This Posture Awareness Month, the BCA is encouraging the UK to look after their back health. Our recent research shows that 33% of the UK has had an MSK (musculoskeletal) issue in the last 2 years, with 52% of those having lived with the condition for over a year. To help minimise the risk of developing these types of issues, looking after your back health is critical.
Catherine Quinn, President of the British Chiropractic Association, said: “Most of us spend a large amount of time hunched over a phone or sat at a desk staring at a computer screen. Innovative devices and new technologies are changing our lives for the better in so many ways, but they’re also contributing towards more sedentary lifestyles, which can have an impact on how our necks and backs feel through the day.
Promotion of good posture as well as physical activity, responsible lifting and healthy working conditions, can all help with positive spine health. This doesn’t mean you need to make massive changes to the way you exercise, work or go about your everyday life. Incorporating just a few small changes into your daily routine can make a huge difference to your back health.”
The British Chiropractic Association’s top tips for better spine health
- Take a stand: Inactivity is a leading cause of back pain. If you spend most of your day sitting down, make sure that you take regular breaks, ideally every 20-30 minutes. Stand up, change position and walk around a little.
- Stretch it out: If you struggle to get away from your seat at work, simple activities such as stretching, shoulder shrugging or even fidgeting in your seat can help to keep your back in line.
- Get active: Exercise is key to a healthy back. This doesn’t mean that you need to embark on any extreme fitness regimes. Adding just a few extra minutes of walking a day can hugely benefit your posture.
- Check your workspace: If your job primarily involves sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen for hours at a time, make sure your workspace is set up to support a comfortable position. This is different for everyone, so if you don’t feel comfortable in your current set up, try altering the height of your chair or screen.
- Straighten Up!: Try incorporating some simple exercises into your daily routine. The BCA has developed a series of simple exercises designed to improve your posture and prevent back pain by promoting balance, strength and flexibility in the spine.
About the British Chiropractic Association: The BCA is the largest and longest-standing association for chiropractors in the UK and has been named ‘Best Professional Body of the Year’ at the Memcom Excellence Awards 2022 for its Repositioning Project which has played a pivotal role in changing the healthcare landscape for the better. As well as promoting international standards of education and exemplary conduct, the BCA supports chiropractors to progress and develop to fulfil their professional ambitions with honour and integrity, at every step. The BCA is raising awareness about the rigour, relevance and evidence driving the profession and the association’s ambition for chiropractic to be more closely embedded within mainstream healthcare.
The BCA is the home for chiropractors who provide patient-centred, evidence-based care and offer full transparency to their patients. Through the Patient Charter BCA chiropractors provide reassurance to their patients and that they will empower them to make an informed decision about their treatment.
