Calling all achey neck sufferers!! Now that the weather's taken a cold turn, have you noticed how everyone seems to walk along the street with their shoulders hunched up around their ears?! ( I realise that as osteopath's we're probably a bit more obsessed with noticing everyone's posture, but I'm sure some of you will have spotted it too!) While this position does make you feel a little warmer, it also shortens the muscles about your neck and shoulders, resulting in them feeling stiff and achey, and bringing back any previous neck problems to the surface. How to avoid this? First choice would be a winter get-away to somewhere nice and warm... Quicker, cheaper option - wear a scarf!! Just notice how much taller you walk, and help to avoid those aching neck pains.

Another good trick for easing everyday muscluar aches is using hot and cold compresses. All you need is a hot water bottle and an ice pack (covered with a pillowcase to protect your skin from ice burn). Place the hot compress on the sore spot for 3 mintues, then follow this with the cold compress for just 1 minute. You need to repeat this process three times to get the full effects, always finishing with the cold! However, if you have just injured yourself, it is best to use only the cold compress for 5 minute periods for the first two days following the injury. You can then move on to the hot/cold routine once the inital inflammation has gone down.

This is a bit of an experiment on our part..we thought it would be a good opportunity to empty our heads of all the general back pain musings that wonder around in them itching for a chance of discussion and expression....and also to give you, our favourite people, a chance to ask us questions should the desire so happen upon you. SO HERE WE GO! I would like to start this momentous occasion with a question: Has anyone considered doing yoga to help them with their back pain? If not, TRY IT! It really works!!! So much of the back pain I treat on a daily basis is simply caused by lack of movement, by sitting for hours on end at desks, or on couches, or driving. The muscles just get really tight and stiff and just need a good stretch!

JULIET KITCHING, OSTEOPATH

 

 

 

 

 

 

CYRIL IRVINE, OSTEOPATH