In this week’s episode of Thoughtful Thursday, we start off with some sad news, the pod takes another break, Michael has the penultimate thoracic vertebra, and we have a water-based, river-themed plug.

Clinic Updates
We believe most of you have been informed in clinic, but for those we have missed, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news – Team Fulham is losing Sammy, who is heading back to Australia. On behalf of all the team, we wanted to give Sammy a very public pat on the back and a big THANK YOU for all of her help in looking after everyone at Fulham. So thank you, and we wish you well when you get back down under!

Her last day in clinic is Thursday, June 3rd and she is pretty busy until then, so get in touch ASAP if you’d like to see her before she goes.

But don’t worry – Mike and Silva will be picking up some extra shifts to look after you all, and I'm currently in negotiations with Michael, of Tooting and Vertebra of the Week fame, to bridge the gap until the summer, when a new chiropractor will be joining the team.

Staff holidays
Zara from Team Tooting is currently away until Friday, May 21st.

Bank holiday Monday, 31st May
Fulham – Open morning (Mike)
Tooting – Open morning/lunch (Zara)
Marylebone – Open morning (Katie & Massage)
Kew – Open evening (Gopal)
Putney – Open morning (Bryan) – please note we will be closed Sunday 30th

Podcasts
The Chiro.London Pod, proudly fuelled by Ground Coffee Society, has taken the week off as we stole all of the space with our previous announcements! But you can always check out the greatest hits on our website, Spotify, Apple and Google.

Vertebra of The Week
We’ve almost made it to the end of your thoracic journey! There are just two vertebrae left in Michael's tour of your thoracic spine, so without further ado, here’s…

T11
The nerve from T11 supplies the kidneys, the ureters (the two tubes leading urine to the bladder), the bladder, uterus and ovaries. So it seems logical that an interference to the nerve at this level might be related to problems in those areas, but the effects can reach far further.

The kidneys, ureters and adrenals are also organs that affect the skin, and skin conditions such as acne and eczema could be linked to issues with these organs if they don’t function correctly.

Random fact: for koalas, this is the last of the thoracic vertebrae. However, all other members of the marsupial family have 13!

Shameless Plug of the Week
Firstly, congratulations to Margaux R for winning the oils and diffuser from last week’s newsletter, courtesy of the lovely Laura @flaurish! Your house is going to smell great!

This week we have a bit of a change of pace an interesting plug from Katie for those looking for some alternative fitspo in a social environment…

Not quite comfortable hitting the gym yet but keen to get out and exercise? Then perhaps a ‘Learn to Row’ course might be something to consider!

There are a few excellent clubs on the tideway in Putney and surrounding areas that offer short programmes, with the option of continuing on (if you enjoy it as much as I do!). Plus, with the weather being what it is at the moment, I personally can guarantee it has been glorious out on the water!

While the rowing seasons run from September until July, most clubs will accept beginners up until October. But if you want to get stuck in sooner, there are a few clubs that offer short ‘Learn to Row’ courses (around 6-7 weeks) such as:

Barn Elms Boathouse – The next round of beginners’ courses starts in June
London Rowing Club – Courses commencing this month
Fulham Reach Boat Club – Next available course begins in June
Vesta Rowing Club – Runs a summer ‘Learn to Row’ course during the off-season for 7 weeks during July.

Great news is, there's no need to worry about capsizing into the river Thames, as the boats these clubs have on offer for beginners are practically tanks!

If you’d like to know more about my experience with novice rowing, feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks for that, Katie. Must admit it looks so peaceful seeing the rowers go past in the mornings. That’s it until next week, enjoy your indoor restaurant dinners and see you next Thursday!

Drew