Great Summer Camping Tips from the BCA!

School holidays and the tents are out of storage, brushed down and ready for action. Sleeping away from your normal mattress and on harder surfaces could cause problems for your back, so the British Chiropractic Association has some great tips for more comfortable camping.

Protect your back – Ensure your back is protected against a hard and potentially damp surface by sleeping on a quality approved camping mat or air mattress. Try these out in the outdoor shop before buying – most good stores will have samples available. Try to also take a pillow, if you are used to having one. A blow-up pillow is the most portable…. even better, take your usual pillow from home.

Prep your sleeping area first – make sure to remove large stones or sticks that could dig into your spine.

Sleep sensibly – You should endeavor to sleep in a position where your spine is in a straight line as this helps to avoid neck and back pain.

Lift and carry with care- 57% of Brits believe that lifting and carrying is a major trigger for their back and neck pain, so take care when loading and unloading your camping gear. Two bags are better than one – If possible, pack your gear into more bags rather than less, so you can distribute the weight more evenly and reduce the strain on your back when lifting and carrying them. You can get advice on lifting and carrying here.

Straighten Up! Our set of simple stretches and exercises can be done at home and on the campsite and help support a healthier posture. See them in action and learn how to do them here.