub-goals or re-assessments to make sure you’re on target. This is a great time to reflect and look back at where you started and the progress you have made. You can also use this as a launchpad for your next goal.

 

Struggling to make your goal SMART? We’re here to help. To speak with myself or another member of our team, please call us on 01380 730473.

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Shockwave Therapy

Posted by Steph Hatt in Treatment & Rehab on January 15th, 2020

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a medical treatment primarily used for chronic tendon disorders such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy. The technology stems from lithotripsy, which is a non-invasive treatment first developed to treat kidney stones.

A shockwave is a mechanical sound wave that initiates a pro-inflammatory response in the tissue that is being treated. The body responds by increasing blood flow and metabolism in the area being treated which stimulates and enhances the body’s healing capacity. The shockwaves also break down injured tissue and calcifications, just like lithotripsy breaks down kidney stones.

 

What common conditions can be treated with Shockwave Therapy?

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
  • Patella tendinopathy
  • Hamstring tendinopathy
  • Greater trochanteric syndrome (hip pain)
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfers elbow
  • Calcified shoulder tendinopathy

 

What are the advantages of Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave therapy offers two main advantages over surgical intervention – fewer potential complications and faster return to normal activity.

The benefits of Shockwave Therapy include:

  • No anaesthesia
  • Non-invasive
  • No medication
  • No surgery
  • Rapid treatment -15 minutes per session
  • Low complication rate
  • Significant improvement is often seen 6 weeks after treatment

 

How does Shockwave Therapy work?

The shockwaves are delivered to the injured tissue via a compressed air impulse administered by a handpiece held by the clinician. Typically, no more than 3 sessions are needed to see a benefit. No anesthetic is required and you can continue usual activities, however, it is recommended to avoid pain aggravating factors as best as possible for 48 hours following each treatment session.

 

What is the success rate of Shockwave Therapy?

Clinical evidence demonstrates an overall success rate to 77% of chronic conditions that have not resolved with other previous treatments. Whilst we expect positive clinical outcomes there is a chance that the treatment may not improve your symptoms. A review at 6 and 12 weeks post-treatment is recommended. If at this stage your symptoms have not resolved you will be advised on alternative treatment options or your clinician may recommend diagnostic tests to understand why your pain hasn’t resolved.

 

Is the treatment painful?

The inherent nature of Shockwave Therapy means there will be some discomfort during treatment, however, most people can manage their treatment session without any medication. Your clinician will constantly ask for your feedback to make adjustments that can help manage your discomfort. It is important to note that having some pain during treatment indicates that the shockwaves are having a positive effect.

 

Will I be in pain after treatment?

In most cases, you will experience a reduced pain level immediately after treatment which can last for up to 48 hours. However, in some cases, you may experience mild and diffused pain immediately after treatment which can last up to 48 hours. Each person responds differently and it is not possible to predict which reaction you will have.

 

What shall I do if I am in pain after treatment?

If necessary you can take over-the-counter pain killers. It is important that you do not take anti-inflammatory medication as this may interfere with the effectiveness of the Shockwave treatment.

 

What precautions should I be aware of?

  • Cortisone injections are not to be administered within the last 12 weeks prior to shockwave therapy treatment. Sometimes they may be some bruising and swelling.
  • If you take warfarin or other anticoagulant therapy please notify your clinician
  • If you have a cardiac pacemaker please notify your clinician prior to treatment as shockwave therapy may interfere with this.
  • If you have been diagnosed with cancer you should notify your clinician, as treatment should not be administered.
  • If you are pregnant please notify your clinician, as treatment should not be administered

 

We are proud to be one of the few clinics that offer this highly effective treatment. If you’d like to learn more about Shockwave Therapy or get booked in for a consultation with one of our Physiotherapists, please call our friendly team on 01380 730473.

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