Why I love my job :)

It has been such a fantastic week !!!! 

Two amazing stories have made the week easier to get through and the last stretch of 2015 achievable ! 

1. Patient X came to see us after receiving chemotherapy . Before being diagnosed he was walking 7km and cycling 15km. After chemo he couldn't walk one block without getting short of breath. He came to see me to get stronger and try and get back to where he was. 

This week, after a mere 2 months of Biokinetics, we discharged him as he was now able to do his 7km comfortably ! What an awesome achievement for him and what a satisfying feeling for me ! 

2. Patient Y suffers with fibromyalgia and has some really good days and some really bad days. She complained to me that if she gets down on her haunches to collect something off of the floor she cannot get up again and has to shuffle to the closest item of furniture to haul herself up. 

This week she said to me : "By the way, I can stand up off of the floor ! It's not easy, but I can do it !

Yay, yay, yay !!! 

It's the simple things in life that we can do that we take for granted until we can't do them anymore :( 

The satisfaction of helping my patients achieve their goals, whether big or small is immeasurable. It's stories like these that get me out of bed when it's too cold or I feel like a lay in.

To you, my fighters, who wake up each day and soldier on I say bravo ! And I say thank you, thank you for allowing me to help you achieve what you thought impossible ! 

Contact us today to see how we can help make a difference in your life !

Mumtaz - 0824481890/ biomcg@gmail.com  

The importance of First Aid

Biokineticists have been asked to update their First Aid to level 2. So whereas previously having a Level 1 was good enough we now have to hold a Level 2 First Aid certificate.

And so I headed to my course.

At the end of these courses you always feel that no matter how equipped you think you are when an emergency presents itself, no one can predict what will happen. Keeping this in mind, here are a few pointers you can take note of if ever you are faced with a bad situation.

1. Never ever administer medication to anyone. You don't know their history or what other medication they are on.

2. Always put your safety first.

3. Who do you call? - If you are certain that the patient is not on a medical aid do not call a private ambulance as this can result in huge costs for the patient .
IMPORTANT NUMBERS :
082911
084124 - This is the Discovery Medical Aid preferred provider
112
10177

4. If a child is choking never turn them upside down and try and shake them.

5. It has been proven that woman are more likely to stop breathing due to choking because they are too embarrassed to cause a scene - so Rule number 1 here is get someones attention and make sure they know you are choking

6. If someone is in shock let them sit or lie down and cover them with a blanket. DO NOT give them anything to eat or drink including sugar water.

7. If someone is having a heart attack , do not let them walk, even if it is just to the car or to the chair as this uses oxygen and they are struggling to to breathe!

8. Signs of a stroke - Face pulls to one side, Arm gets numb, Speech is slurred and sight is blurred. The biggest thing for a stroke patient is getting them medical attention as quickly as possible. We may think so, but most of the time, headaches are unrelated to a stroke.

9. DO NOT put keys into the mouth of a person having a fit.

10. And lastly but most importantly, whatever you do, get help quickly !

Disclaimer : These are only pointers to assist and maybe save a life.
Do not do CPR or administer First Aid if you are NOT TRAINED!

Are you strong enough?

On Sunday 29 March 2015, 1800 athletes braced themselves and headed off to the start line to compete in the Standard Bank Ironman.

The race includes a 3.86km swim, 180.25km bicycle ride and a 42.4km run!! Impossible? Not for those amazing athletes that completed on sunday ! With the winner, Frederik VAN LIERDE completing it in just 08:16:34!!! Even more remarkable, the womens winner Jodie Swallow came in, in a time of 09:26:56! 

My fascination with the human body is what led me to my career path. How far can we actually push ourselves? For me, Ironman is a clear indication of just how far that is. No doubt the race is gruelling and taxing on the body, but with the right training, nutrition and lifestyle, it CAN be achieved! The body is remarkable and when put to the test it sure does perform!

My lifelong dream has been to complete the 94.7 cycle challenge - which I have, twice now! And then the Ironman adverts appeared on TV...NEVER STOP MOVING FORWARD! so I have registered for my first, mini triathlon and with perseverance I know I shall conquer... !!