The quarantine fifteen may have impacted so many of us, but is an extra sweaty high intensity exercise routine several times a week the answer? In this episode of The Harley Street Edit we talk to Rick Miller, leading Dietician and Nutritionist based at King Edward VII Hospital, and we discuss the effects exercise can have on the gut and gut health. Emerging and on-going research suggests there is a direct link between exercise and the gut micro-biome, and so it's only natural to add that to the list of reasons why exercise is seen as necessary for optimum health. However, we break down common beliefs in this conversation, and Rick reminds us that too much of anything is never a good thing. Recommending a steady regime to lead to long term changes in weight and improve overall health, while keeping the gut micro-biome happy instead.

This week we talk to Jacina Coyne on why Gua Sha should be part of your practices and be included into self care routines. As one of the original Eastern and Chinese Medicine applications, Jacina explains the origins of Gua Sha, it's initial use, and overall benefits. We also discuss how Gua Sha was circled out of rotation but is now having its time again. With facial Gua Sha and its crystal tools becoming more popular over the recent years, its never been easier to try Gua Sha in your home. A great way to help release stress and tension, Jacina explains how regular Gua Sha at home can help with fevers and colds, to neck pain and migraines. A great listen for anyone who's curious to know more.

Its easy to say individually we will have felt shame or guilt at some point in life, which is why shame and guilt are the two most widely researched moral emotions in the field of Psychology. Yet broaching the topic of shame when linked with sex or sexuality can be anything but easy. In this weeks episode we talk to Sex, Love and Relationship coach Emma Spiegler, from Zoe Clews and Associates, and ask her how sex and shame have become so intertwined. Emma breaks down how generational shame, early experiences and social networks can influence feelings around sex and sexuality; and guides us through the levels of impact this can have. Emma's passion for a new narrative really comes through as well as her thoughts on breaking the mould and redefining how sexuality and self love can look. This conversation tackles the topic head on and challenges us all to broaden our boundaries.

Its said one's crowning glory is their hair and yet still our understanding on how to look after it is limited and sometimes contained to "regular washing" only. In this weeks episode we talk all things hair, scalp and balding with leading trichologist, stylist and salon director Mark Blake. During the conversation Mark debunks hair myths, and offers insider tips on maintaining a luscious mane. We talk about the thinning and losing of hair and Mark discusses the importance of nutrition, the impact of stress and how timing can affect the level of success treatments may have on an individual. Mark humoured the little girl in me and answered my every question with a light-hearted seriousness, and effected change with his responses.

In this weeks episode we talk to Amanda Marks founder and director of Through the Eyes of a Parent. As a breastfeeding, weaning and sleep specialist based at 10 Harley Street she discusses with us the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of asking for help if required. Her soothing, self soothing and sleep protocols come from a place of deep understanding for both the parent and child and her impact has reached hundreds and hundreds of families. Amanda has created not only systems to help parents in a practical way, but she has built a community to support other families in similar situations. A beautiful being inside and out, and her approach and work is truly remarkable. This conversation is an informative one but also wonderfully open and honest, and Amanda gently challenges modern day ideas with her expertise and experience. A must listen for everyone.

Talking why a wholesome outlook to health matters with General Practitioner turned Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dr. Mateusz Pucek in this weeks episode. We speak about how looking at a psychological and physical aspect, as well as and our spiritual connection to surroundings, isn't common place in general medicine. And how taking a mind, body spirit outlook can help to manage illness and chronic conditions. Mateusz kindly sharing his own health journey from being an overweight GP, to facing his fears, to coming to Function Medicine as a way to help others. It was a pure joy to be a part of this conversation, and a truly insightful perspective to owning your own health.

Dental health and sports are two things that wouldn't necessarily be put together however, this week we discuss oral health related behaviours reported by elite and professional athletes with Dr. Saul Konviser of Montague Dental based at Montague Mansions. A study carried out in the 2012 Olympic games found sports professionals to be at a greater risk to oral diseases compared to the average person. Saul explains why this is and what can be done about it. We talk about how custom made protection is the first line of defence in preventing a sports related tooth injury and the long term impacts a dental injury can have on an individual. An eye opening conversation and a must listen for parents and athletes alike.

Fitness is often advised as one of the pillars for maintaining optimal health. This week we speak to James Dabbs, personal trainer, founder and director at Dabbs Fitness based in Marylebone. We discuss why exercise is so important and how it helps with health. Using a holistic performance based approach James has helped hundreds of clients and by discussing some of his case studies he highlights the impact fitness can have on mental and physical health as well as chronic health conditions. His passion has led him to be involved with a charity which works with junior doctors, working to improve how fitness lectures are delivered to doctors and how exercise is advised to patients.

With working from home becoming a long term position for many, doing it safely, without back pain and in a way that promotes productivity is becoming more and more important. In this weeks episode we speak to Vishal Madhani, senior physiotherapist and director at West 1 Physio based at 22 Harley Street. We discuss how to make the best of our home environment for work, and he highlights the importance of posture and body awareness over equipment and stations with intermittent breaks and movement being paramount. Along side this we talk about how to avoid a "Joe Wicks" injury when doing home exercise classes and discuss the transition to a full range of bodily movements as lock down lifts further. This episode if filled with expert advice from a musculoskeletal injury specialist with easy applicable tips on working and working out from home.

With many of us gearing up to return to work in the very near future, Rony Ganguly, chairman at AIHHP and director at Pindrop Hearing, talks to us this week on precautions and measures clinics are taking in response to the coronavirus pandemic. We discuss adaptations to the work environment and what changes are advised to ensure staff and patient safety. Rony also goes into further detail and breaks down how to approach different procedures from otoscopy, microsuction to vestibular test batteries and carrying out home visits. With uncertainty and a level of unknown going forward, this episode aims to inform Audiologists on the published guidelines available and what active previsions are being taken by employers.