Our role in supporting the health of our community -
Celebrating Chiropractic Awareness WeekÂ
This Chiropractic Awareness Week (22nd April – 28th April) the team at Bluebell Wellness and the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) have embarked on a mission to improve the back, bone and joint health of our community.
Recent data from a 2023 study by the BCA shows that over half (56%) of Brits across the country feel hesitant about seeking help from their GP about bone and joint related issues* – with data from NHS England showing that over 30 million working days are lost due to musculoskeletal conditions every year in the UK*.
Our profession’s annual awareness week, Chiropractic Awareness Week, aims to raise awareness about the importance of back, bone and joint health. Together, we’ve gathered a series of tips, tricks and hacks you can add into your daily routine to keep the back pain at ease:
Tips to keep back, bone and joint pain at ease
Sit up: If you’re watching TV or using a computer or mobile device for a prolonged period of time, make sure you are sitting comfortably with your back supported in the base of the chair. Sitting with your head forward adds strain on your neck and back, so also make sure that you are sitting with your head directly over your body.
Get moving: You back loves to stay active, so try and move around every 20-30 minutes, whether at home or at work (an easy trick is to stand up every time you’re on the phone). Being active is also a great way to keep back pain at bay, but don’t be tempted to go straight in, full throttle with high endurance-based activities, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. You can gradually build up your exercise load with swimming, walking or yoga which can be less demanding on your body, while still keeping you physically active.
Take a break: When sitting for long periods of time, ensure you stand up and move around every 30 minutes. When at work, also make sure your desk is set up to support a comfortable position. This is different for everyone so if you don’t feel comfortable in your current set up, try altering the height of your chair or screen.
Sleep comfortably: The Sleep Council recommends buying a new mattress at least every 7 years. Mattresses lose their support over time, so if you can feel the springs through your mattress, or the mattress is no longer level, your mattress is no longer providing the support you need. Everyone has different support requirements, so when purchasing your mattress ensure it is supportive for you. If you share a bed and require different mattress types, consider two single mattresses which are designed to be joined together, to ensure you both get the support you need.
Check your workspace: If your job primarily involves sitting at a desk and staring at a computer for hours at a time, make sure your desk is set up to support a comfortable position. This is different for everyone so if you don’t feel comfortable in your current set up, try altering the height of your chair or screen. Â
* The research, conducted with OnePoll and the BCA, surveyed 5,000 people across the UK to understand the impact NHS waiting lists are having on MSK health.
About the British Chiropractic Association: The BCA is the largest and longest-standing association for Chiropractors in the UK and has been named ‘Best Professional Body of the Year’ at the Memcom Excellence Awards 2022 for its Repositioning Project which has played a pivotal role in changing the healthcare landscape for the better. As well as promoting international standards of education and exemplary conduct, the BCA supports Chiropractors to progress and develop to fulfil their professional ambitions with honour and integrity, at every step. The BCA is raising awareness about the rigour, relevance and evidence driving the profession and the association’s ambition for chiropractic to be more closely embedded within mainstream healthcare.