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We support self-employed healthcare professionals by removing the stress from admin duties. My Health Assistant gives you the perfect marketing tool and a virtual office so that you spend less time on business duties and more time helping patients.
Build a package tailored to you – need help with your tax return? We’re on it. Don’t want the PA service? No problem! Everyone we work with is professional, supportive and informative – we’re focussed on giving you the confidence and tools you need to succeed.
Thinking about self-employment to increase your income but unsure where to start? Contact us and let us guide you through the process.
Sometimes self-employment can seem daunting or lonely, but not with My Health Assistant. Join the family today - we are here to help you every step of the way.
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Whether you work in the NHS or privately, My Health Assistant can support you. We help healthcare professionals to feel like part of a team rather than isolated while working solely or remotely. You get all the tools to give you the confidence to succeed in one place. We’re here to hold your hand, every step of the way.
We have professionals from a wide range of services including:
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All our healthcare professionals can download the My Health Assistant app to keep track of appointments and enquiries on the go.
Can A Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?Sciatica affects up to 40% of people in their lifetime. It’s a condition that can be debilitating in some cases, with common symptoms including pain, numbness, and weakness. And, while in most instances it gets better in 4-6 weeks, some people struggle with ongoing or reoccurring sciatica over a much longer timeframe.If you’re struggling with sciatica and looking for a treatment option to ease the symptoms, there are a range of options open to you. Seeing a GP might lead to a referral for pain medication, physical therapy, or even surgery in extreme cases. You can also consider other treatments that fall outside of the traditional medical remit. Chiropractic care is one such option.We’re here to explore the relationship between sciatica and chiropractors, providing you with information that might help you to decide whether to seek chiropractic treatment. What is sciatica?Sciatica is the name given to the symptoms caused when your sciatic nerve is compressed, pinched, or otherwise irritated. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back to your feet, so sciatica tends to affect the lower body exclusively. It’s also often only experienced on one side of the body, since the sciatic nerve splits in two to run down each leg. The symptoms of sciatica vary from person to person, but typically come in the form of pain, a tingling sensation, numbness, or weakness affecting the bottom, back, legs, or feet. These symptoms will generally be worsened when moving, sneezing, or coughing.Some of the most common causes of sciatica include a herniated disk, a bone spur, or a narrowing of the spine. Essentially any injury or condition that causes a change in the body resulting in pressure being put on the sciatic nerve can cause it. It will typically resolve itself within 4-6 weeks, but when it doesn’t it can be difficult to tolerate. While severe sciatica makes up the minority of cases, left untreated it can lead to long-term sciatic nerve damage and other side effects. Considering chiropractic care for sciaticaChiropractors work with people suffering from pain or stiffness in the bones or joints. They use techniques called adjustments to re-align the body and relieve pain. They can be thought of as experts in the neuromusculoskeletal system, which basically means they know a lot about how bones, muscles, and nerves.Since sciatica revolves around problems with a nerve, and often results from issues relating to bones, it stands to reason that chiropractors are a common choice for alternative treatment for people with sciatica. Chiropractic care for sciatica can come in a range of forms, including:Adjustments – A chiropractor may be able to ease a herniated disc back into position to take pressure off the sciatic nerve using a spinal adjustment.Spinal decompression – Chiropractors often use a technique called spinal decompression to relieve the compression of nerves along the back, including the sciatic nerve.Chiropractic exercises – Aside from providing direct treatment in the form of adjustments, chiropractors can also recommend exercises that can help release sciatic nerve pressure.Chiropractic care isn’t a traditional medical route, and wouldn’t typically be seen by medical professionals as a first-line treatment for sciatica. However, there are some studies that seem to indicate that it can be effective in limited ways, including by relieving pain.In one study from 2014 assessing treatment options for people with leg and back pain, participants who received spinal manipulation from a chiropractor had less pain after 12 weeks than the control group. They also used less medication up to a year later.Another study, combining the analyses of 11 different research articles, also found that chiropractic care can be an effective form of pain relief for all types of back pain, including sciatica. And, since chiropractic treatment is generally considered to be extremely safe, according to a review from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there aren’t any likely side effects to seeking it. Other methods for relieving sciaticaThere are a range of other non-medical methods of gaining relief from the symptoms of sciatica. These aren’t well-researched, and so don’t constitute medical treatment, but have amassed popularity regardless:Build back strength – Low-impact exercises that strengthen the back or core, such as crunches, can improve the support your spine gets and reduce sciatica symptoms.Stretch the hips and hamstrings – Tight muscles in the areas that sciatica affects can worsen the symptoms, so stretching muscles in your hips and hamstrings can provide temporary relief.Use heat and cold treatment – Ice packs or heating pads can be another way of gaining temporary pain relief when sciatica symptoms flare up. Finding a chiropractor to help with sciaticaWhile it’s always recommended that you seek medical attention before making a decision about treatment for sciatica, if you’ve decided to pursue chiropractic as a way of getting pain relief, you’ll need to find a chiropractor.You can search options near you with My Health Assistant, find a professional who suits you, and book directly through our platform.
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Private healthcare in the UK often carries misconceptions that it's exclusively for the wealthy or requires expensive insurance. However, the landscape of private healthcare has evolved, offering more accessible options than ever before. Modern advancements and innovative platforms are reshaping the accessibility and affordability of private healthcare services, making them a more viable option for a wider audience. Here we dispel some of the widespread myths surrounding private healthcare. Is private healthcare worth the cost?One common misconception is that private healthcare comes with exorbitant costs. While it's true that some specialised treatments can be expensive, many private healthcare providers offer a wide range of services at competitive prices, making them accessible to a broader spectrum of individuals. Additionally, with the introduction of online platforms like My Health Assistant, individuals can easily find health and wellbeing professionals tailored to their budgets. This shift has transformed private healthcare into a feasible option for a more extensive audience. Can I still use the NHS if I see a private doctor?Absolutely. You can mix NHS and private care, and this will not effect your place in the NHS ‘queue’ - for example, if you pay a private consultant for an expert or second opinion, you can be referred back to the NHS for treatment without having to see an NHS consultant first. The NHS won't pay for or subsidise any private care, but you will remain entitled to your NHS care and it will always be free, except for things like prescriptions. In response to the increased demand for mixing private & NHS care, the Department of Health and Social Care issued guidance which states that you should receive your private care at a different time and place from your NHS care whenever possible to maintain a clear separation between the two. Can I get private healthcare without insurance?Yes. You don't need pricey medical insurance to access private healthcare services. Self-funded individuals can directly approach private healthcare providers, bypassing the insurance middleman. This approach can provide greater flexibility in choosing treatments, professionals, and appointments. That said, private health insurance can be a way of spreading these expenses over time, but be sure to know the facts on what your policy does and does not cover, particularly with relation to pre-existing or chronic conditions such as diabetes and some cancers. Many employers now offer private medical insurance as part of their employee benefits package, it’s worth checking with your employer to see if you are covered. Do I need a GP referral for private treatment?Another misunderstanding is that a GP referral is obligatory for private healthcare. In reality, many private healthcare providers accept self-referrals, allowing patients to take control of their healthcare journey. This approach provides financial flexibility and empowers individuals to tailor their care to their needs and preferences. However, if you have private medical insurance and intend to claim for the cost of your treatment, be sure ask your insurer if they need a referral before going ahead. What are the benefits of private healthcare in the UK?The main benefit is that most aspects of private healthcare, from diagnosis to aftercare can be obtained much faster than on the NHS. Private healthcare empowers patients with the ability to choose their healthcare provider and treatment options, which fosters a patient-centric approach to healthcare. You may also be able to access certain new treatments and medications that are not yet available on the NHS. Beyond the commonly sought medical treatments, private healthcare in the UK also offers a diverse range of services that may not be widely available on the NHS, such as personalised nutrition consultations, hypnotherapy and acupuncture. Conclusion The landscape of private healthcare in the UK has evolved to be more inclusive and accessible than ever before. With reasonable pricing, options for self-pay patients, and the flexibility to tailor treatments to individual needs, private healthcare has transcended its stereotypes. By understanding the modern reality of private healthcare, individuals can make informed decisions about their healthcare journey.
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Increased portion sizes could be one of the contributing factors to the rise of obesity (1) significantly in the last 30 years. It’s hard to sometimes know if we’re plating up the right portion sizes for us as, there are many contributing factors that influence how much we eat during the day like our energy expenditure, hormones and emotions.Rather than being rigid around your portion control (i.e. measuring your quinoa right down to each grain, and counting calories) as this can create feelings of restrictiveness, instead, it’s a good idea to have a better understanding of how to balance your plate and what that looks like and also introduce mindful eating techniques, lets deep dive into both of those now.What does a balanced plate look like?When thinking about what we want to eat it’s important to remember the famous four, carbohydrates, protein, vegetables and fats. (please refer to the nutrition guidelines for more information on each macronutrient, vitamins and minerals). Including a variety of all four of these food groups, is going to help us fill full but also satisfied and also optimise our nutritional intake.Aim for ½ of your plate to include non-starchy vegetables, ¼ of your plate carbohydrates and ¼ of your plate protein, with 1 serving of fat per meal. If you are vegetarian 2/3 of your plate should have on starchy vegetables and a 1/3 carbohydrates. Getting into the habit of including all four food groups on your plate, can help you also when you’re not always in control of what you eat (for example if you’re eating out). It can help to influence our choices and choose something on the menu which aims for a well-balanced meal. I appreciate that sometimes the size of the plates can alter so a great way to help gauge these portion sizes is by using our hands as a serving guide.
Read moreMy Health Assistant can be used as an additional marketing tool for business generation right through to a full virtual office ensuring your time is focused on patients and not admin.
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