Keep Your Back Safe at the Pool This Summer!

Taking a refreshing dip in the pool is a great way to cool off from the scorching summer heat, but it can also be beneficial to your back.

Swimming is an enjoyable form of low-impact aerobic conditioning and it’s gentle on your back and spine. Unlike other forms of exercise, the buoyancy of the water supports your body’s weight as you swim and reduces the stress on your joints and spine.

But what are the best swimming strokes if you suffer from back pain?

According to our Southend chiropractor, anyone with back pain should look at ways to avoid sheer forces on the spine. For example, using a mask or snorkel will eliminate the need to arch your lower back while coming up for air or when rotating your head to breathe. Alternatively, working with a coach or trainer can teach you how to keep your shoulders in line with your hips while swimming.

Swimming can be an extremely effective way to manage your back pain. But it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider before “jumping in at the deep end” this summer.

Think Away Pain With These Amazing Techniques!

pain management advice from our southend chiropractorIf you live with chronic pain, you’ll be all too aware of the impact it can have on your daily life. But what if you could train your brain to reduce your symptoms? Is it even possible to “think” your pain away? It can be, according to our Southend chiropractor.

Take a look at the following pain-management techniques that have worked for many people living with chronic pain:

Distraction

This effective technique involves focusing your mind on something specific and ignoring other stimuli in the process. This may be listening to a piece of music and only focusing on the beat of the drum, for example.

However you choose to do it, it’s important that you find a way to make the activity compelling enough to allow your brain enough power to negate your pain.

Expect pleasure

Learning to expect a feeling of pleasure may help to reduce pain. Many patients living with daily pain come to accept their symptoms as part of their lives. Imagine a day where you feel no pain whatsoever. Train your brain to expect a pain-free future, even when you are in pain.

Positive pictures

Imagery can be one of the most effective ways to use your brain to reduce your pain! If your pain presents as a burning sensation, consider looking at pictures of snow and ice. If you suffer from joint pain and stiffness, looking at a video of a flexible dancer may help to focus your brain away from your ailments.

Remember that your eyes, mind and body work in sync with one another; and what you see can cause many significant physiological responses. Ever started itching at the mere sight or mention of head lice or fleas? That’s your body reacting with your mind!

Where you direct your attention can be very powerful in helping to relieve pain.

Give these ideas a try and speak to a healthcare professional about other pain control techniques. Training your brain to cope with your pain just come as a breakthrough in your management of your condition. After all, what have you got to lose by trying? 

 

 

Top Tips on Having a Great Relationship With Your Chiropractor

People who have good relationships with their chiropractors tend to have better health outcomes. So here are three great bond-building tips from our Southend chiropractor:

1: Prepare for your appointment

Preparing for an appointment means more than getting there on time! In order to optimise the time you have with your chiropractor, plan in your mind what you want to achieve out of the visit. The worst thing is leaving an appointment and then remembering afterwards the things you wanted to mention. So plan ahead.

2: Share your concerns as well as your complaints

It may seem natural to simply tell your chiropractor about the symptoms you’re experiencing, but it is equally important to be open about your concerns too. Chiropractors are trained to address your worries as well as your symptoms, so be open and honest.

 3: Prioritise your problems

Make a list of all the issues you want to address and let your chiropractor know how many things are on it at the start of your appointment. Your chiropractor can then arrange as many appointments as needed to assess each of your problems.

A good chiropractor/ patient relationship requires good communication. Don’t be afraid to express how you feel or what you want to achieve out of your appointments. Your chiropractor will appreciate your effort and honesty.

Summer Holiday Pain Busters

back care advice when travelling from our southend chiropractorIf you suffer with back pain or neck pain, the thought of a long trip or journey can be daunting. Let’s face it, the seats in cars, airplanes, buses, and trains aren’t exactly the most comfortable. And even sitting still for a prolonged period can in itself cause/ worsen pain in the back and neck. So here are some tips from our Southend chiropractor to help you travel with ease this summer:

If you’re susceptible to back pain, carrying a heavy bag will likely be more than just an inconvenience! To avoid added strain, take a light suitcase with wheels and a handle for rolling it. But remember that you’ll still need to lift a wheeled suitcase up and down the stairs or in and out of the car. Therefore, instead of stuffing all your holiday must-haves into one large suitcase, take a few smaller bags instead.

When lifting a heavy item, back strain most often occurs near the end of your range of motion. This is why it is better to move slowly when lifting heavy luggage and to break the action into smaller parts. For example, if you’re lifting a bag into an overhead bin, try lifting it to the top of the seat first, then into the bin in a separate motion. Similarly, you can take it in steps to load a heavy suitcase into the boot of your car. This may mean lifting it first to a chair or stool, then lifting it into the boot. Other important lifting tips to remember include:

  • Always bend at the knees and use your leg muscles rather than your back muscles to lift
  • Avoid twisting your low back while lifting; pivot with your feet instead
  • Carry heavy items as close to your body as possible
  • Make sure you distribute weight evenly on each side of the body
  • When carrying a one shoulder bag, switch sides regularly to avoid putting strain on one side of your back.

Take these tips on board (excuse the pun) when you head off on your travels this summer. They could just save you from agonising back pain.