Hi,

Welcome to the November Diamond Valley Brain Centre and Back in Action newsletter. I'd like to start this newsletter by asking you to define what health is to you. Is it just the absence of symptoms? That is how it is usually defined.

But how does that fit in with the person who has narrowed blood vessels in their heart, but no symptoms yet? Or the person with

the small tumour that hasn't grown large enough to show. They are clearly not healthy, yet are symptom free. The underlying truth is that symptoms are a bad way to judge your health.

How else can you measure health? Before you can measure health you have to define it. For a start it is multifaceted. Health is a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing. For me it would be clear thoughts, the freedom to express my emotional being, a connection with the divine however you define it, and a body that I can rely on and that is functioning to its best. You may have a different definition. But most would agree that health is much more than the absence of symptoms.

Our first article this time is on how to be fit and sharp at 90! More of us are living to 90 plus. Planning for being able to enjoy it is important. Being alive at 90 is no good if you are living in the fog of senility or trapped in a dysfunctioning body. Read the article to find out more.

Also at this time of year I get lots of people in with bad backs due to gardening. So I've included an article on how to look after your back while in the garden.

Thanks to those who made it to my talk at Diamond Valley Library on Keeping your Brain Young. The feedback from the talk was very positive. If you couldn't make it, there is a podcast on our site along with a pdf transcript, or ask me next time you are in for some tips.

See you soon!

Matthew D.Holmes DC DACNB

What do you need to do to be fit (and sharp!) at 90?
What about planning for your physicial and mental health in retirement? Beyond paying the medical insurance bills... more

Pain Free Gardening!
A common problem that occurs eventually with many gardeners is back pain. This is usually brought on by many years of incorrect and risky back use and abuse... more

Podcasts and past newsletters.
Click for our podcast with accompanying transcript, and past issues of the newsletters..