In the exciting build up to Christmas, lots of us will be spending more time than usual in the kitchen! If this sounds like you then take a look at this recent BCA article:

It’s the heart of every home, but have you considered the potential for damaging your back in the kitchen? Bending and stretching from cupboard to cupboard, lifting utensils and heavy equipment, standing for sustained periods of time preparing food and even washing the dishes – the tasks we undertake daily could be putting us at risk of back pain if attempted with the wrong posture.

Tim Hutchful, British Chiropractic Association (BCA) chiropractor, comments: “It is surprising how much time we spend in the kitchen doing physically arduous tasks that put pressure on our joints and muscles. Even making small changes to your usual routine and thinking more about the movements you make could have a significant difference on your body, leaving you fit, healthy and comfortable enough to enjoy the best part of your kitchen – eating the food you have prepared.”

Make your way safely around the kitchen and maintain optimum posture with the following advice from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA):

Unloading the shopping

·         Make the most of home deliveries – they will come to you and save you the stress and strain!

·         A weight held at arm’s length can have the effect of being up to five times heavier. Always carry heavy tins or boxes close to the body. Don’t lift and twist when putting the shopping away and be sure to face the direction of the cupboard or fridge

·         Store frequently used items between elbow and shoulder height to avoid regularly over stretching your back. Pull-out storage cupboards lessen the need to stretch or strain even more 

Cooking up a storm

·         When preparing food, make sure the counter top is the correct level for your height. You want to avoid stooping if it is too low or reaching up if it is too high. Preparing food on a deep wooden chopping board can help achieve the correct level

·         Lifting heavy pots, pans or utensils can strain your back muscles. Always face the direction in which you want to carry the weight, lift using a relaxed, straight back, make sure your legs are at least hips’ width apart and lift with bent knees

·         When reaching into cupboards for ingredients, avoid bending from the waist as it will increase stress on your lower back. Never keep the knees straight, as this could lead to over-stretching and cause damage to your back

Doing the dishes

·         Standing up straight whilst washing the dishes, rather than slumped over the sink, could make all the difference to back pain. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and don’t over stretch. If you need to, rest one foot on a stool to make sure you are comfortably positioned over the sink. Raise the washing-up bowl by placing a second upturned washing up bowl underneath it

·         Got a dishwasher? Remember to bend your knees and keep your back straight when loading and unloading the lower shelf

http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/safely-does-it-around-the-kitchen-90-news.aspx

We are currently offering 20 minute massage ‘taster’ sessions for free!  Massage can enhance the healing and repair of damaged soft tissues.  Injured muscles and ligaments develop scar tissue – massage increases blood flow and breaks down fibrous ‘nodules’ or ‘knots’, promoting a sense of wellbeing and helping with relaxation, sports conditioning, muscle pain, back pain, joint stiffness, joint mobility, joint sprains, recovery from injury, nerve pain, lymphatic drainage, energy levels, muscle spasm/tension and circulation.  Swedish Massage, Sports Massage and Indian Head Massage are all available at this clinic.  To meet Tracey and sample massage therapy call 01452 309372 today. 

What a perfect idea for birthday presents, thank you presents, or even –  dare I say it – Christmas presents!!!  Swedish body massage, specific sports or remedial massage, or Indian Head massage, who wouldn’t want one??? You can’t go wrong.

You can buy a massage gift voucher over the phone or by popping in when you pass by.  Drop us an email with your number and we’ll call you back!

Local Chiropractor Simon Rose will be walking the entire length of the Cotswold Way, that’s over 100 miles from Chipping Camden to Bath, in order to raise money for Bristol Children’s Hospital’s charity The Wallace and Gromit Appeal. 

Bristol Children’s Hospital does an amazing job day after day of looking after very poorly children.  Simon’s son Edward was born with a serious congenital heart defect called Fallot’s Tetralogy in 2007 and he received his life saving open heart surgery at Bristol Children’s Hospital in 2008. 

 Simon says “It is very important to myself and our family to be able to give something back to the Bristol Children’s Hospital after they saved our sons’ life.  He may need further corrective surgery when he is older and so we will always support their charity as much as we possibly can.”  Simon would like to split the money he raises between the intensive care unit and the cardiology unit who are currently trying to raise £250000 for a new echocardiogram machine.

Sponsorship forms in the reception room of Simon’s clinic the Longlevens Chiropractic & Sports Injury Clinic have drawn great attention and Simon has been truly touched by the generosity and support shown by patients so far.  “Here at the clinic we feel part of what is a really wonderful community in Longlevens.  In light of recent events in Gloucester with the riots etc it is important to remember that Gloucester really is a fantastic city made up of wonderful people and I am being shown great support by members of this community for my fundraising efforts.”

This will be the second major fundraising event that Simon has organised and completed, the first having been the Three Peaks in 2009.  The Cotswold Way challenge starts on September 8^th and Simon and three of his friends will complete it in four days.  You can sponsor Simon at www.justgiving.com/Leah-Rose