PHYSIOCARE TWYFORD
T 0118 934 4055
E physio@physiocare.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE EARLEY
T 0118 966 4585
E physio@physiocares.co.uk
PHYSIOCARE NEWS & EVENTS
Posture perfect for National Backcare Week
80% of people in the UK are likely to experience back pain at some point in their lives, according to the charity Backcare. With sedentary life styles and a ‘car culture’ on the increase, most of us need a few reminders of how we should be looking after our backs to avoid common pitfalls.
• Keep moving - Always change position regularly when doing an activity for any length of time (that goes for vacuuming, driving, weeding or sitting at a computer). This allows the muscles around your back to keep flexible, avoiding overloading them in a single position which can lead to tightness and discomfort
• Think tall – most of us slouch and don’t help our posture with rounded shoulders, especially when sitting at a desk. Think tall, imagine you have an invisible thread coming out of the top of your head that is pulling you upwards.
• Bend from the knees – it is surprisingly easy to put your back out of alignment so be careful when bending or picking anything up from the floor, even a pencil! Always bend from the knees, putting the effort in the strong muscles at the top of your legs and protecting your back.
• Exercise regularly – we all know we should be exercising more! Keeping up regular physical activity that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes is what’s needed (it can be anything from aerobics to walking the dog!), but you need to do it at least five times a week to have an impact. General fitness will improve muscle strength and control and help your posture.
For more information and advice on how you can keep your back healthy, contact us on 0118 934 4055