Staying active and looking after your spine 13th September 2022
Staying active and looking after your spine
Summer is coming to a close but there is still time to pack in some fun activities, and to look after your back. With the day trips and the excursions, the holidays and all of the fun, you might be feeling worse for wear and your back may have taken a little more than it can handle. If this sounds familiar, we have some tips to minimise the damage, and to make sure you can enjoy what's left of summer right the way through to next spring.
Summer is filled with fun, and with fun normally comes a lot of movement - or a lot of driving! Now, this is all well and good but these things can take their toll on your back and other areas, so keeping them in tip top shape is super important.
The demand on the back is pretty great, so looking after it can have a huge impact, and slight changes can also make a world of difference. So, having said all of that, here are some ways you can look after your back and your spine, while having plenty of fun along the way.
Lifting with care
While you might be lifting kids, lifting camping gear, and all manner of other things, it is important to lift properly so as not to strain your back and your neck, as well as everything else in your body. Make sure you are bending from the knees, and have the proper stance when you’re lifting anything, even if it is a football off the ground! Avoid bending forward, and make sure you are squatting down to lift with care.
Mindful movement
Being thoughtful about how you’re moving can lead to a happier spine and a happier body! Think about the activities you are putting your body through and really make a conscious decision whether or not they are going to help you. Things like intense hikes every day of the summer or an abnormal amount of movement could actually put more stress on your body, so just be careful and consider what your body needs from you.
Beware of the long drives!
We love an adventure, but sitting in the car for long periods of time does your body no good. Plan in regular breaks to stop, get out, and take a walk, and make sure you stay hydrated too along the way. Small changes that will have a big impact on the body, and you will get to see some of the best service stations in the UK along the way - it’s a win win!
Take care of what you have got
Remember to take care of what you have got. We all might wish for new knees or new hips but we only have one body and we need to really take good care of it. Throughout the summer, and the rest of the year, see what you can do to give it a little more TLC than you usually would.
If you’re already feeling the toll of the summer, book in with one of the team to see how we can help. From chiropractic to osteopathy and massage therapy too, we have a whole team waiting to take care of you. If you want to stay active and moving, we have yoga and pilates classes that are weekly too, so you can get some mindful movement into your diary.
Looking after yourself is the most important thing, so stay safe and stay moving, and we look forward to hearing from you if and when you need us.
