Spinal Health Week 21 -27 May, 2012

Do you spend most of your day sitting, whether it’s at work, in the car, on public transport, or watching TV? Well, you’re not alone. Australia is a nation of ‘sitters’ and its starting to take its toll on our health.

As part of Spinal Health Week 2012, chiropractors at Byron Bay Chiropractic Centre will be encouraging patients and the Byron Shire community to prioritise their spinal health by sitting less and moving more.

The week heralds the launch of Sit Right, a national initiative that aims to encourage Australians to take note of the potentially dire health consequences from prolonged sitting.

Australians are spending more time than ever sitting which not only causes spinal damage, but increases the risk of disease and even death. Sit Right focuses on the dangers of long-term sitting, especially for office workers, and offers solutions for common ‘sitting sins.’

So why not improve your health simply by standing up and moving around more? It’s also important you take regular breaks from sitting to stretch, stand, change or correct your posture or walk around your office.

And while you are sitting, here are a few things to remember:

• Keep your hips, elbows and knees at open angles (slightly more than 90 degrees)
• Recline slightly to ease lower back pressure
• Ensure your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest
• Position the centre of your computer screen at eye level and tilt the monitor upwards slightly
• Only use wrist rests while resting, not while typing

An active spine is a healthy spine and a healthy spine leads to a healthier life. Why not use Spinal Health Week to make an appointment with our clinic to assess your spinal health and discuss how being more active will improve your wellbeing?

To improve your spinal health, contact Keran at Byron Bay Chiropractic Centre Ph:66809991 for an appointment today.

Sit Right campaign launches Spinal Health Week (21-27 May)

Byron Bay residents are warned to get off their backsides or risk long-term spinal damage and developing chronic diseases.

That’s the message from the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) who is urging residents to Sit Right this Spinal Health Week (21 – 27 May).

As part of the week, Bruce Campbell is launching the CAA’s Sit Right campaign, a national initiative designed to prompt Australians to prioritise their spinal health and take note of the dangers of the simple act of sitting.

Bruce said prolonged sitting can have dire health consequences as our bodies are designed for movement, not a sedentary lifestyle.

“Australians are spending more time than ever sitting which is placing immense pressure on their spines. For optimum spinal health, we need to get out of our chairs.

“Many people are also sitting incorrectly so it’s important they look at the CAA’s Sit Right checklist to ensure they maintain good posture and prevent back pain,”

Tips from the checklist include:
• Keep your hips, elbows and knees at open angles (slightly more than 90 degrees)
• Recline slightly to ease lower back pressure
• Ensure your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest
• Factor in short, regular breaks from sitting to stretch, stand, change or correct your posture or walk around the office.

For Spinal Health Week, the CAA has also launched a free Sit Right widget, which can be downloaded to help prompt you to take regular breaks. www.sitright.com.au

To promote the message that a healthy spine leads to a healthier life, Bruce and Kimberley at Byron Bay Chiropractic Centre are available to conduct workplace health presentations to educate local businesses and their staff.

“Spinal Health Week is a great reminder to make an appointment with your local CAA chiropractor to assess your spinal health and discuss how a more active lifestyle will improve your overall wellbeing,” said Bruce