In the final part of this series, we explore how hormonal transitions impact performance, recovery and overall wellbeing. One important and often overlooked stage in this conversation is perimenopause and menopause, a time where many women experience significant changes in how their bodies feel and respond. I had the privilege of spending an hour on a Zoom call with Tania Dalton, an experienced health coach who is deeply passionate about supporting and energising women throug

Hormones influence far more than reproduction. They affect energy levels, recovery, injury risk, and how the body adapts to training. We explore how different hormonal stages influence performance and what athletes can do to support their bodies. One important factor in this conversation is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), a condition that can occur when energy intake does not meet the body’s training and physiological demands. This can occur in BOTH females and m

Your menstrual cycle isn’t just about your period. It’s a monthly rhythm of hormonal shifts that can influence energy, strength, coordination, recovery, sleep, and even injury risk. As osteopaths, we look at the whole person, structure, function, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and load. Your cycle is part of that bigger picture. Understanding it can help you train smarter, not harder.

Foam rolling has become a staple in modern recovery culture. But beyond the ritual and the relief, what is actually happening in the body? And does it truly improve recovery in a meaningful way? Let’s unpack it.

Recovering from an ACL injury can feel overwhelming. Whether you tore your ACL playing sport, had an accident, managed it surgically or conservatively, the path back to movement, strength, and confidence is more than just doing exercises; it’s about how your body and mind work together to heal.

Cold plunges (also called ice baths) involve sitting in very cold water for a short time, usually two to three minutes. But beyond the hype and dramatic videos, what do they actually do? And are they really good for muscle recovery?

This principle was originally described by Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, who observed that changes in how a structure moves (whether a joint, a muscle, or even the way someone breathes) can influence how that area functions. Modern research now supports the idea that mechanical, neurological, and physiological systems interact in complex ways, and that movement, load, and flexibility can influence comfort and performance in everyday life.

Osteopathy has been around since the late 1800s when its founder, Andrew Taylor Still began exploring new ways of understanding the human body and how it functions. From these observations, he developed a set of guiding ideas now known as the four principles of osteopathy. Modern Osteopathy practice grounded in current research, contemporary pain science, and evidence-informed clinical reasoning, however these 4 principles still provide a useful framework.

From Osteopath Gemma Ahrens The holiday season is finally here! A time of year filled with sunshine, catch-ups, celebrations, family chaos, Christmas shopping,  and maybe one too many end-of-year parties. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and let’s be honest, it can also feel a bit   overwhelming. As an Osteopath, this is the time of year when we often see people running on fumes. Tired, stressed, dehydrated, and wondering why their back pain has suddenly flared, carrying all the Chri