Apparently I have to do some form of penance for suggesting to my colleagues that Spring is my favourite time of the year. “Why?” they asked. “Because we see more people with low back pain as a result of being less mobile in the winter then going out and buying a new spade and spending too much time digging” I said. It seems I am a bad boy.

If you want to spend time in the garden this coming Spring it would be a really good idea to have a plan, including steady increase in activity levels in advance of going out all day in the mud. This picture shows a good way to keep and improve suppleness. Getting out and making the legs strong again after a winter indoors is also a worthwhile activity. Try to vary the jobs you do, Don’t spend the day digging and barrowing it will only end in tears. If you know you have a problem with your back, neck, hip (or other joint) try not to push it too hard. Variety is the spice of life, so taking regular breaks will help. At the end of the day stretch your legs, back and shoulders, take a hot bath and the following morning, regardless of whether you are going to repeat the previous day’s activity gently stretch, warm up and keep moving. The worst thing to experience is a bout of sciatica, which can be avoided by following these reccommendations above.

Hope not to see you in clinic but, if you end up injured – back, neck, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows or wrists. Here’s our number: 01270 886288 and a booking link: https://osteopathy-works-ltd.au1.cliniko.com/bookings Just in case.