From now until Christmas, there is an onslaught of weekend entertainment programmes and the British and Irish Chiropractic Association is warning that we could all be ‘Strictly Come Aching’ as a result. Research highlights that 28 per cent of the population already spend over 15 hours seated per day Monday to Friday. But for the next three months avid viewers of X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing could spend the equivalent of an extra two days on the sofa. Poor posture is one of the biggest causes of back pain in the UK and Ireland, and figures continue to rise, with 32 per cent of the nations currently suffering from back pain and 62 per cent having suffered.
Advice from the association is to:
Sit up: Sit in chairs that provide full support for your spine and make sure your shoulders, hips and knees face the same direction.
Stand up: Avoid sitting in the same position for more than 40 minutes, less if possible. When you do take a break, walk around and stretch a little.
Exercise: Compensate for inactivity during the ad breaks by doing some light exercise — anything to loosen your muscles.
Also you can visit the Chiropractic Association of Ireland who have devised a simple three-minute exercise routine called Straighten Up Ireland. This can be incorporated into your daily life to help strengthen the spine and improve posture. The exercise routine is available to download from www.straightenupuk.org or viewed at www.chiropractic.ie
To make an appointment at your local Mayo Chiropractic Family Practice, 48 Castlegrove East, Castlebar call 094 903 4855.
