Back Pain

While osteopathy is commonly used to treat back or neck problems, it can also help with other pains, such as tension headaches, repetitive strain injury (RSI) or postural imbalance.

Wellbeing talks to British Osteopathic Association member Hector Wells, (www.hectorwells.co.uk) who is based in Banbury, Oxfordshire about how an osteopath could help with other problems.

Back pain, headache, neck stiffness, inflamed joints- have you ever wondered if your aches and pains stem from something you are doing to yourself? Perhaps it is the way you unconsciously tighten your back to sit and stand, or the result of constantly narrowing your shoulders and shortening the muscles in the back of your neck as you deal with the daily pressures of life.

Although Joe Pilates did not create Standing Pilates, he would have realized the benefits of taking Pilates off the floor and turning it on its feet. Why? Because weightbearing exercises are essential for todayís aging population to prevent osteoporosis. Also, to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to prevent prolapse, and to improve our balance, all of which can be affected as we age and by poor posture.

Nagging pain is an ailment that can seriously affect your enjoyment of life. Your sleep can suffer, your mood can plummet like a stone. It can affect your work, your relationships, everything you do daily.

Headaches are so commonplace that many of us have simply accepted them as an inevitable part of our modern, everyday lives. Indeed, it isnít the fact that 98% of the population suffer from headaches that is worrying, it is more that the majority of us have decided that a headache is "normal", and that taking a couple of tablets is the most effective solution.

I don't know about you but I find that getting motivated to exercise can be quite a challenge. I love to feel fit and healthy and but working long hours, dark mornings and nights give me all the excuses under the sun not to get down the gym or go out for a run. I have been insearch of an exercise routine, something that excited and motivated me to get in shape.

Getting back to normal life was something I had dreaded. It was strange; I almost pined for the novelty of my abnormal life and the attention that surrounded it. Going back to a same life, was harder than living a different one.

There is a long list of factors which can cause or contribute to back pain, including lack of physical activity, bad posture, obesity, stress or heavy lifting.

Everyone seems to mishear and nobody seems to have any idea what it is, and indeed the only reason I know about it is that I was asked to help a friend out who was studying to become a therapist and needed a guinea pig for her case history, three weeks in a row.

Dutifully and sceptically I lay down on her couch, telling her that my lower back was hurting all the time, and had very little hope of anything happening to make it better.

Wednesday 2nd December, 11am to 3pm

FREE mince pies, mulled wine and presents for children FREE talks, advice and demonstrations from practitioners FREE chiropractic posture checks Mini massage and beauty therapy sessions available to get you ready for Christmas