british chiropractic association Archives - Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

Are You Suffering In Silence?

Posted on 7th August 20182nd March 2020

back pain treated at cliffs near leigh on sea It’s not uncommon for our chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractic Clinic in Southend to treat patients who have been suffering back pain for weeks and sometimes months. Some have sought other forms of treatment which have not helped with the pain whilst others have simply suffered in silence!

It would appear that putting up with back pain is not confined to the Southend area as recent research* undertaken by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) found that over a third of Brits wait a month or more to seek professional help and one in ten suffer in silence and not seek help at all for their back or neck pain.

The research also revealed that women take twice as long as men to seek help. Women take on average six weeks and men take three weeks.

Our chiropractors recommend that if you have been experiencing back pain for more than a few weeks you should seek professional help.

At Cliffs Chiropractic our experienced team of chiropractors treat patients suffering back pain on a daily basis. Our aim is to find the underlying cause of your back pain and provide a long term solution to the problem. Chiropractic treatment is suitable for most people. The variety of treatment methods used ensures all age groups who need help, can benefit from chiropractic and once you’re better you will be given help to maintain good health, including being offered exercises, lifestyle and ergonomic advice.

You can read Stories and Testimonials form patients that we have helped at Cliffs.

Of course prevention is better than cure and at Cliffs we encourage everyone to take a proactive approach to their health and well-being. It’s unfortunate that as chiropractors we are increasingly treating patients for the effects of modern day living and are now seeing more and more 20 and 30-year-olds with the kind of neck, shoulder and back problems usually associated with much older people.

Regardless of your age making some simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. With a view to helping people make these lifestyle changes we have developed ‘The Back Story‘. You can help yourself right now. Just click on your age-group and use the information to learn more about what’s happening to your body and how you can increase your energy levels, strength and flexibility. Remember you don’t have to be perfect! Making a few lifestyle changes today, and sustaining them, can give you benefits that last a lifetime.

However, if you are suffering back pain in silence then out chiropractors are here to help you. You can call us on 01702 430430 to arrange an appointment with one of our team.

Don’t suffer in silence let us help you.

*Consumer research carried out between 28/02/2018 and 07/03/2018 on a sample of 2,066 UK adults aged 16 + on behalf of the British Chiropractic Association.

Back pain ‘cures’ we wouldn’t recommend

Posted on 15th May 20182nd March 2020

Suffering back pain can be challenging. It’s surprising how much of what we do involves our spine. The slightest movement can be excruciating. Therefore, it comes as no great surprise that some people suffering back pain will take up some of the strangest suggestions for ‘curing’ it.

Members of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) have shared some of the strangest ‘cures’ back pain sufferers have tried. These include using WD40, drinking ones own urine and hanging off door frames.

Whilst we can only describe some of these as wacky, one common belief that many people have is that they should rest a bad back. Consumer research carried out by the BCA revealed that 50% of people believed this to be the case. This percentage increased to 64% in the 16 – 24 years old age group.

It may seem like a good idea to rest when you’re suffering back pain, however, in most cases this is the last thing we would recommend. It is important to keep moving and take moderate exercise even with back pain.

It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Chiropractic offers a safe, effective and drug free treatment for back pain. With at least four out of five adults experiencing back pain at some point in their lives, low back pain is one of the most common conditions our team of experienced chiropractors treat at Cliffs Chiropractic in Southend.

If you are suffering back pain why not give us a call on 01702 430 430.

Research reveals the state of backs across Britain

Posted on 8th May 20182nd March 2020

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has revealed the results of consumer research undertaken to ascertain the state of backs across Britain. The research has highlighted the significant differences in the number of people experiencing back or neck pain across different regions of the country.

The numbers are quite significant between some regions, for example, 57% of people in Northern Ireland responded to say that they currently have back or neck pain whilst in the South East this number was 40%. That’s a 17% difference. By comparison the national average was found to be 44%. This research highlights yet again the increase in back and neck pain with the national average rising by 12% since 2017.

As far as frequency of back or neck pain is concerned, the Scots suffer the most with a third experiencing back or neck pain on a daily basis. Londoners on the hand suffer the least with only 17% suffering.

The top trigger reported for back and neck pain for all regions was lifting and carrying. Sitting still for long periods followed this.

The research also highlights the fact that back and neck pain are affecting people at a younger age, however, it also interesting to note again the variation in rates across the regions. In the Midlands, 70% of people responded to have experienced back or neck pain by the age of 30. In the East of England this number was 48%.

As chiropractors we cannot stress enough that prevention is better than cure. Keeping your back in good health is so important and it doesn’t need to be difficult. Keeping active and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine is key.

Our Back to Business programme has some simple exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routine to help you.

Acute, chronic and general low back pain responds well to chiropractic treatment. Official government guidelines from the NICE and guidelines from the Royal College of General Practitioners suggest the early referral for manipulative treatment, such as chiropractic is the most effective way of dealing with acute and chronic low back pain.

If you are suffering back or neck pain, our experienced team of chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractic in Southend are here to help you. Call us on 01702 430 430 to arrange an appointment.

Yeah … It’s National Gardening Week

Posted on 1st May 20182nd March 2020

We love our gardens in the UK. Now the weather is warming up gardeners will be flocking to Garden Centers all over the country to stock up on plants, compost and other assorted accessories and equipment to get their gardens in tip top shape.

On 30th April, National Gardening Week starts. This year the focus is on encouraging gardeners to share their love of gardening. At Cliffs Chiropractic, our chiropractors think that gardening is a great activity for people of all ages and encourage people to get outdoors and indulge in a spot of gardening. However, we do want everyone to stay safe and healthy doing so.

Unfortunately gardening can result in all types of injuries and strains. It can be particularly onerous on backs, muscles and joints. With this in mind the British Chiropractic Association has put together a 3 minute video with advice for keeping your back, muscles and joints safe whilst gardening.

Our chiropractors recommend you take 3 minutes before heading out to the garden as it could save you a trip to the Clinic!

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer back pain, muscle or joint strain then our chiropractors are here to help you. Call us on 01702 430 430 and one of our team will make an appointment for you to visit us.

Arif Co-Hosts The Spring BCA Conference …

Posted on 11th April 20182nd March 2020

In March, Arif co-hosted the British Chiropractic Association’s (BCA) Spring Conference. The focus of the conference was ‘Beyond The Spine’.

These conferences offer chiropractors an opportunity to continue their professional development and also to meet up with other chiropractors. Both Arif and Paz took the opportunity to do both:)

There was an array of fabulous speakers from the UK and internationally. They presented more evidence and research supporting chiropractic care, chiropractic techniques, methods of effective communication, future education in the UK and much more.

Arif spent time with the current and past presidents of the BCA with whom he continues to work with as a council member.

The conference is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Here is Paz catching up with our friend, Leigh Hurley from the Spine Fine Chiropractic Clinic. Also in the photo is a new friend, Lewis, who is a 1st year chiropractic student. Lewis, like other students, is just starting his journey to eventually helping and serving patients.

Improve Your Posture With This Simple Programme

Posted on 27th March 20182nd March 2020

As chiropractors we are only too well aware of how important having and maintaining a good posture is to the good health of your back. However, it often comes as a complete surprise to many of the patients we treat at Cliff Chiropractic in Southend.

Of course there are other benefits of maintaining a good posture and not just physical health ones. A good posture can also have a positive influence on your mental well-being and how you look. Standing straighter can lift your mood and make you feel and appear more confident and eager. It also makes you look taller and slimmer without the help of high heels or a diet!

Unfortunately our lifestyles are often not conducive to maintaining a good posture. Spending hours in front of our computers, time spent slouched on the sofa watching TV, driving long distances and holding stress in our bodies are all some of the activities that take their toll on our posture.

The good news is that there are some simple and effective things you can do to improve your posture.

The British Chiropractic Association (BC) has developed a simple 3 minute exercise programme that is designed for you to incorporate into your daily routine and that will help improve your posture. It’s called Straighten Up UK.

The video below will take you through the programme. It can be done by people of all ages and abilities. The exercises can be adapted to suit your needs – discuss these with your GP, chiropractor or other health care practitioner before you start.

Driving This Easter? Keep Your Back Safe

Posted on 20th March 20182nd March 2020

Easter is nearly upon us and many if us will be taking to the roads to get away. While it’s great to get away unfortunately spending hours at the wheel can take its toll on our bodies including our backs.

In a survey undertaken by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), 25% of people surveyed felt that driving affected their posture. This is important to consider as if your driving position is negatively impacting your posture it may lead to back pain or neck pain.

One of our experienced chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractic in Southend, Arif Soomro, wants to share some tips to make your driving more comfortable and to give you less chance of getting neck and back pain.

The first step to consider is to enter your car comfortably. That means try and avoid twisting your back and keep your knees close together.

There are several stages to finding a comfortable driving position which requires adjustments to the back rest, seat, steering wheel, headrest and safety belt.

Arif has created a video to take you through step by step the necessary adjustments. You can watch the video below.

Of course driving comes with a lot of stress which can also cause tension in the back and neck. To avoid as much stress as possible here are a few tips to follow:

Allow plenty of time for your journey. Take into account traffic and weather conditions that could impact on the time and factor in plenty of breaks if it’s a long journey.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Leave the tight clothes and high heels at home.

Take regular breaks. Stop for a break at least every two hours and get out of the car and have a walk around and a stretch. If you are in discomfort then you should stop more frequently.

If you are stuck in traffic, and it’s safe to do so, do some exercises in your seat. Buttock clenches, shoulder shrugs and circles are all good stretches you can do in a seated position.

Remember to relax and enjoy the journey.

If you heading away this Easter then drive safely and have a great journey.

Is Your Sleep Affecting Your Back?

Posted on 6th March 20182nd March 2020

back care advice from our chiropractor leigh on sea It’s National Bed Month and we thought we would turn our attention to your bed/mattress and how it can affect your back. Research undertaken by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) showed that a large proportion of people who get back pain said it could be brought on by a night’s sleep.

Our chiropractor in Southend stresses that choosing the right bed for yourself is really important and can help your back. Given you spend a third of your life in bed it makes sense to choose carefully.

So how do you know if your current bed/mattress is right for you? Our chiropractor suggests that you ask yourself the following questions:

Are you and your partner having a comfortable night’s sleep? If not, it could be your bed/mattress.
Can you feel the springs through the mattress?If so, it’s time to buy a new one.
Is your bed more than 10 years old? If it is, it may be time to start looking for a replacement.

How do you choose a new bed/mattress?

It’s a case that one size doesn’t fit all, so you need to set time aside to look for your new bed. This is an important decision and the more time you take in researching and testing beds the more likely you are to find the right one for you.

Find a store that has a good selection of beds and mattresses so that you can properly test out different options.

Buy the biggest size bed that you can but make sure it isn’t too big to accommodate comfortably in your bedroom.

You are looking for the mattress that is most supportive for you. You need to confirm this by lying on the mattress. As a guide when you are lying on your side your spine should be parallel to the mattress. You’ll need to get someone to check this for you. You also need to ensure that the pillow is an extension of this parallel line – resulting in your neck being a continuation of your spine, straight and parallel to the mattress.

If you have a partner, it’s important that you shop together for your new bed/mattress as both your needs could be very different. If this is the case, you may want to buy two single mattresses that zip together to ensure you both get the support that you need.

We can’t stress how important a good night’s sleep is for your back and overall health.

Our experienced team of chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractic in Southend are here to help you should you have any questions or concerns regarding your back.

Top 5 Most Worn Women’s Clothing Items That Could Put Your Back & Neck At Risk

Posted on 29th March 20172nd March 2020

back care advice from cliffs chiropractor southend You may have heard Arif on BBC Essex last week talking about the impact that women’s fashion choices are having on their backs and necks.

Worryingly one third of women are completely unaware their clothing choice could have an impact on their back and neck health.

New research* from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has found that three quarters (73%) of women have suffered with back pain with experts pointing to their wardrobe as a major cause of discomfort.

The findings revealed the Top 5** most worn clothing culprits that the BCA advise can cause back and neck pain were:

Skinny jeans
Oversized bags and those worn on one side of the body
Coats with large fluffy hoods
High heeled shoes
Backless shoes, e.g. mules

These statistics mirror trends seen on the fashion week runways, where mules and heavy jewellery featured prominently this year and were seen on numerous celebrities, from Alexa Chung to Jennifer Aniston and Kendall Jenner. Twenty per cent of women responding in the research said they choose to wear shoes without back support, such as mules, which will promote strain on the legs and lower back. Similarly, 10% of women are sporting heavy jewellery, such as statement necklaces, which increase pressure on the neck and can wreak havoc with posture.

Whilst we are certainly not saying stop wearing your favourite clothes altogether, like most things in life, moderation is best and there are easy ways you can reduce the impact on your posture and overall health. For example, try and limit the number of times you wear skinny jeans or high heels every week so you’re giving your body a break, or try investing in a backpack for days when you have a lot to carry around.

Here are 5 tips to keep in the fashion while ensuring your back and neck stay safe:

Vary what you wear on a daily basis in order to shift around the pressure that some articles of clothing place on your body.
Wear more loose fitting clothing as tighter clothes restrict your body from moving freely.
Think handbag! Declutter the heavy handbag to make it as light as possible. Heavy handbags are a common cause of back pain in women. Avoid bags that must be carried in the crook of your arm, as the weight of these held away from your body pulls one shoulder lower than the other, twisting your neck and spine. If your bag has one strap, alternate the shoulder you carry it on, or if it has a long strap, wear it across the body.
Ditch the high heels whenever you can. Wearing high heels promotes tension in your spine so whenever you can wear flat soled shoes or a lower heel.
Wear the right support. Ensure you are wearing the correct sized bra. It’s astonishing how many women are wearing the incorrect size which doesn’t provide adequate support leading to back pain.

Our chiropractors at Cliffs recommend that, if you are experiencing pain for more than a few days then you seek professional help, as an undiagnosed problem could lead to longer-term problems if left untreated. If you are in pain, you can call our friendly reception team and they will make an appointment for you to visit one of our team.

Appendix:

*The 2017 research was carried out between 14/02/2017 and 20/02/2017 on a sample of 2,082 UK adults aged 16 + on behalf of the British Chiropractic Association

**Most popular clothing choices among women which could cause neck and back pain:

Women
Skinny jeans	48%
Bags worn on one side of the body	46%
Coats with large fluffy hoods	37%
High heeled shoes	26%
Oversized bags	24%
Backless shoes e.g. mules	20%

Back Pain Striking Women in Their 20s!

Posted on 17th January 20172nd March 2020

For most people, life as a twenty-something is a time to reap the freedom of being a healthy, young adult. It’s a time to achieve career dreams, post hashtag clad pictures of exciting worldly adventures or maybe settle down and start a family. But for a massive one fifth of women, it’s also a time when back pain begins. A recent study conducted by the British Chiropractic Association has revealed that over a fifth of women aged just 28 have experienced, or currently suffer with daily back or neck pain. Men seem to fare slightly better, beginning their battle with back pain at 32.*

In light of these shocking statistics, our Southend chiropractor is urging youngsters to be mindful that back pain and age doesn’t necessarily come hand in hand. Look after your spines, folks, no matter how old (or young!) you are!

*https://chiropractic-uk.co.uk/

Tag: british chiropractic association