Many of us take our backs for granted, that is until it starts to play up! The moment a person has back pain their quality of life diminishes. Although slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of back pain, along with slipped discs, the biggests reasons for back pain occuring are in fact obesity, staying in the same position for too long (for example, working at your PC) and lack of fitness.

So, here are a few ideas on how to help yourself beat back pain and discomfort

1.Ask your occupational health professionals at work for a risk assessment to be done on your work station
2.When driving make sure your lower back is pushed into the back of the seat for better support of your spine
3.Ease back pain with knee stretches, lie on the floot and slowly bring one knee to your chest and hold, then the other
4.Increase your intake of anti inflammatory omega 3 oils with flaxseed to keep your joints supple.

Its getting cold outside so now is a great time to take stock of how you look after yourself during the winter months when there is not as much sunshine going around to help make vitamin D!

Be happy!

Elizabeth