Surprisingly, it’s not strenuous exercise putting most people’s backs out!
As part of BackCare Awareness Week (6th – 12th October) Arif and the team at Cliffs Chiropractic Clinic are urging people to think about what they put their backs through during an average day, as research findings reveal that sleeping and sitting are two of the main culprits for triggering neck and back pain in the UK.
Three quarters (75%) of people surveyed in East Anglia say they are currently experiencing back or neck pain or have done in the past. More than one in five (22%) say they suffer on a daily basis*.
43% of UK respondents pin sleeping as their most common pain trigger and 44% said sitting is also a trigger
In the UK it seems modern lifestyle could be to blame; 82% of those surveyed say they spend up to six hours a day sitting in front of a computer screen and almost one in five (19%) spend more than 4 hours a day watching TV.
Arif cautions that inactive lifestyles could be causing unnecessary pain and is encouraging the nation to make small adjustments to daily routines, to help improve their back health.
Breakdown of a sedentary day:
- 73% spend more than six hours sleeping
- 28% spend over six hours sitting
- 33% spend between two and six hours looking at a laptop or tablet
- 49% spend between two and six hours watching TV or a film
- 82% spend up to six hours a day sitting in front of a computer screen
Arif comments: “As a nation we’re becoming increasingly sedentary and struggle to switch off – whether it’s sitting at a desk or lounging on the sofa, hunching over a mobile device or lying in bed for too long, the effects of modern lifestyles are taking their toll. Understanding how to sit properly and keeping active will help improve posture, strengthen muscles and therefore reduce neck and back pain.
With 35 million working days a year lost to back and neck related problems* it’s really important that people think about their back health when going about their daily business, and that they seek help from an expert if they are in pain to avoid more long term problems.”
The Cliffs Chiropractic Clinic has some TOP TIPS for maintaining a healthy back and neck:
• Sit up straight – keep arms relaxed and close to the body and place arms on the desk when typing. Make sure the top of the screen is level with the eyebrows and the chair is titled slightly forward, allowing for the knees to be lower than the hips and the feet to be flat on the floor.
• Keep moving – if sitting in the same position all day take regular breaks – ideally every 30 minutes. It’s good to stretch your arms, shrug your shoulders and move your fingers around – this helps to keep the muscles more relaxed.
• Switch off – try to limit the time you spend leaning over you mobile devices or with your laptop on your knees especially after a day spent in front of a screen, to help improve your posture and relieve neck strain.
• Sleep easy – test out your mattress before you buy it to find the perfect one and lie on your side rather than lying on your front with your neck twisted to one side.
For more information on how to maintain a healthy posture, the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has developed ‘Straighten Up’ – a simple, three minute exercise programme for all ages, designed to help strengthen the spine and improve posture and help joints. You can watch the video here:
If you are suffering backor neck pain why not call Cliffs today and find out how our experienced team of chiropractors in Southend can help you.