We're well into 2024, so I thought it would be useful to share my top health tips as a Henleaze Osteopath to help you all enjoy a happier and healthier 2024.
As many of my patients know, I work based on prevention being better than cure, so it is vital to help the body combat potential issues before they present at my Bristol osteopathic clinic.
There are a few simple but effective steps that can be adopted in the coming months to give the best possible physical and mental health. My recommendations include:
Sitting posture
On the whole, we sit badly and nearly all of us sit for too long.
The way we sit impacts not just our mobility but our whole health. Sitting posture is overlooked by so many people. The NHS estimates that back pain is the single largest cause of disability in the UK, with lower back pain accounting for 11% of total disability.
I routinely see and treat patients suffering from back, neck and lower back pain issues caused by poor posture and sitting too long in their everyday lives.
We need to sit better and move more.
‘Better sitting for healthy living’. This is the strapline for the Z chair.
I created the Z Chair as an alternative to a poor sitting posture and is has been incredibly well-received since the launch. Find out more about it here.
Hydration
Most people do not drink enough water daily, and dehydration is a major cause of problems. BUPA recommends that most adults need roughly 2.5 litres per day.
The muscles, skin, brain, blood every cell in the body need regular hydration to perform well.
Gentle Exercise Daily
Not everybody can undertake strenuous exercise daily, so I recommend patients in this position consider gentle forms of exercise instead.
Activities such as Nordic Walking, Dog Walking, Power Walking, Swimming, Cycling, aqua- aerobics and Gardening are all good ways to improve cardiovascular health.
Visit here to find out more.
Take micro-breaks
As mentioned earlier, it is easy to stay seated at a desk at home or in the office for hours, but this can cause significant health issues over time. Taking micro-breaks will improve your health in 2024.
Taking a micro-break and moving every 20 minutes will reduce postural strain, improve circulation, give your eyes a break from a screen and give the brain a little rest. There is evidence to suggest that micro-breaking makes you more productive as well as healthier.
Find out more about the importance of micro-breaks here.
Give yourself an MOT
In my view, one of the most important osteopathic treatments in Bristol I offer is an MOT, or Maintenance Osteopathic Treatment to help identify and prevent potential problems. Prevention is better than cure.
My MOT treatment can help to improve movement, increase flexibility and give patients more stability. Find out about it here.
To make a booking with me, please visit here.