Tag Archive for: BCA

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Anti-Inflammatory Injection – Press Release from the BCA

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The news that an anti-inflammatory injection will soon be available for some people in the UK with chronic, inflammatory back pain called Ankylosing Spondylitis, will be welcomed by those suffering from the condition which is currently estimated to be around 200,000 people

The vast majority of people suffering from back pain in the UK have the form that is ‘mechanical’ in origin, which can result from wear and tear, poor posture, strains or injury, as opposed to inflammatory disease. There are already many viable options for treatment of inflammatory disease which have been outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. These guidelines on the management of lower back pain include recommending a course of treatment of manipulation, which is provided by chiropractors who are also very well placed to diagnose and treat mechanical back pain.

Tim Hutchful of the British Chiropractic Association, said: “Patients with inflammatory disease affecting their spine form a very small proportion of the total population who have back pain and for these patients, the availability of this drug may make a huge difference to their quality of life. However, the vast majority of patients I see as a chiropractor have back pain that is caused by injury, strain or wear and tear and this form of back pain responds well to a package of care that may include manipulation”.

Figures used were according to Ankylosing Spondylitis guidebook for patients from the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society October 2012

44% of the population stated they currently had some form of back pain or discomfort – British Chiropractic Association February 2013

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Great Tips to Stay Pain Free for the Easter Weekend from the BCA

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The British Chiropractic Association has some great tips to help avoid any problems with your back and posture this Easter:

DIY projects:

People in some parts of the UK are unlikely to be gardening, but there will be plenty of indoor projects to be getting on with.

When using a ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing it, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction.

Rather than leaning or reaching, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are. Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.

If you are painting a ceiling, think about getting the largest amount of paint on in the shortest space of time. Use a paint pad or roller with an extended handle and hold it at chest height. Keep your head as neutral as possible and keep facing forward so you don’t over exert your neck. If you can lie down – do!

Plan ahead – If you are planning a trip to the local DIY store to buy heavy items such as cement or gravel, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry. If buying in bulkier amounts, shovel the contents of the large bags straight into smaller containers or wheelbarrow from the back of the car.

If having items delivered, have them unloaded as close to where you need them as possible; this will save the effort of moving them again.

Travelling:

If you are flying, drink plenty of water and NOT alcohol during the flight as this will cause dehydration, which could aggravate muscle pain.

Whether travelling by plane, train or car – you will be restricted in your seat for most of the journey, but avoid stiffness by doing shoulder shrugs, buttock clenches and foot circles.

If on a train or plane, try to stand up and move around every 20-40 minutes or, when you stop for a petrol/food break on a car journey, take the opportunity to just stretch and shake out your limbs to allow your muscles to relax.

Compensate for your prolonged time of inactivity during the journey by doing light exercise – just going for a brisk 20 minute walk once you have arrived at your destination will help

Staying at home:

Although the TV schedules are likely to have plenty to please or you may want to spend time playing your latest computer game, try to avoid sitting for long periods; take a break at least every 40 minutes.

Make the most of the leisure time and fit some exercise in – whether it be a run, time at the gym or going for a walk with friends and family. Active games such as Wii, Kinect or old fashioned favourites like Twister will help keep you moving!

Happy Easter!!

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Great advice on Sleeping and Beds from the BCA

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Research carried out on behalf of Premier Inn suggests that you can tell a lot about someone’s personality by the position they sleep in. Your bed can also be the cause of back pain and the British Chiropractic Association has some great advice for sleep posture and how to choose your bed and pillow.

Choosing the right bed can minimise those factors that may lead to, or aggravate back pain. Research by the British Chiropractic Association in 2011 showed that of those experiencing back pain, 41% of women and 36% of men said that their pain could be brought on by a night’s so-called ‘rest’.
We come in different weights, shapes and sizes, but have one thing in common; we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, so should choose our beds carefully.
Which is better, a hard or soft mattress? – The best mattress is a ’supportive one‘. A 16 stone person sleeping on a mattress may not get the same support as a 10 stone person sleeping on the same mattress.

How do I know which is the right mattress for me? – If you are lying on your side, your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag (bed too soft) or bow (bed too hard). The longer you can spend lying on a mattress before you buy it, the more accurate this feeling will be. – Your pillow should be an extension of this i.e. your neck should be a continuation of the straight spine and not too high or too low.
What about my partner? –   Always shop with your partner as your respective ideal mattress tensions could be very different.  If this is the case, buy beds from a range that allow two single mattresses to be zipped together, so that you both get the support you need.

How do I know if my current bed/mattress needs replacing? –  Are you and your partner getting comfortable nights sleep? If the answer is no, your bed may be the problem. -Can you feel the springs through the mattress? If the answer is yes, it is definitely time to buy a new one. –  Is the bed more that 10 years old? If the answer is yes, consider purchasing a new one – beds wear out and may sag or lose support with time.

What things can I do to help prevent back problems even with my new mattress? – Try and adopt a sleeping position which creates less physical stress on the back. For example, lying on your side is better than lying on your front with your neck twisted to one side. –  Keep moving and avoid being in any one position for too long.

No matter how comfy the position may initially feel, the longer you stay in one position, the more this will ‘load joints’. If your partner moves around a lot at night, try separate beds for a while as your partner’s movement could aggravate YOUR back condition! –  Drink water. Keep well hydrated; dehydration can make muscles ache. –   Don’t leap out of bed first thing in the morning. After you have woken up wake up, try some gentle stretches. –   Wake up your body. Once up, avoid bending or doing anything sudden or strenuous until you back wakes up!