Back care is essential to your well-being, and since it was Back Care Awareness Week this month, it’s time to tell you why. Back pain can manifest in many ways and is a disabling health condition, particularly for the over-60s, but you don’t have to be ‘mature’ to suffer.

The Facts

  1. 80% of people will experience back pain in their lifetime.
  2. The simplest strains or sprains can trigger the most acute pain.
  3. Only a very small number of people develop a long-term problem.
  4. Bed rest is not helpful.

Your back is a fantastic muscle, with a level of strength and flexibility you probably take for granted. Therefore, taking care of your back is essential; the good news is, it’s easy.

Here are a few tips for taking care of your back and preventing injury

  1. Your core is everything in relation to preventing back problems, and exercise is an excellent way of strengthening the muscles that support your back. You don’t need to visit a gym; at Sarum, we can provide you with exercises you can do at home.
  2. Good posture is essential for avoiding back pain and helps reduce stress. It also improves breathing by enabling your lungs to fill with more oxygen and blood flow around the body. This enables your organs to work more efficiently without additional pressure. Here is a previous blog on posture you might find of interest.
  3. Daily activity can strain your back, from carrying heavy shopping bags to lifting items into your car. You’ve heard the phrase ‘bend your knees, ’ well, it’s an important one to remember, and the tips we recently shared in our gardening blog apply to pretty much everything you do.
  4. Stop smoking … are you surprised? Smoking reduces the blood supply to the discs between the vertebrae, and this may lead to degeneration. So if you are a smoker, now is a great time to quit, and as it happens, October is also STOPTOBER (although the NHS can provide you support all year round).
  5. Those discs need not only a good blood supply but are also made mostly of water, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Sources vary on how much water you should drink, but six to eight glasses a day appears to be the norm. Remember, you don’t have to just drink water. You can include smoothies or fruit teas; just stay clear of fizzy drinks and anything with sugar.

Early Intervention is Key

Back pain is manageable and usually improves within a few weeks or months. However, early intervention is key and seeking advice sooner rather than later is worth remembering. If you’re suffering an ache, niggle or acute pain, call the Sarum Physio team, we can provide treatment and create an exercise plan right for you and your lifestyle.

Don’t ignore those aches and pains, call 01722 415 055 to book an appointment.