A WHOLE-BODY APPROACH TO TACKLING BACK PAIN FROM SITTING

Sitting for extended periods shortens our hip flexors and leads to restrictions in our upper back and neck. These restrictions then begin to manifest in the lower back.

Even if sitting behind a desk 9 to 5 is part of your day job, there are exercises you can do or lifestyle adaptions you can incorporate into your routine so that you don't sit for too long and cause total dysfunction throughout your body.

The earlier you can infiltrate changes into your daily routine and work-life balance, the better off you will secure a more comfortable future.

Here are six helpful tips, so that you can avoid sitting down for too long:

• Go for a walk at lunch-time

Working from home is a more frequent reality these days, it means that taking actual lunch breaks during the day often falls by the wayside. Create a schedule or a reminder in your calendar to get moving, for at least 20 minutes.

• Get a coffee or tea

Whether you're a caffeine person or not, grabbing a beverage of your choice forces you to get up from your chair even if it's for 5 minutes.

• Set up a work-stand situation

This isn't always possible and depends on your living or office arrangements, but even placing a high box on top of a desk and situating your laptop up on the box so you can stand and work for a short while makes a difference.

• Walk and talk

Make a conscious effort to stand up and walk around while chatting on the phone; this will help you get your blood flowing.

• Use the stairs over the lift

Ok if you're on the 22nd floor, this may be a big ask to accomplish every day. But we all know that taking the stairs over the elevator is a good idea. If your desired floor is too high, try taking the lift up to a certain level and taking stairs for the rest.

• Get active

If moving your body is increasingly tricky during a busy workday, schedule a good workout regime that you can adhere to or go for walks after work and on the weekends. Meet your friends for a hike, take the kids to the park and limit yourself from making too many excuses. Your back will thank you later.

If you need a further push, WebMD identified 13 reasons sitting too long is bad for your health in general, not only your back.

The obvious and likeliest attempts to correct back pain is to pop a couple of handy ibuprofen tablets and carry on with the rest of the day.

Though this muster of courage is admirable and may conveniently eliminate the ache for a short period, it, unfortunately, won't solve the problem, at least not in the long run.

It also won't help identify what you're doing to cause this kind of a pain in the first place or where it's coming from exactly.

Athletes who are building bulk or new starters in the world of fitness both make the common and slightly toxic mistake of lifting or twerking their bodies with the incorrect form.

Suppose they're unconsciously doing exercises using their hips instead of moving from the lumbar spine.

In that case, lower back pain is sure to ensue. This then tricks most people into assuming that the root is sole with the lower back, not the connecting joint.

Back pain tends to be recurring and persistent, especially without taking the right steps to fix the problem and evaluate lifestyle choices, posture and many other regular habits.

Sometimes the issue is a poor habit you didn't even realise you had.

With joint functionality within the body being interconnected, it's essential that you work out where your pain surfaced from and why it's affecting a specific area.

The road to feeling better is not always a small, simple fix that we can alleviate on our own; a professional opinion or rehab plan is often necessary.

That's where we come in as fully trained and experienced therapists. At Osteo LDN you'll receive the valuable guidance you need.

Your therapist will guide you on an effective treatment plan focussing solely on practices specifically tailored to you and the healing that your body requires.

Back pain and other joint concerns do not have to affect your life for the long term. There are various restorative techniques available, so please contact a member of our team to book your appointment today.

Unsure whether our services are right for you? Then feel free to schedule a free telephone consultation with an expert therapist today.

Getting the right assistance will inevitably answer the enduring question of 'where does by back pain come from?' and 'Why me? Why!', but it will also place you on a path towards a much more comfortable day to day existence.

Who wouldn't prefer that kind of ease in their life?

Back pain, we'd like to bid you adieu.