Hello everyone!
After a wonderful wedding day and an incredible honeymoon, Matt and Zoe are now back in the clinic and settling back into normal life.
They had the most amazing wedding day. Luckily, the weather was on their side, with plenty of sunshine to enjoy the day with all their favourite people.
Their honeymoon was just as special. They were lucky enough to see the Big Five on safari, along with plenty of other incredible wildlife, before heading to Mauritius for some much-needed relaxation by the beach.
A huge thank you to all of you for being so patient and understanding while Matt was away, rearranging appointments where needed and bearing with us while we they away from the phone and emails. It is really appreciated.
But enough wedding talk… otherwise this blog post will go on forever!
Is Your Spine Ready for Autumn?
As the evenings get darker and the temperatures start to drop, October is a great opportunity to think about your general health and wellbeing — including your bones, joints and spine.
There are several health awareness campaigns taking place throughout October, making it a good time to check in with how your body is feeling and whether there are any changes you could make to keep yourself moving well.
Bone and Joint Health
Bone and Joint Health National Action Week takes place from 12–20 October, highlighting the importance of looking after our musculoskeletal health.
Musculoskeletal problems can affect people of all ages and can have an impact on everyday activities, from walking and exercising to working and simply getting a good night's sleep.
Our takeaway:
Don't feel that you have to simply put up with ongoing aches and pains. Staying active, maintaining strength and mobility, and getting appropriate advice when symptoms persist can all play an important role in looking after your musculoskeletal health.
World Spine Day – 16 October
World Spine Day takes place on 16 October and provides a great reminder to look after the spine throughout our lives.
Whether you work at a desk, spend your days on your feet, exercise regularly or simply enjoy keeping active, your spine is involved in almost everything you do.
A few simple habits can make a difference:
Move regularly
If you spend a lot of time sitting, try to break up long periods of sitting with regular movement.
Check your workstation
If you work from a desk, make sure your screen, chair and keyboard are set up comfortably for you.
Keep active
Walking, swimming, strength training and other forms of regular exercise can all help you maintain strength, mobility and general physical health.
Listen to your body
If something doesn't feel right or you have persistent pain, don't simply ignore it and hope it disappears.
National Work Life Week – 5–9 October
National Work Life Week is a great reminder that our working environment can have an impact on our physical wellbeing too.
With more people working from home or using a hybrid working setup, it's easy to find yourself working from the sofa, kitchen table or anywhere else that happens to be convenient!
Similar to the above habits to look out for:
If you're spending several hours at a desk, take a little time to consider your setup and, more importantly, remember that movement is just as important as your workstation setup.
Try not to stay in one position for too long and build regular movement breaks into your working day.
Looking After Your Spine Beyond October
Awareness weeks and health campaigns are a great reminder to look after ourselves, but our musculoskeletal health isn't something we should only think about once a year.
Whether you're currently dealing with back or neck pain, experiencing stiffness, returning to exercise or simply want to stay active as you get older, small and consistent habits can make a big difference.
If you're experiencing a problem that isn't settling or you'd like some advice about your symptoms, we're always happy to help.
Here's to keeping you moving well this autumn!