Even if you are relatively active and take part in sports activity or frequent the gym, hours of sitting—whether reading a book, working on the computer, driving the car or watching TV will cause the hip flexors and the hamstring muscles to become tight and make the joints themselves feel stiff. Overly tight hip flexors and hamstrings affect gait and balance, making activities like walking harder and perhaps even setting you up for a fall. Plus, tight hip flexors and hamstrings may contribute to lower back pain, a very common problem that thousands suffer with every day, along with knee stiffness. Without realising it we habitually sit in ways that put pressure on our back, neck and spine.
Sitting for too long really does mess with your back
When in a sitting position you are putting huge stress on your back muscles, neck, and spine, without even realising it we habitually sit in poor positions. Crossing our legs, slouching forwards, sitting whilst holding our phone to our ear, leaning forward towards the computer and looking down at the screen, this list goes on.
It is recommended that you get your spine/posture checked every 6 months the same way you do your teeth when you visit the dentist. This will highlight any tight areas or alignment issues before they become a bigger problem. Our back-care team offer this check up free of charge and can offer advice on stretching, exercise and lifestyle.
In pain, then see a professional
If like so many others you are suffering from back, neck or shoulder pain that is persistent and hindering your daily life then do make an appointment to see a professional they have gone through extensive training so they can help and it really can make a massive improvement to your health and well-being.
Massage – Getting pain treatment through massage is another great way to ease pain, muscle stiffness and tension. While this treatment may be considered a luxury, a monthly massage can be affordable and effective. There are many types of massage options, so be sure to ask about targeting your specific areas of pain.
Osteopathy – this treatment assesses the biomechanics of a person, by using stretching, joint manipulation and exercises it improves how the body functions. By freeing up areas of restriction and reinforcing flexibility through self-care advice, one learns how to correct a problem, and how to prevent it. Sometimes osteopathy has been described as a more hands on approach to physiotherapy. Osteopathy adopts a very personal approach: we treat anyone from athletes to the elderly.
McTimoney Chiropractic – this treatment involves safe, often gentle, specific spinal manipulation to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly.
Acupuncture – Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy based on the idea of energetics in the body. Treatment consists of inserting needles at various pressure points on the body and through the skin. Needles are not meant to cause pain, harm, or discomfort. A professional acupuncturist will target energy (or “qi” in Chinese medicine) points for treatment. These are also called meridians, with some being of special benefit to painful nerves and muscles in the back.
Bowen Therapy – The Bowen move is very distinctive and is applied at very precise points on the body. It involves the movement of soft tissue in a specific way. The move is a rolling-type move of the thumbs and forefingers, and is designed to stimulate the tissue and nerve pathways, creating a focus for the brain. The move does not slide or flick over the surface of the skin, but uses the slack in the overlying skin to move over the underlying tissue, so each move covers a small area, defined by how far an individual’s skin can move over a targeted area.
Alexander Technique – By resolving long held tensions and acute pain under the guidance of an expert. During session the teacher uses gentle hands-on c
ontact with the clients musculature and skeletal system. Conscious, reasoned thinking is engaged and mind and body are brought back together to unlearn the old postural habits and learn a new balance and coordination.
What is powerful and unique is the relearning process. This helps ensure you have the key and power to ensure long term, permanent improvements to your own health.
Improve posture/Reduce Pain/Increase mobility
Call us now on 01823 272227 or email contact@mh-tc.com