This article is sponsored by Kliniken.

Keen runners who regularly pound the pavements know that aches and pains in the knees can be a real problem.

Kliniken, Yorkshire’s state-of-the-art day surgery clinic, has introduced a new procedure that uses stem cells extracted from fat to help heal osteoarthritis or joint pain in the knee and avoid painful knee replacement surgery.

It means that keen runners who are experiencing pain now can have treatment that allows them to run pain-free for longer without having to experience more pain or having to suffer a knee replacement later in life.

How does it work?

The procedure itself focuses on utilising fat stem cells to aid regeneration within the area affected, through use of targeted injections at the problem regions and joints.

This can help those suffering on the spectrum of pain, from a mild ache all the way up to those who may be due to have knee replacements using metal – a far more invasive form of surgery.

If you are experiencing any pain when running then contact Kliniken to see if this stem cell treatment might be the right thing for you.

The treatment avoids painful knee surgery.

Life-changing procedure

The UK’s leading surgeon on stem cell treatment is delighted to be bringing a life-changing procedure to Yorkshire.

Mr Mallappa Kolar’s expertise in stem cell treatments has allowed him to pioneer this procedure for the first time within the UK, aiding patients with often crippling, painful osteoarthritis.

Mr Kolar said:

“Kliniken is the only location within the UK to offer this type of (fat) stem cell procedures. Unlike other procedures available, these pioneering stem cell injection treatments mean the body is healing the body, and it does not involve any metal insertion into the patient’s body.

“Unfortunately, knee replacements cannot be reversed and most younger people who have to get a replacement are more likely to need a revision later in life which is a major undertaking.”

Please call us on 01423 206388 or visit our website at kliniken.co.uk for more information.

This story is sponsored by The Brain Collective.

The idea that you can train the brain to tackle emotional issues, behavioural and developmental problems, and slow the decline of early dementia patients is mind blowing.

Prior to meeting the team at The Brain Collective in Harrogate, I had never heard of neurotherapy. So I was amazed to discover that this innovative approach to therapy was available right on my doorstep.

I visited the impressive clinic at Windsor House, on Cornwall Road, to find out how it became the largest Neurotherapy clinic in the UK.

As soon as I walked in, I was made to feel at ease as I sat down for a chat with the company’s founders, Melanie Adeley and Maria Walters.

When I listened to Melanie’s incredible story, it became clear why she embarked on this journey.

Melanie was up night after night with her son, who was suffering badly with epileptic seizures despite medication and required Ritalin for his ADHD.

In desperation, she joined a support website, Epilepsymums.com in America and came across a world-renowned Neurotherapist called Paul Swingle in Canada who offered an alternative therapy for the brain.

After travelling to Vancouver for neurofeedback training over a period of two weeks he was sleeping through the night, with much improved seizure control. Melanie was sold!

After two further visits to Vancouver over the space of two years and a dramatic improvement in her son’ difficulties thanks to the Neurofeedback training, she launched The Brain Collective alongside her good friend and business partner, Maria.

Now part of a team of six, Melanie and Maria have spent the best part of a decade dedicating their lives to helping others by using the revolutionary and rapidly evolving method, which involves regulating and stabilising the brain.

Melanie, who also works as a Consultant Anaesthetist at Harrogate District Hospital, said:

“We set the company up because we were struggling to find good answers for our own children with the traditional medical approach.”

Maria shared a similar experience with her son, a competitive cyclist, who suffered a significant head injury. After taking part in a Neurotherapy programme his post-concussion symptoms dramatically improved.

So, the pair embarked on extensive training in America amongst world leaders in the field before taking it to a professional level, opening the clinic in Windsor House eight-and-a-half years ago.

However, despite the incredible results, which are completely drug-free, Melanie and Maria said many people still haven’t heard of Neurotherapy and Neurofeedback.

Taking a brain map.

Maria said:

“We spend a lot of time talking to our clients about their symptomatic and functional difficulties and then take a QEEG recording to generate brain maps and gain a deeper understanding of the brain.

“The training plan is completely tailored to the individual because our brains are unique, and nobody has had the same set of experiences in life.”

To date they have helped children and adults with brain imbalances including ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, insomnia, long Covid and brain injuries, including concussion and stroke.

They also help healthy people to “train their brains”, including top athletes, who want to reach peak performance. Essentially, anyone has the potential to benefit from neurofeedback training.

“We offer a wide range of different therapy options to supplement the fundamental Neurofeedback approach, some of which can be delivered remotely when appropriate.

“The Neurotherapy approach offers a drug-free, talk-free, safe, and effective therapy which regulates and stabilises brains to improve the quality of life for a wide range of people when other therapies have failed.

“We pride ourselves in developing an effective therapeutic relationship with our clients to support them on their journey.”

“We track our client’s progress throughout therapy to ensure we can evolve the most effective protocol to get the best outcome as efficiently as possible.”

For more information on how the team at The Brain Collective can help you, visit www.thebraincollective.co.uk or give them a call on 01423 565522.

A proposal to set up a group for women dealing with symptoms of the menopause has received an “overwhelming” response from the community.

Vic Smith-Dunn, who runs Harrogate-based social enterprise MyLifePool, posted the idea on the group’s Facebook page this week.

Within just a couple of hours she had numerous comments from people saying it was desperately needed. With a date for its first meeting arranged, more than 25 people signed up straight away.

Vic said:

“When you go to your GP, they haven’t necessarily been given a full in-depth education about perimenopause. Being able to say, ‘is this a possibility?’ and ‘maybe I could do this or that?’ can be helpful, but where do you find the information in the first place?

“The idea of the group is to share information – it’s about women supporting women.”

The inspiration for the group came from Vic’s own experience of perimenopause, which she said left her worried about her health. However, speaking to other women going through the same thing gave her reassurance that hormonal changes were to blame for her symptoms, including loss of memory and depression.

Read more:

• Private hospital introduces GP services in Harrogate
• New mental health event for men to launch in woods near Harrogate

When the group first meets on May 25, biochemist and nutritionist Linda Le Floch from Quality Health Foods in the Westminster Arcade will give some tips on ways to manage symptoms.

There will also be opportunities for women to submit questions in advance or ask them on the night, and to share their own stories and advice about dealing with the impact of menopause.

The way the group operates will be guided by its members, who will be able to meet for coffee, nights out and other events as frequently as they wish.

Vic also hopes to put on a larger event in future, including information for husbands and partners supporting women through menopause. She said:

“My husband did a whole load of research and got to understand the hormone imbalance so he was able to explain to me what was going on. I just wasn’t able to do that at the time.

“Without that understanding, so many marriages break down because men don’t understand what their wives are going through – the women don’t always understand it themselves.”

To book a place at the event on May 25, click here.

Artizan café, which opened on Cambridge Road late last year, is set to expand to an upper floor.

The floor was initially used for offices and storage space. Due to increased demand, it will now be opened up to the public as an extended café area.

Artizan International was founded by Suzie Hart MBE in 2013.

Ms. Hart will be behind the design of the second floor, which will include the same tiles, mosaics and artisan textures on the ground floor.

The café was introduced to help people with disabilities learn hospitality skills and get into the job market.

Anna Maria Wilson, part-time manager at Artizan café, said:

“It was always in the plan. We are definitely doing it sooner than was anticipated because there was that increased demand.

“We have been so busy, that we needed the extra space. It is beautiful up there, and we aim for it to be more of a tranquil and relaxed area for people to enjoy.”

Although the official date is not yet known, the second floor should be open in a couple of weeks for customers to enjoy.

Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

Specsavers Harrogate is joining the Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service (CUES) scheme

Specsavers Harrogate has announced that it will be joining the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service programme.

Those with urgent eye health issues can visit the store for treatment under the CUES scheme.

The service was launched to reduce pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients with urgent eye issues and in need of treatment will now be able to visit Specsavers Harrogate to have vision checks, which will be covered free-of-charge by the NHS.

Robert May, optometrist director at Specsavers Harrogate, said:

“The Cues scheme has been set up as we have the expertise and equipment in-store to deal with a range of eye-related emergencies.

“We’re seeing around one hundred customers every week through the scheme, which is definitely taking the pressure off the NHS’ services and waiting times.”

You can find out more about the CUES scheme here.

Read more:

• Health officials warn of 12-hour waits at Harrogate hospital A&E
• New restaurant and bar to open on Harrogate’s King’s Road next week

Two Harrogate businesses have raised over £1,000 for a six-year-old Bilton boy with a rare bone marrow disorder— and the cheque was presented to his family by Marvel superhero Iron Man.

Doors Direct and The Red Box post office in Bilton have been raising money over the last year for Archie Flintoft, a five-year-old boy who has Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

The condition means his bone marrow doesn’t create the red blood cells he needs to survive.

Only 1,000 people worldwide have the condition and Archie needs to go to Leeds General Infirmary for blood transfusions every three weeks just to stay alive. He also has to travel to London for a special check-up two or three times a year.

Two years ago mum Vicky set up a Facebook group called Archie’s Army, where followers can keep up with what Archie’s doing and support fundraising projects that pay for his specialist care. But since covid, it’s been difficult to raise money.

Read more:

• Appeal launched for Bilton boy Archie’s life-saving treatment

• Starbeck and Bilton post offices raise almost £2,000 for local boy

Sean Clarke, managing director of Doors Direct, dressed as Iron Man to pay tribute to Archie’s bravery and hand over the cheque. Alongside was Andrew Hart from the post office.

Archie was also given an Iron Man costume of his own to wear.

Iron Man with Archie.

Archie’s Army thanked the two businesses on Facebook:

“Doors Direct and Andrew and the team at The Red Box have worked so hard this past year fundraising and supporting Archie’s Army and their latest raffle fundraiser raised a further £1,044 for us.

“We can’t thank them enough for everything they have done from fundraising, raising the profile of Archie’s Army (particularly after being quiet over covid) and the amazing care and support they’ve shown for the whole family, we are very blessed. Thank you all!”.

A total of 58 patients have now been discharged home after being treated for coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital.

The figure is up by seven from 51 last Thursday, with one patient who was treated on a ventilator having gone home last week.

pic.twitter.com/JhhohAKP8L

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) April 23, 2020

Meanwhile, the latest figures from NHS England confirm there have been no further deaths reported by Harrogate and District NHS Trust in the last 24 hours, leaving the total number at 36. Last Thursday, the number of deaths stood at 26.

Across England, 514 deaths were confirmed today, in patients aged between 31 and 100. Of those, 16 patients had no known underlying health conditions.

The figures released only include those who have been tested and treated in hospital. Deaths elsewhere, such as in care homes, are not included.