Sam Rattu - Integrative Physiotherapist

Why Buy Local Produce? 🌱🍎 Support your health + the planet!

✔️ Fresher = More Nutrients – Locally grown foods are picked at peak ripeness and packed with vitamins.
✔️ Fewer Chemicals – Less travel means less need for preservatives or packaging.
✔️ Supports Immunity – Eating in tune with your local environment boosts resilience.
✔️ Lowers Emissions – Cuts down food miles and CO₂ from transport.
✔️ Strengthens Communities – Keeps money in the hands of local farmers and producers.

How are those New Year's Resolutions going?

Are you finding it difficult to implement new behaviour change or is change not even on your radar?

Showing up for yourselves is one of the hardest pursuits of being a human being and although we may have the best of intentions, our actions can regularly fail to achieve what we really desire.

Also, this is not designed to be a triggering post but more to get you thinking about how little actions, behaviours, thoughts and words can assist in setting down the foundations of achieving greatness.

In the turbulent times that we are currently witnessing, the saying " Health is Wealth" couldn't be any more important. Now, there isn't going to be any practical advice in this post but more a thought provocation.

How will you show up for yourself this year? What small and seemingly insignificant actions and behaviours will you change to follow your true purpose and desires.

Looking forward to growing together through 2025 and beyond to a happier, healthier and sustainable future.

Health truly equals wealth because it is the foundation of everything we do in life. Without good health, even the greatest material wealth or success loses its value. Our physical and mental well-being allows us to engage fully in our work, relationships, and passions. It’s often said that we only appreciate health when it’s compromised, but by prioritizing our wellness, we can thrive in all areas of life.

Good health supports productivity, creativity, and emotional stability, all of which are essential for personal and professional growth. When we take care of our bodies through exercise, nutritious food, and rest, we not only increase our longevity but also improve the quality of each day. We’re more energized, focused, and capable of achieving our goals.

Health also impacts our financial wealth. When we neglect our well-being, medical expenses and loss of productivity can drain our resources. On the other hand, investing in a healthy lifestyle pays dividends by reducing healthcare costs and enhancing our ability to work and enjoy life.

In essence, health is the true currency that enables us to experience life’s riches—whether that’s time with loved ones, pursuing passions, or achieving success. It is the ultimate form of wealth.

Pillow design, comfortable sleeping and prevention or treatment of neck pain is a fairly contested topic in the physiotherapy space. Evidence encourages the use of pillows made of rubber, latex or spring to assist in preventing mechanical neck pain.

What about determining the pillow's height?

A method that was studied in Japan, called the Step up for Spinal Sleeping method (SSS method) had demonstrated some positive results in terms of improving neck pain presentations. It involves satisfying three criteria:
- Neutral spinal alignment in side lying
- 15 degree anterior tilt of head (forward tilt) in supine (flat on your back)
- Able to roll smoothly from Right to Left side lying

I personally and professionally find that pillows are fairly subjective and some of us find the old, well worn and used pillow to be most comfortable whilst finding expensive orthopaedic or posture focused pillows to be uncomfortable. My advice, is to use some of this evidence to assist but ultimately it will come down to a more subjective experience to determine which pillow is best for your individual situation.

As per usual, it is always best to consult a movement or posture professional prior to purchasing any pillows if you are attempting to assist in the management of musculoskeletal pain disorders.