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When & Where
10–13 June 2008
Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate

Two conferences for one fee
You can attend two conferences for one conference registration fee, as the College and its Specialist Section – HIV/AIDS, Oncology, Palliative Care are running their conferences together in 2008. This unique opportunity gives you a wide choice of sessions from two conferences to meet your CPD needs. You can learn more – whether it’s about HIV/AIDS, Oncology or Palliative Care, or indeed, many other areas such as mental health, older people, children, housing adaptations, learning disabilities, and so much more.

Attend these two conferences and you will:

• Hear from the world’s leading health, social care and end-of-life care experts
• Discuss current and future legislation and policies with national and sector leaders
• Meet fellow professionals to share best practice
• Return to your practice with new approaches
• Discover the many career options available
• Meet over 80 companies representing products and services for the profession.

Who should attend?

• Occupational therapists
• End-of-life and long-term conditions care professionals
• Health and social caremanagers and policymakers
• Occupational therapy researchers and innovators
• Occupational therapy support workers and technical instructors
• Educators with an interest in occupational therapy
• Suppliers of products and services in health and social care
• Students
• Service users

For more information on this event, visit the BAOT/COT website.

Walk to Work Day was recently held in London last 24 April 2008. Physiotherapists supported this event as a great opportunity to kick-start a more active lifestyle and help prevent health problems, such as obesity, heart disease and lower back pain.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy gives us five top tips for walking to work:

1. Kit
This is vital if you’re going to have a healthy walk to work and avoid any damage to your posture through unsuitable shoes or bags. Wear comfortable shoes and socks – if you wear high heels, walk in trainers and change at work. Carry a sturdy rucksack over both shoulders to spread the weight evenly over your body, making sure the straps are pulled short enough for the bag to fit snugly against your back.

2. Posture
Posture isn’t just about standing or sitting up straight, it’s also important when you’re moving. When walking, look straight ahead and don’t slump your shoulders. Pull your tummy muscles in as far as you can and then release them by 50 per cent. Hold them at this halfway point while you are walking to keep your spine well supported. Release them if you start to feel any discomfort and start again when this passes.

3. Stride
If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking it’s important not to get into bad habits. The correct stride for healthy walking is a heel to toe gait. As your foot hits the ground it should land on the heel and follow through to the toe. This may sound obvious, but you might be surprised by how many people do it the other way round.

4. Attitude
After a while, walking to work should become a habit for you, rather than a novelty. This means walking to work rain or shine. You may need to change your routine slightly, such as setting your alarm earlier if walking adds time to your journey. Get yourself a waterproof jacket and an umbrella for those wet days, and tell yourself that with every step you’re doing your mind and body some good by being more active. Try taking different routes to work so that your walk doesn’t become tedious.

5. Progression
Don’t push yourself too early and get discouraged. Start by just walking to work as the awareness day suggests. Or walk half the distance and catch public transport the rest of the way, doing the same on your way home. Alternatively, park further away from work than usual and then walk in. Once you’re used to it, you can progress – e.g. walk the whole way to and from work, or try beating your personal best time.

So put on your best walking shoes, get out there and start leading a healthy life. And while you are there don’t forget to stop and smell the silk flowers.

Source: CSP