Costa Women Blogs

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It's never too late for a new start!
The last two years I’ve learnt a lot on my journey of self development! One of the most important lessons is that it’s never too late for a new start! I read a story of an 80 year old woman who decided to start a ministry! Also KFC started when colonel sanders was 65!! I also heard a great saying, don’t look at the years you’ve lost, look at the years you have left! It can be so distracting to start a new chapter if you are constantly thinking well I’ve wasted so much time already, why bother now! Because we only live once that’s why! My boyfriend owns the Real Estate South Spain Properties, often I’ve watched him selling and he’s always said you could do this because you’ve learnt so much from my conversations! I always got excited at the prospect of doing it but always said no I’ve never done sales, I’m no good at it! I also was afraid to take a chance and risk failure! Well did you know the guy who made the dyson Hoover made 5127 prototypes before getting it right! I’ve wasted many years not doing things out of fear and anxiety! The problem was the more I didn’t do things , the harder it became. A lot of times I didn’t even want to leave the house for fear of having to talk to someone and not having the right thing to say! 99%of the terrible stuff we think might happen, never does! We can easily think the worst of a situation and find it hard to think the best case scenario! I think social media is making it worse with its fake posts that make us feel like we have to have the perfect lifestyle, be millionaires and make money sat on our bum on Instagram all day! We can’t change unless we really want it! That’s why I got sick of life passing by, feeling like I had no purpose and had to make a change! So the last 2 years has been a journey of building confidence, self esteem and writing books about all I’ve learnt! I did my first beauty pageant in 2018, pushing myself right out of my comfort zone (nothing builds confidence than being judged for how you walk on stage in a bikini)! Since I knew I needed confidence to pull this off, I attended my first Costa Women event solo (before I’d make a friend go with me). It was the Marbella central meeting and I’ve been going ever since, meeting new people and making new friends! I then went from staying home most days to aiming to make it to the office 5 days a week, then from sitting in a corner to working on reception greeting customers. To now feeling too comfortable and needing more of a challenge (they say if you stick in your comfort zone you are not growing) So finally I am as the book says feeling the fear and do it anyway, I am taking on the role of a proper Real Estate Agent! So business cards are ordered, I am learning as much as I can and the only way to go is forward! So this is my new start and I hope to get to even more events in the future to help me on my journey! If I can go from not wanting to leave the house to selling houses, then you can achieve anything you set your mind to! It’s never too late for a new start! With that being said please keep me in mind if you are looking for a property in Marbella. Our website is www.southspainproperties.com , if you look on google we have plenty of 5* reviews from happy customers! Also if you are interested to see what books I have available go to https://www.amazon.es/l/B07KW8QMVF?_encoding=UTF8&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref_=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1&rfkd=1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true I hope this inspires you to chase goals and not let fear stand in your way! See you soon Emma
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Costa Women Meet ... Elisa Card
Our latest ‘Make it Happen’ interview is with Elisa Card – Entrepreneur and Founder of ElisaCard.com (and Mum to 5 boys).  Elisa’s mission is to “Show the World and particularly Women, that no matter what & no excuses, if you have a Passion or just a tiny bit of Dream, IT IS ALL POSSIBLE!”   Hi, everyone, thank you Ali for inviting me here on your programme, very thankful. I’m Elisa, I am born 100% optimistic, positive all the time.  I call myself a ‘be-creative’ five-sons-Millennial-mom, an Entrepreneur, a goal-setting achiever and a spiritual being with Love and Hopes for a better and happier world. My mission is to help women, mothers to transform their lives with a specific mindset using their potential to be happier, healthier, and wealthier! And so, it shows in the entire Family!     Elisa, how did your professional journey start? It all started overcoming intense challenges: it started from scratch TWICE in my life.  24 years ago, I was a single mom at that time.  I was living at my mom’s tiny apartment in Paris with my five toddler-sons, the last one just born, after leaving the toxic relationship I was into for ten years, I had no job. I felt questions. How to escape this desperate situation? At that time twenty-four years ago, when hurricanes blew up my life, destroying everything that I had, home, friends, and of course no financial support, I realized that my life or the Universe was telling me, ‘Hey girl, show us, it’s time to run the show’!  And my adorable mother sent me ancient scriptures from the Bible. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them? Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, They are like treasures. This text boosted my trust in the Universe, and a new inner power was growing within me, which I didn’t know I had. I was 33 at that time and pregnant with my fifth son while getting ready for the most significant and astonishing change in my life. I was already a mother of four sons with the last one to be born soon – with a vast white page in front of us, still to be written. I used my imagination, my intuition and my creativity and I became an entrepreneur from scratch. That’s how I started my entrepreneur journey! And again, 3 years ago, when I had a calling, I was a PA personal assistant to VPs in IT information technology, the new tech industry, during 6 years, to feed my family. Recently, I had a calling to create what I have created today. And it was during struggle time too, I was bored, I had outgrown the PA role… again the Universe sent me messages to move forward.   What were your business roadblocks, and how did you overcome them? My first roadblock was being a single mother of five sons, living at my mom’s, I was blessed to have that! The support! I was fine! It was serene nevertheless.  So, my only core vision and mission was to create a new life of abundance under the sun for my five sons and me. However, I didn’t know how!  Again, the Universe; every day I saw through this tiny frame at my mom’s tiny apartment, (it seems like everything was little in Paris! And it was) except for one thing: my Dream!  It was saying: “Everything you request in your prayers, have faith, and it will be granted to you.”  When I started to apply this sentence into my everyday life, with faith, things began to shift in a HUGE way. All roadblocks disappeared. This is what I now teach my clients, do everything with Faith. From one idea, I became an entrepreneur, I created a high-end furniture & decoration items import business from Paris, France, to the USA. Our life became extraordinary! Our dream became a Reality. Everything fell into place, like a puzzle. When you start a business you need, suppliers, law adviser, clients, marketing, it all came and fell into place. To remove roadblocks: LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION I have a post on my website regarding intuition.  Soon after, we were flying, the boys and me, back to Texas, where we settled down with my brand-new-business. Within one year, I reached a 6-figure business. Our life had changed tremendously – both my inner life and my outer life!  Building strong inner confidence, using my potential with the happiest, most positive, and compassionate mindset. I have made a video recently called: ‘How to amplify the results you want in your life, to live your life to the fullest’       Who, or what is your business role model, and why? Before starting elisacard.com happy2succeed journey, 3 years ago, in my life, I looked up at René Angelil, Celine Dion’s husband and agent.  This man did outstanding things with Celine’s voice with kindness, with compassion towards everyone, and with generosity. If you remember him, the way he spoke, very calmly yet achieving a lot. Also, Wayne Dyer and Mary Kay – The Queen of Beauty – same kindness, respect, generosity,… different business, same way of conducting it! After a meeting toxic people in your life, you want to spend your days with kind, wholehearted people and harmony, peace, and Joy. This is what I am creating; this is what I create.       Tell us about #Happy2Succeed #happy2succeed came to me as a message, I wanted to create an Elisa Card hashtag, and this one came to me that to reach more success (and success means according to your success-definition, in your success-frame) it all starts with being Happy. With a big H., it’s Harmony mind-soul-body!   On your website you talk about a ‘universal mindset’? A universal Mindset is being in HARMONY with our Universe, being aware and conscious, using the most positive energies: the basic component of the Universe is Energy and the most powerful energy is LOVE As spiritual beings, our Happiness is a virtue with curiosity and an open heart, plus kindness, emotions, wisdom, leadership, truth, calmness.  Being conscious of your mindset makes all the difference. I am very concerned with who we are and the footprints that we want to live behind us. It is now time to be. Be free, be you, be happy! It is time to speak up, to stand out, and to realize a world with more happiness, peace, and freedom, starting with ourselves. This is my philosophy of life. From as young as I can remember, I’ve always appreciated every second of my life, no matter the circumstances. My cells and soul have always vibrated in harmony with kindness, positivity, drive and love. At a time when the words were not known yet like ‘Emotional Intelligence’ and ‘Mindfulness,’ I was already quietly thinking in that way. Now, all my professional activities (blogging, writing, speaking, private coaching, radio talk podcast, YouTube channel videos and the  ‘Happiness to Success Academy’ etc.) are in alignment with what I have within. Happily, conveying this powerful message to women all over the world.   What is your next adventure? It is already in the calendar, I love meeting with women and teaching them what I know.  It is a beautiful vibrant full day event here in Marbella, on June 20 2019 “Success, Serene Women” Happy Mind Happy Life! at La Plage Casanis. The link is on the Costa Women site. Also on my website https://elisacard.com/events/     What book did you read in 2019, which made a difference in your life and why? I have read many – ‘Crushing It’ by Gary V, but my favourite is Wayne Dyer’s books – all of them! One, in particular, is 10 gems.  It’s 10 principles to live by. It’s beautiful!   What is your superpower? My superpower is kindness plus optimism, I thought it was not a quality, but now I know that my superpower is LOVE and I share my calmness, my compassion, and my drive for the well-being of others!   Something you will achieve in 2019? Connecting more face-to-face with more women is the most important, with events, more important, bigger events! and exclusive retreats. And a book!   How can we best connect with you? There is my website www.elisacard.com I invite all listeners to grab free advice on how to start their day to be happier!   FOLLOW ME & SAY HI ON SOCIAL: Site web: https://elisacard.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtzgTV5AAFJpy_2LTVgHQ  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisacardhappy/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-card-happy/ Page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElisaCardHappy Twitter / https://twitter.com/elisacardhappy Email: contact@elisacard.com
What is the buying process in Spain?
Ok so you have been thinking of buying a property in Spain either researching or holidaying there for a while and you are now trying to search for a property. The best way forward is to make a plan. The first thing that you must do is ask yourself questions to establish your personal criteria. So start by thinking about and writing down the answers to the following questions. You need to discover what is most important to you about buying a property in Spain, to make the very best of your valuable time when you come to view. What are your options when buying a property in Spain? Are you seeking to relocate permanently? Or will this be a dream holiday home? Are you looking for an unbeatable investment? It is best to know from the start. Although you may change your mind later. Which are your preferred areas when buying a property in Spain? Where do you want to be? Do you love the sea or the country? Do you want to be in a town or a city? Do you already have a preference? Are you not sure? We are happy to discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each area. Deciding where you want to be is probably the best place to start. We can provide you with detailed information on each area. We are happy to show you around different areas to help you decide on the best place to settle. Again when you arrive you may change your mind if you have not been here before this is normal procedure. What property type will suit you best when buying a property in Spain? What type of property do you envisage yourself living or staying in? Is it an apartment or contemporary new villa? A country finca or village townhouse? Or do you want to keep your options open? A B&B or an equestrian facility? We’re here to help with every request. We are happy to show a selection of each to discover which your preference is. Remember in reality the properties are normally slightly different to the pictures on the internet. Have you decided on a budget for your purchace? Have you established a budget? Is it flexible or set in stone? Do you require finance? We endeavor to provide you with properties that offer great value for money. We will negotiate the best price for you and arrange finance where necessary. What are your needs and wishes when buying a property in Spain? What do you expect and desire from your new home? What are your own individual requirements? Is a pool a must? A garage? Walking distance to bars and shops? Stables for horses? Do want to reform an old property? Or do you want a brand new home or off plan property? Or is livable for now and do up gradually a consideration for you? Do you require panoramic views? We will take all of these expectations into account and choose properties to view with these requirements in mind. Once you have a written guide to your personal criteria you are ready to start looking. You will need to find a knowledgeable real estate agent to work with …. Of course, we would love to hope that you give us a try first and we will do all of the searches on your behalf once we have your criteria. We have access to all of the live properties available as we work with the other 2000 agents on the Costa Del Sol through an MLS System. We can request paperwork to check the legalities and other important issues such as water and electric connections and check the registrations of the properties. Your lawyer will do all of these checks for you once you find a property that you would like to purchase but we can save you time and heartache by narrowing it down beforehand and providing you with suitable properties to view. Other options are searching portals and other agent’s websites. You will find that you keep seeing the same properties where ever you are looking as all agents share properties that are on the market. You will need to Source a reputable independent lawyer that is experienced in the type of property that you are purchasing. You can look online or we can provide you with lists of reputable local lawyers in the areas that you are searching. If you require a mortgage you will need to meet with a Spanish bank or finance company. We can recommend you brokers and bank details to apply to. Before you send any money to Spain you will need to sign up with a currency transfer company. There are many currency companies and it is best to look at which ones are giving the best rates at the time that you are about to purchase. Your viewing schedule If you live here in Spain we can normally arrange viewings for you with 24hours notice. If you are coming from abroad then you need to set a date for when you are coming to investigate the areas and properties. Are you all set and ready have you been researching and scouring the internet and now have a refined list of prospects to see? Or would you prefer us to tailor a range of options and appointments to view based on our experience of your preferred areas and property types? Get your flights booked and arrange accommodation. Let us know in advance so that we can set up all of the viewings for you on your favorite properties and introduce you to any service providers that you may need. We can help with flights and accommodation bookings in our area if need be. Call Victoria Monkhouse on 01268 941 086 Homecare Support Customer service is important to us, after sales advice and care, we are always available today, tomorrow and long after you have moved into your new home to provide you with help and support. Property Management and general services Seeking holiday rental income? Want help with your cleaning? Is it a gardener or pool maintenance you need? Wish to consult an Architect? Want to talk to a Builder? Need a Landscape Gardener or Interior Decorator? We know where to turn. We can recommend reputable local service professionals. By the end of your viewing trip ideally, we will have found your dream property. So if you are in a position to go ahead then the buying process begins.   What is The Buying Process So let us start from the beginning … Just so you are aware of the buying process before you go any further. I will be helping you with your search for a property as explained above. Once you have found a property that you like and decided that you want to go ahead and make an offer on a property I will forward the offer on your behalf. You can offer whatever you feel is comfortable for you and your personal circumstances but I will advise you based on feedback that I already have from the vendors. Be aware that Spanish vendors are not normally as open to offers as other nationalities. Some vendors may have mortgages on the properties and will need to cover their costs. Due to the crisis from 2007 onwards, many vendors will have their prices reduced by up to 50% of the price that they may have paid. A general rule of consensus is to offer between 5-10% less than the asking price. Though every case is different. Some vendors will only accept the asking price. At this point, it is normal to state any requirements as to what is included in the purchase such as furniture etc. After negotiations and on the agreement of a figure for the purchase between yourselves and the vendor it is normal in Andalucia to sign a reservation and deposit contract that is first checked by your lawyer and then to place a reservation deposit of either € 3000 or € 6000 with your lawyer. It will then be held in an escrow account or passed on to the agent or developer when your lawyer is satisfied that the paperwork is correct. Once the vendor has signed this contract they are obliged to remove the property from the market. Some contracts have penalties in place others do not you will need to check with your lawyer. You can request that the contract is subject to certain conditions such as: subject to a mortgage approval, AFO or subject to a survey etc. Your lawyer will start all the searches and check the documents to make sure that the property is owned by the said vendor, is duly registered and legal. That there are no debts or charges on the property, the cadastral value and the services that are in place. It is often helpful for you to provide the lawyer with as much information about the property as possible such as information from the agent and photos. An inventory of what is included in the sale can be drawn up at this point and added to the contract. In many circumstances, little things come to light at this stage that can in most cases be rectified between the lawers. It is important to use a reputable lawyer that is experienced in the type of property that you are purchasing. This process takes about 2 weeks in general. If a mortgage offer is necessary it can take up to 6 weeks as a bank valuation will be required. Once the lawyer is satisfied with all the correct paperwork he will prepare a private purchase contract to be signed by both parties. This is the binding contract in which both parties agree to the sale/purchase of the property. Both parties agree on a date of completion – which can be anywhere between 1 to 4 months in general. At this point, the purchaser pays the vendor 10% of the agreed purchase price minus the reservation deposit. Finally, on the agreed date for completion, the new title deed is signed upon completion in front of the Public Notary and the keys are handed over. If you have applied for a mortgage the mortgage title deed will also be signed in front of the Public Notary upon completion. Your lawyer will then ensure all of the following: Register both title deeds with the Land Registry Pay the Public Notary fee Pay the Public Land Registry fee Pay the legal taxes at Malaga Tax Office Set up all necessary direct debits and standing orders from your new bank account in Spain Set up utility contracts, local taxes, rubbish in your name For an extra fee, you can request a Spanish will but discuss this with your lawyer. The above information is just a general idea of what happens from my experience. For full legal advice, you will be able to have a consultation free of charge in most cases with the lawyer of your choice before you make any commitments or sign anything. The type of contract for a new build or off plan property is slightly different: Once you choose the new home you want to buy, the first thing the developer will ask you for a deposit, usually € 6,000 – € 10,000 Send this deposit first to your lawyer so that he can check out the credentials of the developer first. The agreement should be subject to preliminary legal checks, mortgage loan available on the property and a building survey, the deposit should be returned if there are problems. Always Check with your lawyer before reserving a unit. New build payment schedules Reservation Deposit: € 6,000 – € 10,000 Down Payment: Usually 30% Balance in installments or upon building completion If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me Nikki Powles 00 34 654 091 051. You can check out our website at www.propertyinspaingroup.com  
Feeling the Earth's Heartbeat Rising in Vibration...
  Each step I make IAM conscious of radiating my love down on Mother Earth, being grateful for her support and for nurturing me like a great wise mother does, receiving her love as I breathe to her harmonious rhythm pulsating through me and all life.   I’ve not always felt her heartbeat, it is a deep hum in the background of my life, similar to a mother singing to her child, keeping her well and safe. I became conscious of it during my journey into the depths of myself living in Mazarron in Spain, as my Human surrendered more to my fears and pains of duality and untruths of not being good enough, unworthy, poor me etc.   I’ve been writing for years about the Great Shift of Consciousness… sharing my own experience Awakening, Integrating and Embodied Ascension or Enlightenment of how massive amounts of light are pulsating down onto Mother Earth and Humanity from the cosmos and beyond… with only one thing in mind! To expand our consciousness and CHANGE our biology makeup… rebooting Humanity in a new way back to our natural state of being pure light consciousness. Ready for a second incarnation (without having to physical die… only dying to the Human game or ego) and experience a new adventure right here on the Earth plane.   I’ve enjoyed reading and researching a wide range of scientific, philosophic and spiritual information… sensing what resonated with my knowing and I continue to enjoy how quantum physics and new information is now coming into mass conscious-ness… confirming what I have written before.   Back in 1952 a Professor Schumman recognised the Earth’s hum as a 7,83 hz electromagnetic pulse or sound wave and it’s been known as the Schumman Resondance ever since. I’ve enjoyed observing how the Earth’s harmonic beingness has slowly risen over the years, as she opens her heart wider and wider to receive the down pouring of light and feed the light through to all her creatures on Earth.   You can imagine a mothers electromagnetic pulse embracing her children, making sure her happiness transfers to her young, she makes sure their hearts are opened wide… to receive the love… ensuring their strength and dependance for their journey ahead as sovereign and self sustained beings of enormous power and magnificence.   During the Dec equinox of 2018 I felt Mothers heartbeat rise and go through the roof… my heart took a massive pulse, opening like never before, allowing me to perceive more of the big picture. My husband Tom began to feel unpleasant symptoms with his (old heart condition) that landed us in the emergency room in the New Year. We are still playing the waiting game to discover what they say has physically happened AND in the mean time we both practice a heart opening exercise and receive our highest light and potential to live a most loving and harmonious life.   You can subscribe to watch my weekly live videos on u-tube to join me for some Quiet Me-Time, relaxation with the conscious breathe and heart opening practices. Subscribe to Barbara’s U-Tube Channelling.   The Rising of the Schumman Resonance   2014 levels of 15-25 hz Jan 2017 levels of 36 hz Dec 2018 levels over 40 hz 2019 to levels over 60 hz AND April 5th 2019 reached 96hz!   Early May Earth’s heartbeat took another leap up through 60-70-80-90 to 96hz… and we, as electro-magnetic beings felt this too in some way as our hearts were opened wider to receive more extreme light and as Lisa Trancendence Brown says… we are going higher and higher… woo… expanding the love… take care of yourselves!   So now you know why you have and are feeling tired, out of control, having extreme mental, emotional and physical pain. You are going through a great Ascension process, naturally expanding consciousness, releasing all your yesterdays of conditioning and allowing Divinity, the light body to fully come into your physical body/mind and change your biology from a carbon based to one of crystalline.   Nobody is being left untouched and the more unconscious you are, the more darkness and fear you hold… the more unwell you will feel.   So when you read my writing about what on Earth is going on! You now have more proof, so to speak, about how we are naturally changing and preparing for a new adventure beyond everything known.   And listen more careful, understanding my message of how it’s time to love yourself first and fully, to take Quiet Me-Time and relax, step out of the Human Game and allow this natural process to take over and lead you into new pastures.   The only way to get through this time in all ease and grace is to surrender completely to the Divine part of you, to listen to your heart and intuition and step further in each moment trusting it is your way.   I copied below an old linear scheme of hertz sound waves, showing how the different waves help our body relax, live and evolve. You can notice the Gamma Waves go beyond 40 hz, to increase perception and learning new ways of being.   The Gamma Waves are now becoming our new relaxed way of being… as we continue to climb higher and higher as loving vibration… there is no going back, the celebration has truly begun and we are quite literally dancing lightly like the birds as our body consciousness, body, mind & spirit holds more and more light.   Delta Waves… 0-4 hz Deep Relaxation, Rejuvenation & Regulates unconscious body functions (heartbeat, digestion, etc) Theta Waves… 4-8 hzRestorative sleep, Intuitive, Natural, Creative, Emotional connection Alpha Waves… 8-12 hzCalming, Relaxation Beta Waves… 12-40 hzConscious thought, Logical thinking & Focus Gamma Waves… 40-100 hz Increases perception, learning new material & information processing   I have copied a couple of links I find interesting… for you to read more fully and follow the heartbeat too.   What does the spike in the Schumann resonance mean?   Barbara Franken… Creative Visionary & Master CreatorInspiring New Energy Consciousness & Multi-Dimensional Living A paperback and Digital Book is available from all Major online stores… Amazon and Apple   I share my own magical journey, exploring Who I AM with the help of nine Elemental Beings and expand from a world of fear, struggle and limitation into a New Energy Consciousness of love, grace and freedom. It is in this loving space that I discover my Divine and ALL LOVING self and allow myself to integrate together as one Body Consciousness… a DivineHumanBeing… and Magnificent Master Creator who expresses and creates heart and soul passion on the physical plane and beyond.   Join my MasterCreator Class and emerge yourself in the celebration of life through dance, song, art, relaxed inner journeys and beyond everything known… preparing yourself for your NEW role on New Earth.   There is no time like the present moment to Sign Up and give YOURSELF this magnificent gift… More Info: MasterCreator Class     All the money raised from my books and classes go to my non-profit association The Magnificent Consciousness that holds free local projects in Benalmadena, Spain.
Ask for Angela
Ask for Angela is a safety campaign for anyone (male and female) who feels unsafe on a date or a night out. They can discreetly use a code word (Angela) and staff at the venue support that person by getting them to a safe space. The aim of this campaign is to reduce sexual violence and vulnerability.   How does it work?   It works by allowing customers to ask your staff for ‘Angela‘ if they feel uncomfortable with the company they came with, and the staff will call a taxi or help this person leave discreetly. That’s all.   What is involved?   You will receive posters advising the client go to the bar and ask for ‘Angela’, and that the bar staff will know you need help getting out of your situation, and call you a taxi or help you out discreetly – without too much fuss. These posters are to be placed inside the toilet cubicles for discretion. You will also receive a simple sticker to be displayed at your entrance indicating you are a ‘Angela’ friendly bar. You will be sent a further poster outlining what staff should do if approached for help which should be posted visibly in a staff only area.   It is vital that staff are aware of the campaign, and fully understand what they are required to do.   Who is taking part in this campaign?   This campaign was launched in 2016 in Lincolnshire, and has grown from strength to strength across pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants all over the UK as well as internationally in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Further enquiries to use this campaign have been made from Canada, Argentina, Germany. And now South of Spain. This campaign is supported by the British Consulate in Malaga.   Why sign-up?   Hayley Child, Sexual Violence & Abuse Strategy Coordinator for Lincolnshire County Council, came up with the idea and is delighted with the response it has received. “We’d seen that a few individual pubs around the country had done similar messages at the bar saying that if people’s dates weren’t going well the bar staff would help and call them a cab,” she said. “We wanted to do this in a more organised way.” Some pubs have reported customers telling them that they feel more safe and relaxed in their establishment due to recognising the campaign. Hailey Child also said the popularity of dating apps like Tinder meant more people might find themselves in difficult situations, adding that “feedback suggests having the scheme in place makes people feel safer”.   How to sign-up?   You can sign-up to take part in this campaign simply by sending an email to kristiina.nimmo@fco.gov.uk or alberto.perez@fco.gov.uk.  Easy as that. We will supply you with posters and stickers for your establishment.
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The A-Z of Knee Pain
Knee Pain – it seems so simple but it can quickly become so confusing! Getting good advice based on the latest research can be tricky!  Still got questions – attend our FREE seminar on Knee Pain – Wednesday 19 June 11.30 The knee is the largest joint in the body. 4 bones more than 20 muscles each with a tendon 4 major ligaments as well as many little ones and at least 3 layers of cartilage. Here’s my A to Z of knee pain Arthroscopy An operation to “clean” inside the knee joint. Results of a 10 year study reports that arthroscopic surgery results are NO better than placebo surgery!! Sadly, despite this monumental finding, thousands have this operation every year. Bakers Cyst Swelling at the back of the knee which can make walking uncomfortable and compromises movement. Cortico-steroids Usually given via injection these are to temporarily reduce inflammation (and therefore pain). They are NOT a long term solution, just a short term emergency pain relief. There is increasing research suggesting they can damage joints if used long term. Diet Visceral fat (the fat around the tummy) increases joint inflammation. More weight also puts more load on joints like the knee.  Extension Getting the knee straight is of critical importance and is often the first movement to go.  This is what causes the limp. A bent knee can then cause hip and back problems as the whole lower body is out of alignment. Feet Your knee is the biggest shock absorber for every step you take, so if there is shock or twist from the feet, the knee is going to take the strain. Correcting the feet can relieve the strain on the knee, reduce pain and prevent the situation getting worse. Glucosamine With chondroitin was recommended to help “lubricate” joints. Recent research suggests it may not be that effective and movement is more effective (and often free!) Hips Pain from the hips is often referred to the knee and vice versa. Make sure both are checked before starting treatment! Ice Numbs the pain and reduces swelling. Wrap an ice pack or frozen peas in a damp cloth, to prevent ice burns, and apply for 10 minutes every half hour.   Joint Replacement When the knee is replaced with a titanium joint. People are often refused if they are “too young” as the replacements often only have a lifespan of 5 – 10 years. Consider this as a last resort! Knee Movement Full range of movement matters. Matters to how you walk and therefore the effect on all the other muscles and movements in your body. Get strong and straight and pain reduces Limping If not corrected, limping can cause problems in the back and hips. These problems can’t be resolved until the knee problem is fixed. Magnetic Resonance Therapy A German technology for the treatment of osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease. This treatment strengthens and reinforces the cartilage, ligaments and tendons in the joint. It reduces inflammation and pain, allowing you to get your exercise regime going. We have over a 90% success rate for knees! Nothing Unfortunately waiting for it to “go away on its own” doesn’t always work, especially as you get older. It is always best to be proactive, the sooner you act the easier, quicker and more effective treatment is. Orthotics The dreaded “things in your shoe”. Fortunately technology has moved on and they are now slim and discreet enough to fit in the shoes you already own. Physical Therapy American research shows that exercise significantly improves movement and reduces pain in the knee.  The 1st muscle to lose strength in any knee problem is the quadriceps so focus these. Exercise is not easy at first but get advice and persevere! Stretch and strengthen! Q Angle Correction: The angle formed by your thighbone and shinbone through the knee cap when viewed from the front. If you are knock-kneed or bandy-legged this angle is wrong, putting extra pressure on the knee and increasing wear and tear Referred Pain Getting an accurate diagnosis is critically important! Pain in the knee can be referred from the hip or the feet and without an accurate assessment, treatment is a waste of time as you are not treating the true cause of the problem. Supports Are not all created equal! It is important to get the right one for your knee problem and the activity you want to do. New specialized techniques using tape are also effective. Elastic supports stifle the circulation and restrict movement. Tissue Engineering Or stem cell regeneration. This is a new surgery technique which implants cartilage from elsewhere aiming to stimulate cartilage re-growth but has mixed results to date. Ultrasound Used by physiotherapists, this therapy uses sound waves to reach deep tissues and increase blood flow, relax muscles and aid healing. Viscosupplementation Injections of hyaluronate into the joint to lubricate it but not cure it. The injection can be painful and only offers short term pain relief. Water Exercising in your swimming pool takes the weight off your knees. Over and over again research shows that exercise can reduce knee pain, and is a MUST! X-rays And other investigations can give you a clearer idea of how advanced the problem is. Always make sure you get the right investigation for your problem, this should follow a detailed clinical assessment. Youth Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome can affect teenagers and youngsters as they grow. Often misnamed “Growing Pains” it’s simple to reduce the pain and onward symptoms. Zig Zag Left knee and right hip? Left ankle and right knee? Pain that started in the left knee and moved to the right? Shooting or stabbing pains? All signs that a more thorough assessment is needed as the root cause might not be where you’re feeling your pain today. For more information on knee pain check out our website www.TheBodyworksClinic.com, our Facebook page “Bodyworks Health Clinic” or attend our FREE seminar on Wed 19 June at 11.30 – places are limited so please book to get a spot!
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