Sometimes you’re just doing a simple, everyday movement – and zap! Your back goes into spasm. The pain is suddenly excruciating, you’re frightened to move and have no idea what’s happening to you. This kind of situation feels like an emergency because the signals your brain is receiving are alerting you to potentially serious tissue…
Do you spend more than four hours a day sitting down? If the answer is yes, you’re one of the millions of people who make up the ‘sitting epidemic’. Due to a decline in the prevalence of physical jobs, combined with the rise of desk-based work, working from home, use of the internet and car…
Have you noticed how low mood and low back pain seem to go together? Research into how exactly the two are linked has been going on for years. Studies have looked at whether depression itself increases the risk of low back pain or if low back pain increases the risk of depression. Now breakthrough new…
Did you know that the estimated cost of back pain to the NHS is £481 million a year? Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are extremely common. According to the NHS, over 20 million people in the UK have an MSK condition such as arthritis or back pain, and they account for up to 30% of GP consultations…
A slipped disc is also called a herniated or prolapsed disc – and it can cause a lot of pain. Discs themselves are soft cushions of tissue between each vertebrae. The jelly-like centre (nucleus) of each disc is soft, but enveloped by a tougher substance called the annulus. Their job is to be shock absorbers.…
If you’re suffering with a flare up in your back, the first thing you may want to do is reach for the painkillers. Occasional use of ibuprofen, the key ingredient in Nurofen, may offer short-term relief, but relying on painkillers for persistent back pain will do more harm than good. New research shows that regular…
Pregnancy is a risk factor for back pain – but what can a chiropractor do to help? We know that up to 72% of pregnant women suffer from back pain and some issues may not resolve satisfactorily. A recent study looked at the correlation between pregnancy, childbirth and functionally-limiting back pain. It found that 85%…
With spring around the corner, it’s well worth making time for a regular run outdoors. Not only is it an excellent cardiovascular workout, it strengthens muscles in your legs and back, while also improving your mental health. When the weather gets better, being out while you’re exercising is a perfect way to raise your vitamin…
After an injury or an illness, the body needs to get itself back into ideal balance, called homeostasis, as quickly as possible. Your immune system sends out white blood cells and other immune cells to the injured area to mop up infections. Swelling occurs to contain any toxins. If you’ve cut your knee for example,…
We often blame headaches on things like prolonged noise, too much screen time and changes in air pressure. While these factors definitely play a part, persistent headaches are very often caused by something simple – overworked neck muscles. Your neck has to put up with a lot. Not only does it support your skull but…
