At the beginning of a new year it’s common for many of us to set
resolutions or certain goals that we would like to achieve over the coming
year. Last year I set myself the goal of walking the 3 peaks in the Yorkshire
Dales. At the end of July I had a free weekend and got lucky with perfect
weather. I had a fantastic day out hiking in some of the most beautiful
countryside in the UK. I was delighted to complete the 25 miles and 3 mountain
peaks in 10 hours. This year I’ve a new mountain hiking goal. I hope to be able
report the successful achievement of this goal next year.
The setting of goals or resolutions can be helpful to us as we attempt
to do something that takes some motivation and requires self-discipline. In my work as a chiropractor in Liverpool, I see people each day with a variety of back problems.
These problems often cause considerable pain or disability and almost always have
a significant effect on the sufferer’s ability to enjoy life to the full.
Fortunately I can provide helpful treatment and advice when back problems do occur - quite
often these problems can even be avoided by fostering good habits.
I thought it might be interesting to give some tips for helping to
reduce the risk of back pain. They are simple and require some initial self-discipline,
but eventually they can become second nature.
Here they are:
1. Exercise regularly; choosing exercise that you enjoy makes it much
more likely that you’ll stick to it long term.
2. Avoid bending and twisting at the same time.
3. Try to keep the back straight when bending over by flexing at the
hips and knees.
4. Don't sit for too long; 30-40 minutes is usually long enough in one
spell.
5. Don't slouch in your seat and use a supportive chair.
6. Strive to achieve your optimum weight.
None of us get it right all the time, so when things do go wrong,
remember I’m right here to help get you back on your feet.
