Back pain is more common than you think. Recent data shows that 80% of the nation will experience back pain during their lifetime. This Chiropractic Awareness Week (22-28 April), we’re encouraging Brits to take back their back health.
There are currently 10 million people in the UK living with back pain. Research from the British Chiropractic Association found that cases of back pain rose by a third during the pandemic. Despite this, only 10% of people experiencing symptoms sought support from a specialist, with 46% of people not taking any steps at all to tackle their back pain. This indicates that a large portion of the population is still living with daily symptoms.
As part of your daily routine, you can reduce the symptoms and the risk of developing a more challenging musculoskeletal condition.
Five Tips to Support your Back Health
1. Keep moving: Aim to incorporate at least 30 minutes of movement into your day. Activities such as swimming, walking or yoga can be less demanding on your body.
2. Take a break: If you sit for long periods of time as part of your job, ensure you stand up and move around every 30 minutes. This is important if you work from home or work hybrid because you may not have the ergonomic office equipment.
3. Lifting and carrying: Remember to bend from the knees, not the waist when lifting. Face in the direction of movement and take your time. Hold the object as close to your body as possible.
4. Sleep: The Sleep Council recommends buying a new mattress at least every seven years. Mattresses lose their support over time. When purchasing your mattress ensure it is supportive for you. If you share a bed and require different mattress types, consider two single mattresses. They can be designed to be joined together, to ensure you both get the support you need.
5. Seek out support: Have your symptoms of back or joint pain lasted more than two weeks? Do symptoms prevent you from carrying out daily routines? Yes? See a chiropractor or GP for advice.
Myth Busting
We also wanted to answer a few of the most common myths and misconceptions around chiropractic:
“Chiropractic is just cracking backs” MYTH. Chiropractors provide patients with a wealth of treatments; spinal adjustment being just one. There’s no one fit approach and every patient’s plan is treated individually – many will never hear a crack or popping sound. The crack or popping sound that’s produced from a spinal manipulation comes from a small pocket of air being released between the joints.
“Chiropractors are massage therapists with a different name” MYTH. Chiropractors are extensively trained to diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Maintaining Good Back Health
Maintaining good back health is extremely important. We want to raise awareness and show that anyone can be proactive about their back health.
If your pain doesn’t reduce or is prolonged, you should always see a health professional for further guidance.
