Summer Festivals – Have Fun And Keep Your Back Safe

back care advice from our southend chiropractorSummer is here and the Summer Festival season is well underway. We Brits can’t seem to get enough of them – there are all sorts organised across the country. Whatever your interests are there’s  a festival out there somewhere for you. From arts, music, literature, food and so much more, getting out and experiencing the fun of a festival is a great way to spend a day (or more).

Here in Sounthend we have festivals happening over the summer. This year the Southend Festival is on from 1st July through to the 15th August and is inspired by events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It’s a six week programme of cultural events in venues around Southend. The events combine art, comedy, music,literature and pride.

Whatever Festival you are intending to go to this year there are some things you will inevitably find yourself doing such as standing for long periods, sitting (or sleeping) on hard surfaces or carrying bags around. One or all of these can put pressure on your back.

Our chiropractors at Cliffs Chiropractic Clinic in Southend want you to have a fun time whilst keeping your back safe. With this in mind they have put together their advice to help you keep your back safe.

Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing. You’ll thanks us after all the walking and standing you’ll do!

Carrying: A rucksack offers the best option for carrying provided you wear it appropriately. Slinging it over one shoulder isn’t going to help your back. However, if you wear it over both shoulders and adjust the straps so that the rucksack sits against your back with the weight inside evenly distributed, it will help keep your back safer. If you are using traditional carrying bags and have a heavy load, it is better for your back to split the weight evenly across two bags and carry one in each hand rather than carry all the load in one heavy bag.

Standing: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Standing this way will help support your back and hips.

Drinking: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Not wanting to dampen the spirit but do remember that alcohol will cause dehydration.

Camping: If you’re planning to camp at the event then invest in a good quality camping mat and inflatable pillow.

Have lots of fun and follow our chiropractors’ advice to keep your back safe.