Mind your back
If, like many men, you’re living with a bad back, read on for expert advice on how to ease pain and protect your spine
It’s a condition that will affect most of us at some point and, for many, a bad back spells absolute agony. And it seems that, as a nation, our dodgy backs are getting worse. According to a recent survey, it’s estimated Brits now take more than nine million sick days a year due to chronic back pain.
So why do so many of us have bad backs? One possible culprit is our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, says Tim Hutchful, a British Chiropractic Association (BCA) chiropractor. ‘We’re seeing a rise in the number of people experiencing back- and neck-related problems because they spend most of their day seated,’ he says.
While being overweight won’t necessarily cause a bad back, it can make matters significantly worse, says chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Carrying extra weight puts more stress and strain on your lower back, and if you’re also not very active, you’re unlikely to have developed the core strength needed to support your spine effectively.’
The good news is that losing excess weight and adding in more activity can both help prevent back pain and facilitate a speedier recovery, says Slimming World nutritionist Alexandra Clark. ‘Building up your Body Magic, Slimming World’s simple activity programme, is a great way to get into the habit of sitting less, and will help to strengthen your bones, improve your posture, and reduce stress – all of which can play a role in back pain,’ she says.