Twang! Don’t let back pain spoil your plans
WE’VE all done it. Lifted a heavy shopping bag, lost our footing or slouched in a chair for too long — and felt our back go twang!
Back Care Awareness Week starts today, and while it focuses on the damaging effects that school bags and prolonged sitting can have on children, there are lessons that all of us can learn.
Painful back and neck ache affects as many as four out of five people in Britain today, according to recent research — a rise of almost ten per cent in one year.
And the one in ten Britons who are unpaid carers are at particular risk.
So it makes special sense to watch our backs and try to stand tall, sit tall and walk tall at all times.
Indeed, it is best to keep your body upright when sitting or standing. Do not slouch or hunch your back.
Regular exercise will help to make it strong — try swimming or walking.
When picking up items, bend your knees instead of curving your back forwards. Try to avoid twisting your body when getting into and out of a seat or car.
And choose a mattress and bed which is comfortable for your height and weight.
Watch your back whatever you are doing — and minimise the risk of pain.
Support in the right places
FOR those who suffer from long-term back pain, there are various adaptations that will make life easier by helping to minimise the discomfort.
A riser recliner chair, for example, will often give positional relief from pain, but do make sure that you buy one that is a perfect fit for your size and shape so that you receive the correct support.
Check that the soles of your feet are flat on the floor when seated and that your thighs are horizontal.
Make sure the seat is neither too wide, nor too narrow. And back height must also be right, with your head sitting squarely in the middle of the top cushion.
Get it right and a good recliner or
comfort chair could make all the difference to your daily life.
Much safer for your back
WITH more than 80,000 nifty new mobility scooters sold in Britain every year, many people who previously struggled to get around are now enjoying a fresh lease of life.
But it might not be long before some realise that there are limits to this newfound sense of independence.
A scooter battery will typically take them about 12 miles, so they can’t stray too far without fear of running out of power. And the weight of the scooter can make it difficult to lift it into the car, preventing them from travelling further afield.
With mobility scooters weighing between 50kg and 200kg, lifting a heavier model can certainly risk a back injury. And even some of those that dismantle can still be quite heavy to lift in parts.
But a hoist that makes it feasible to get the scooter in and out of the car with ease could see users getting a lot more enjoyment out of their scooter without the struggle or risk.
For example, it means that they might be able to revisit favourite places, go shopping more or even take a holiday, safe in the knowledge that they can get around without strain.
Different hoists are available for more t han 300 makes of car — and each one is individually fitted by an expert installer, following a no-obligation survey and demonstration.
Fitting can be done at your home and once i nstalled, the hoist is very easy to use anywhere flat.
It is powered by the car battery, so you don’t need to carry a power pack on board. And should you decide to change car, the hoist can often be transferred to the new model.
So having a hoist fitted opens up new opportunities to use your scooter — without any fear of injuring your back.