Mind & Body

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Over 1 in 3 people in the UK are currently suffering from back pain and according to BCA we just have to look at our ever increasing sedentary lifestyles to find the cause of our posture problems.

Research carried out by the BCA has revealed that that the nation’s sedentary lifestyles are in danger of spiraling out of control: 32% of the population spends over 10 hours seated per day, whilst 16% choose to sit for over 12 hours a day – proof that we’re just not as active as we used to be.

Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association explains: “We spend huge amounts of time sitting down, at work and at home, but then we go from one extreme to another. Because we tend to have such busy lifestyles, when we are active we rush around trying to cram as much as we can in. Our bodies are not designed to cope with this type of unaccustomed activity and so we lay ourselves bare to back pain.”

Whilst resting is good for our bodies there is almost twice as much pressure on your back when you are sitting incorrectly than there is if you stand up. Here the British Chiropractic Association offers some handy hints to increase your activity levels, and that will also help you keep back pain at bay:

• 10 minute rule – if a journey would take you less than 10 minutes to walk, then leave the car at home!
• Try to use the stairs instead of a lift or escalator
• If you use the bus, get off a few stops earlier and walk the remaining journey
• Make housework fun; put some music on and tackle chores with renewed vigour!
• Whatever you are doing, take regular breaks. Never sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes, less if possible. When you do take a break, walk around and stretch a little

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a primary health-care profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body, particularly those of the spine.

Chiropractors use their hands to ‘adjust’ or ‘manipulate’ the spine and joints where signs of restriction in movement are found and can also involve working on muscles. This restores normal function to the affected muscles, joints and nerves allowing the body to then get on with the job of healing itself.

Chiropractic also gives a general sense of well being as the body balances itself through treatment. It is suitable for all ages, even pregnant women, pensioners with arthritis and children with colic.

Once the cause of a problem has been identified and treated by a BCA chiropractor, they will also advise on how to stay better, whether it’s keeping a specific injury under control or a broader approach looking at lifestyle habits and their health side-affects.

Chiropractic care can help people with a wide range of conditions, and the following are a few common conditions that BCA patients can receive treatment for: Back pain and disc problems, headaches and migraines, arthritis and neck and joint pain.

What can you expect from your first trip to see a chiropractor?

You will have an initial consultation lasting between half an hour to an hour when you will be asked to give as much detail as possible about the reason you are there. A full medical history will be taken to gain an overall picture. You will then be assessed to ensure that chiropractic is the right treatment for your complaint. Your chiropractor may need to obtain further information before treatment can begin, possibly taking x-rays or getting information from your GP, or performing blood tests for example.

Your BCA chiropractor will discuss the results of your examination with you and what can be done. You can also be advised on how outside factors can affect your health and how you can avoid future problems, for example poor diet or posture, as an aid to your long term recovery. A full treatment programme is specifically tailored to your individual needs, whether you need, for example, a one-off treatment with a follow up in six months or a course of visits. After the initial consultation, a treatment lasts about 15 minutes on average but will vary according to your condition.

About the British Chiropractic Association

The BCA represents well over 50% of UK chiropractors. Chiropractic is a statutorily regulated healthcare profession regulated by the General Chiropractic Council. Members of the BCA must abide by the GCC’s Code of Conduct and Standard of Proficiency. The association only accepts graduates who have gone through a minimum four-year full-time internationally accredited degree course at an internationally recognised college of chiropractic education.

In common with other health professions, chiropractic is regulated by Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. The Chiropractors Act 1994 is a good example of modern legislation and it gives strong powers to the regulatory body, the General Chiropractic Council (www.gcc-uk.org) The GCC’s main responsibilities are to: protect patients; set standards of conduct, practice and education; develop and promote the practice of chiropractic.

Chiropractors who are on the GCC’s Statutory Register have met legal criteria for registration and it is a criminal offence for anyone to describe himself or herself as a chiropractor if they are not registered with the GCC. Chiropractic care offers hands on pain management and focuses on muscles, joints and nerves. Chiropractic is suitable for all ages and can help with a wide range of aches and pains from head to toe.

More Information

For more information or to find your nearest chiropractor visit the British Chiropractic Association website www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk