My Achillies Rupture

For those of you who know me personally, you'll know that I'm constantly on the go! As well as enjoying being a busy Mum, my Day Spa is my passion and Beauty Therapy runs through my veins.
I am currently running 3 businesses, my first love being 'Cove Spa', second 'Splash Alchemy Make Up' and more recently 'Merrilyn Davey Meditations', to which I am currently editing and mixing, creating a wonderful future library of unique Spa pieces. Yes, I survive on very little sleep.

With 3 very sporty active children all of Primary School age, their extra curricular activities are enough to create a full time job in itself! My daughter graduates next week and I have also put together the entire Year 6 graduation video. Throw in a husband who loves building and designing houses who often requires my interior design ideas and likes to move house regularly and you could say my life is certainly never boring. We have been having 'Home Opens' every Saturday for almost 2 months during my injury, whilst building two other houses! So if you're not exhausted yet, read on.

So throwback to that fateful day late September... my husband Jon who is involved at the local Footy club, had our sons' wind up and was helping present medals to the team, whilst at the same time, my daughter had her Netball wind up in Fremantle. We started with a 'parents vs kids' game. I was enjoying playing GD in the first half as it had been awhile! It was lots of fun and the parents were starting to get a bit competitive. Then, as I ran out to block a centre pass, I felt the muscle on the back of my leg literally go 'BANG' and I fell to the ground. I honestly thought my opponent had tripped over me and accidentally kicked me hard in the back of the leg, but I've since learned that that is how it feels when you tear your achillies!
How embarrassed was I when they bought out the wheel chair on court! All I could think was, "Noooo!! This only happens to OLD people!" Well at 43, I'm having to come to terms with the fact that I'm officially middle aged and as much as I still feel young, my body is telling me otherwise. Thankfully my sister and brother-in-law came to my aid and drove me home that day, little did I know that my drive to Fremantle would be my last driving experience for the rest of the year!

So after the official shock diagnosis of multiple high grade tears of the Achillies Tendon with less than 10% of the tendon fibres still intact, I was given the option of a surgical repair or a splint. Apparently achillies tendons are the slowest to heal and I'd have been back on feet way quicker if I'd broken my ankle! Dr Gerard Taylor from Sportsmed Subiaco said that had the tendon been completely severed, surgery would have been the only option, but the few tiny fibres still hanging on were enough to provide some scaffolding to allow for it to slowly repair itself, so I opted for the splint as I have every confidence that my body has good healing abilities.
The vaco-ped is apparently fairly new technology, only having been around for a few short years.
http://foot.oped.com.au/vacoped/

It's a seriously big, heavy boot that starts off at a 30 degree incline and is gently lowered over time to a neutral position. So basically my toe was pointed downward to shorten the tendon, pushing it back together. It has been with me day and night now for 3 months. That first week is still intrinsically imprinted in my brain as being the week from hell. I felt so claustrophobic wearing it at night, I remember waking in the middle of the night in a mad panic thinking that a shark had hold of my leg! And hanging it back down from the bed in the mornings, the blood would rush back down towards my toes and that was actually the most excruciating part, in fact way worse than the original injury. Showering was also a challenge, so Jon bought me a large plastic stool to sit on which made it easier.

Thankfully over the course of those first weeks, that part improved, but the crutches I found very frustrating as I couldn't carry anything around the house unless it was in a backpack. The boot was also very heavy and having to hold it up all the time made my hip joint ache. So I bought a knee walker and Ohhhh the freedom!

Having a single level house and polished concrete floors was perfect because I could get around very quickly while having free hands for cooking, cleaning and all the household chores. The only downside, was after 8 weeks, my knee constantly being bent and taking all the weight was not very happy with me. However by that time, my boot gone from 30, to 20, to 10 degrees and finally made the neutral position which meant that I could begin putting some weight back on my foot using the boot, which meant the knee walker went into retirement.

2 weeks on and my foot by night, swells to double its size as it gets used to moving again and going any great distance is near on impossible, however I am excited to find out next week exactly when I'll be officially finished with the boot (fingers crossed by Christmas) so I can start some proper rehab. The muscle next to my knee is almost concave now, as is my calf, so according to the Doctor it'll be another 3 months before I'm properly running on it again. Other than that first week when the blood drained to my toes in the mornings, the following 6 weeks were relatively painless. These past 2 weeks I've been quite sore and swollen as I've probably been pushing it by walking way further than I should, but hey it's December and there's lots to do. It'll be interesting to see how I go once the boot officially comes off... I might just crack open a bottle of bubbles to celebrate!

Poor Jon has almost worked himself into the ground having to drive me around and do all the extra jobs I can't do, so he has had an equally frustrating time. But as grumpy as he's been, I love and appreciate him more now than I ever have! My mum has been wonderful helping me out with housework and shopping and my support crew at Cove Spa have been terrific, helping out with all the little things and even ferrying me around a few times, as have my immediate circle of friends. Having such an understanding and helpful support network has kept me positive and in-check when I've fallen in a heap and I can't thank them enough!

So I dearly hope to get back to driving and some normalcy by January next year. Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sent 'thinking of you' messages and offered to help, and my apologies if I've sometimes forgotten to respond amidst the chaos. It has certainly been a challenging few months but it feels good to be at the tail end!
If you know of anyone who has a similar injury, there is not much written about what to expect on the internet so please feel free to share my experience if you think it will help.
Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas!

Love Jocelyn Derecourt
www.covespa.com.au
www.splashalchemy.com.au

Cove Spa Introduces Mindful Meditation

Cove Spa Introduces Mindful Meditation

I think we all know that aging is a multifunctional process. Whilst good skincare and nutrition are vital to promote healthy skin, we are also reliant on genetics and environmental influences. One of the number one environmental factors that can increase the physical effects of aging, is stress.

My beloved Cove Spa has always been first and foremost a sanctuary for nurturing treatments and healthy skin, so it makes perfect sense that I should continue to find ways to assist our guests to reach deep relaxation, not only for the body through massage, but also deep relaxation for the mind. For some time now, I have been researching various ways meditation has been used to reduce stress and my research lead to an emerging field of research called Psychodermatology.

Simply put, Psychodermatology studies the effects of emotions on the skin as well as skin disorders. The use of Psychodermatology in isolation is questionable, however as part of an overall approach to skin wellness, it makes a lot of sense. When people feel emotionally strong there tends to be a glow about them. I know you care about what you put on your skin, I know you care about the food you put in your body, but what are you feeding your mind and what effect does this have on your skin?

Proudly, with a magical affirming voice-over from Merrilyn (our highly experienced, in-house holistic therapist), I have developed a new compilation exclusive to Cove Spa, which will harmonise the energy flow between your mind and body. But to take it one step further I have incorporated this Mindful Meditation within selected spa treatments to heighten the essence of wellness within.

Often without even realising it, we engage in thoughts like "I'm not perfect, I'm not pretty enough, I'm not skinny enough, I'm not good enough," all of which put even more stress on our minds, bodies and skin. More positivity brings less stress, and more happiness. Incorporating Mindful Meditation with messages of positive re-enforcement of your inner beauty, will not only leave you feeling physically renewed, but also mentally renewed.

As we become more aware of how our thought patterns affect our exterior beauty and overall health, it is my belief that the use of Mindful Meditation will (and should) become a big part of the beauty industry.

I am excited to be able to bring this to you first, at Cove Spa. Your beauty therapist will place earphones over your ears during selected spa treatments and whilst you are receiving your spa treatment you’ll listen for up to 20 minutes to customised, meditational style messages, that will transcend your mind to the ultimate place of stress free relaxation. It will start you on your path to skin health and ultimately leave you glowing not just on the outside, but from the inside too.

Jocelyn Derecourt.

Mothers Day Gift Ideas Perth 2017

With 3 x primary school age children and a thriving business, you could say I'm a fairly busy MUM! I am super proud of my kids and my award winning business, Cove Spa in South Perth.

In fact without the help of my husband Jon and my own super-mum aka 'super-nan', I wouldn't be able to juggle so many balls at once!

Every year we have a traditional family picnic on the Swan River for Mothers Day and I gift my own super-mum with a voucher to Cove Spa, not because 'I can', but because I know it is something she looks forward too every year... an opportunity to be rested and pampered, her favourite treatments being a Facial, Massage and Pedicure.

Cove Spa Special Mothers Day Spa Packages for 2017 include:

The Urban Retreat $150

For the Mum’s whose back and feet ache, the’ll find pure relaxation for 75mins here in our tranquil retreat.

• Deep Cleansing Back Exfoliation
• Back of Legs/Foot Massage
• 15min Back Massage
• 20min Replenish Facial

The Perfect Getaway $300

What do you get when you combine two Cove’s signature spa treatments – The Perfect 2.5hr Cove Spa Getaway for Mum

• Spearmint Foot Bath & Scrub
• Cove Sixth Sense 60min Body Massage
• Cove Evoke Facial
• Choose either an Eyelash Tint OR Eyebrow Shape
• Anti-Ageing Hand Treatment

Decadent Escape $450

Allow Mum to escape from the endless chores, to be pampered from top to toe for a decadent 3.5 hours

• Cove Sixth Sense 60min Body Massage incorporating hot stones
• Premiere Perfection Anti-Ageing Facial which includes:
• Deep Cleansing Enzyme Peel
• Hydrating Facial, Shoulder, Neck & Scalp Massage
• LED Light Therapy with Relaxing Foot Massage
• Lifting Oxygen Elixir
• Mini Pedicure

Be coloured matched with a beautiful Splash Alchemy Beauty Balm Foundation & Lip Colour Product of your choice to take home.

Why not spend some quality time with your mum and book your spa packages side by side and share the experience together. Bookings and gift cards available online www.covespa.com.au or phone 08 9367 1877.

Wishing all the Mum's out there a wonderful Mothers Day on the 14th May and I hope you all get thoroughly spoilt and pampered!

Summer is Lemongrass

LEMONGRASS...

One of my all time favourite essential oils is lemongrass! 

I love its fresh citrus aroma. It conjures images of exotic destination Spa Retreats I've had the pleasure of visiting ...massages, palm fronds, warm sunny skies, the ocean gently lapping nearby and the gentle scent of lemongrass! Paradise!

So this Summer, Cove Spa will be filled with the scent of Lemongrass as we try to recreate blissful relaxation within our urban oasis....

Lemongrass also has the following benefits:
It is uplifting and inspiring, increases mental clarity, can reduce pain and inflammation, makes a beautiful healthy hair and scalp blend, as a tonic it assists the digestive system, can kill fungal and bacterial infections and is a terrific insect repellant, not to mention adds a fabulous flavour to Asian cuisine!

I am in the process of making a beautiful lemongrass and spearmint body spray which will be available in-spa soon. As a body spritz it will lift your spirits, relieve fatigue, help with jetlag and energise you. When life gives you lemons, lemongrass is the answer! The perfect pick me up, with a bright refreshing scent.
I have also created one for you bug magnets out there who are looking for natural solutions, (rather than toxic chemical pesticides with DEET) using citronella and lemongrass. Unfortunately this natural alternative is not guaranteed, however mosquito's love my daughter and extensive testing on her definitely deterred these annoying little critters. I also find wearing this spray on my morning runs helps to keep peskie flies off my face.

So if you enjoy the natural qualities of aromatherapy and the benefits of lemongrass as much as I do, you'll love this Summer at Cove Spa and I hope we can take you on your own ideallic sensory journey, through the power of lemongrass.

Please be advised that the pure 100% lemongrass essential oil should not be applied neat to the skin and may cause skin irritations. Pregnant women, those with kidney/liver disease, anyone taking oral diabetes drugs, or anti-hypertensive medications, as well as those who are diabetic and hypoglycemic should consult their doctor before using.

Could our mobile phone be accelerating our ageing?

I was out at dinner with a group of close friends the other night and the conversation turned to mobile phones and where we leave them at night time. 

The shocked gasp of disbelief at me charging my iphone on my bedside table at night went something like this, “OMG Jos you are crazy! Do you know how dangerous it is to sleep near your mobile phone!”

But my addiction to my iphone was too great to even contemplate the idea of switching it off or housing it in another room and I laughed them off for being overly dramatic. After all, I rely on my iphone alarm to wake me up most mornings.

In bed I check the weather forecast for the following days’ most appropriate attire, I check for any last social media posts or emails. I type up tomorrow's 'to do' list in the notes section. I add in a couple of school dates I’ve forgotten to the calendar. Sometime later whilst listening to my husband snore, a wave of inspiration and work ideas swamp me like a tsunami and so again I reach for my iphone. (And when my eyes are too tired to focus on the screen, I’ll sleepily call the Spa and leave reminders on the voicemail for the staff… I'm probably sounding like a workaholic too now.)

So you see, my iphone is very much my reliable PA and the idea of leaving it in another room leaves me with major withdrawals.

That being said though... that electrical buzz that I can hear in the air when the house eventually falls completely silent has been playing on my mind. (Along with my good friends anguish at my possibly detrimental phone usage.) So last night, I googled Electro Magnetic Field Radiation in iphones, hoping that it might just say that switching to 'airplane mode' at night may be a safe enough alternative. Well it turns out that while this will lower the emissions considerably, it is still not the best solution.

EMF Radiation (Electro Magnetic Field) seems to be bad news unfortunately and the Australian Govt recommends that heavy exposure to EMF's be avoided if possible. The phone companies say their mobile phones emit radiation levels within the legal 'safety parameters' however mobile phones have several transmitters that can simultaneously emit microwave radiation, which include Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radiation. When all these transmitters are turned on, these safety levels come very close to that legal limit and that value is only tested when the phone is more than 5mm away from your body. If these levels were tested from your hand or in your pocket or worse still down your bra like I've seen some crazy ladies do, most mobile phones would fail the SAR test as the radiation absorption increases dramatically when the phone is close to the body. 

While there has never been proof of EMF Radiation causing cancer, or numerous other suggested health concerns, could you imagine if that were ever proven? If the EMF’s are really causing degradation of our biological cells, think of the accelerated ageing on every organ, including our skin! My kids are ageing me enough, now my iphone could be accelerating ageing? EEK!

It poses the question, will the big tech companies in the future find themselves in the same boat as cigarette companies now and be served with law suits and forced to label everything they sell with warnings? 

I am certainly no expert and I'm only sharing what I've read, however I am allowed to have my opinion and that is that the heat and buzzing produced by my iphone and ipads cannot be beneficial for my family, nor myself and after surfing the net for information on EMF Radiation it leaves me feeling concerned and I’m quite sure I’m not alone. So from now on I am definitely making some changes and hopefully if you haven't already made some, you will too.

I have decided to invest in a very unstylish but supposedly ‘EMF safe’ iphone case and I will be doing away with my night time PA and replacing it with a good old fashioned notepad and pen and a tick tock wall clock... because really, who needs a pretty diamond studded iphone cover and the soothing sounds of a harp to wake up to, when you can look after your health with a safe but dreary phone cover and wake up to loud, crazy children like I have!! …. coffee anyone?

Cove Spa: The Beauty of Lemons

Cove Spa: The Beauty of Lemons

The Beauty of Lemons

I recently received a huge bag of lemons from my Great Aunt who is lucky enough to own an enormous lemon tree in her beautiful garden.

At this time of year, lemons are in abundance… and I like to think that this is mother natures way of looking after us at a time when colds and flu's are prolific!

The good old lemon is a great source of Vitamin C and does wonders for our immune system.

First thing in the morning I squeeze half a juicy lemon into my water which I drink before I’ve even thought about breakfast and the long list of ‘to-do’s’ that come with getting 3 kids out the door to school and running a small business.

So far, touch wood both I and my family have avoided any dreaded lurgies going around, so I'm feeling very enthusiastic about lemons!

So what does lemon juice do, other than give a good hit of natural Vit C? 

Lemon is also very alkaline in the digestive system which is a great way to ward off a myriad of other health issues. Problems like arthritis, cystitis (most of the ‘itis’ words) stem from inflammation within the body which can sometimes be caused by an acidic system. 

The other great thing about lemon in water is that it helps the kidneys to assimilate water better so that you stay rehydrated for longer.

The production of collagen in the skin requires Vit C so lemons are a great source of anti-ageing!

Antioxidants are abundant in lemons so they help repair damage caused by free radicals.

So next time you go into the beautiful Cove Day Spa and wonder why we ALWAYS have lemon water on offer on our buffet, you will understand why J beauty starts from within!