Stretching helps flexibility, improves joint range of movement and reduces risk of injury. Stretching incorrectly can do more harm than good. But what is the best and safest way to stretch? Use these tips to keep stretching safe: Don’t stretch cold muscles as you may hurt yourself. Stretching should not replace a warmup. Before stretching,…
Stretching can help improve flexibility and range of motion around your joints, which in turn reduce your risk of injury and improve performance. Good flexibility of your body can: 1. Improve your performance in physical activities. This can range from your ability to run faster with better technique through to simply being able to get…
Long haul flying in economy class can be downright unpleasant at times. The journey is long, its cramped and you just can’t sleep. The only good thing is you can binge watch movies (if you haven’t already seen them!) The best advice is to start preparing for your journey well before you excitedly board that…
Imagine this: You are four hours into the 17-hour long-haul flight. You are half way through the second movie of the six you plan to binge on, when you notice an ache in your lower back. You are seated two in from the aisle and your partner is soundly sleeping next to you. You twist…
How to reduce the chance of knee pain spoiling a good holiday Have you ever experienced knee pain on holidays? It can from nowhere, give you pain at the most unexpected times and then you are worried about doing too much. A common problem that can be avoided. Travel can often involve negotiating more stairs…
Handbags and small day bags can cause shoulder and neck soreness and pain Travelling can involve many hours out and about, sight-seeing and exploring new cities and places. We often take a small day bag with us to carry the essentials for that day. If you have a heavy day bag over one shoulder, it…
Avoiding foot and lower leg pain when travelling Travelling – as fabulous as it is – can often cause havoc to the body. We usually start the travelling experience with a prolonged period of sitting either on a plane, in a car, bus or train which puts strain on the lower back. We then proceed…
Let’s talk about the problems of carting heavy luggage and its impact on the lower back and shoulders You stumble off the plane after enduring 17 hours of cramped conditions. Your lower back and neck are stiff, but it feels great to be moving, striding out as you walk the kilometres to the baggage reclaim…
The lower back and the role of core stabilising muscles When you have any sort of back pain, the core stabilisers, including the muscles adjacent to your spine don’t function very well. These muscles normally activate involuntarily, milliseconds prior to movement, such as getting out of a chair, walking or bending. They keep the spine…
Everyday things we do that lead to back injuries Back pain or injuries usually occur when too much pressure it put on the back structures including the discs, the muscles and ligaments. Too much pressure on these structures can occur several ways: Lifting a big load in a bent and or twisted position. A big…