…health matters

Believe you can do it!

To Celebrate its 40th anniversary, BackCare, the charity for Healthier Backs, has published 40 tips towards a healthy back, an extract of which can be found below. These tips form a key part of the 2008 Backcare Awareness Week (4th - 10th October) which will be launced at the Back Show 2008. Everyone can benefit from a positive mind set and the use of self-help techniques. Believing that you can control back pain is a first an important step in managing back pain.

Here is a taster of the top tips....

Mind your posture

Avoid long periods in one position, move around regulary and stretch and excercise your back muscles regulary.

Stay Active

When you experience back pain it is very important to stay active. Prolonged bed rest is often counter-productive in managing back pain.

Get comfortable when working

Adjust your work environment, i.e is your computer screen at the right height? Do you have to do too much reaching?

Shopping

Using a high trolly reduces the need to bend too much.Try carrying your shopping in two smaller bags instead of one big one or go twice to the shop instead of buying everything in one go.

Driving

Take regular breaks when having to drive long distances and use a firm seat that gives good support; use extra lumbar support if needed. An even better option may be to take the train which allows you to move around more instead if being in one position for a long time.

The Back Show is being held at Olympia, London from 4th - 5th October.

(Please note that the above information provided should be used as a guidance only and should not replace professional medical advice that you may have received. If in doubt, you should contact your GP or other qualified healthcare professional.)