It’s Stoptober again – and you probably already know many reasons to quit tobacco and become a non-smoker. We hardly need tell you again about cancer, strokes and heart disease. But did you know that smoking affects the musculoskeletal system too? It increases the risk of developing conditions in joints and bones and makes recovery…
We all know that as we age our bodies change. Naturally, our joints, bones, soft tissue and organs suffer from the passage of time. The years bring age-related wear and tear on the joints and lower back pain is common among the over 65s. MRI scans confirm that degenerative changes of the spine are typical…
Camping can hurt. There’s no doubt it’s also fun and gets you out in the open air, but it can take a toll on the back and neck. It’s not surprising, though: you’re spending several days in unusual living conditions, sleeping on a different surface and perhaps carrying large packs. So here are 7 tips…
If you suffer from back pain, the hours spent cramped in an airline seat can be agony. Hand luggage can be heavy and awkward getting into overhead lockers. When you arrive at your destination you have to deal with hauling heavy bags off the luggage carousel and dragging them thought the airport an into a…
Top 10 Tips Taking care of a newborn baby can put a big strain on your back, but there are some simple ways for you to be comfortable while breastfeeding. Mind how you sit. Try not to let the lower half of your spine curve too much while feeding your baby. Sitting in a comfortable…
Would you be surprised to learn that the pain in your back reflects your general wellbeing? In fact, your pain threshold is not fixed at all and you can take control of it. Research into back pain shows that the ‘usual suspects’ of posture or weak core muscles aren’t as important as once thought. Like…
Are you planning a long road trip this summer? Read on for our tips on how to look after your back in the car! Remember, it can really help to make sure you’re not holding stiffness in your lower back before you drive. Get into the routine of doing some stretches every day – you…
Ice therapy can help with back pain or another injury like a sprained ankle if applied early enough. After a couple of days, heat can be more beneficial – here’s why… If back pain comes on suddenly with lifting or bending, for example, it is often due to a vertebral joint sprain which causes muscle…
Bank Holidays can mean relaxing, perhaps a barbecue in the garden – and catching up on DIY jobs. Unfortunately, Do-It-Yourself projects are responsible for about 200,000 accidents in the UK every year. As the bending, stretching and balancing acts involved in tasks around the home tend to be unusual, not surprisingly unprepared muscles easily get…
What happens to muscles as we age? As we get older our muscles lose strength and power. And they lose it up to eight times faster than they lose muscle mass. In other words we get weaker but we don’t look weaker. We often think aerobic-type exercise like walking, cycling or swimming is better than…
