Back Pain is now ubiquitous in the “New Normal”

A few lifestyle tweaks that can transform your life.?

Just when you thought that something couldn’t get worse, along comes Covid and all that has meant, especially the ‘Working From Home’ thing. Before we even started spending most of our time locked up at home, back pain was already the leading cause of disability in the world amongst adults and the number two reason for seeking medical assistance after infections. Now things just became a whole lot worse!

As chiropractors on the front line treating patients every day, we see the same story playing out over and over again. Much of this pain and suffering, ranging from annoying aches and pains to life-changing disability, CAN be avoided by making some simple lifestyle changes.?

We tend to forget that we, as bio-structural beings, are constantly changing our physiology as we adapt to our changing environment. In the old days we would stand, then sit, then jump, then walk, then sit, then walk, then run, then lift, then climb….. it was called living, and I’m sure you get the picture. This made sure we were strong, limber and resilient. Now we sit, and sit, and sit, and sit…….. and then we sit some more! No wonder there is a massive problem here, we are simply not designed for this world.?

Of course the main cause of this health problem now affecting most ‘modern’ families, has been the changing workplace and that double edged sword that is technology. No longer are we actively doing and creating things, we have machines for that; we just sit at computers and that I am afraid has become our life. In a modern city like Singapore, less than one job in five can be described as being remotely ‘active', and this is reflected in the appalling health statistics that show 80% of the adult population suffering from avoidable degenerative conditions. To throw more fuel on the fire we are now trying our damnedest to make things more automated, more convenient, and more computer based!?

So what’s the answer here? I know what I do. I look at the most unhealthy people and their lifestyles, and then I do the opposite. It’s worked for me. I think it’s well understood that our habits, both good and bad, tend to drive our outcomes, so we simply need to create more good habits whilst identifying and quitting our more damaging habits. Sounds a little too simplistic really, doesn’t it? But it at least can give us a framework to build on.

We know that the main problem is that we choose to sit too often, and of course we do it for too long and usually with poor posture. And then to make sure that things really do become a big problem we fail to do the simple things to bring the body back into balance. So we stiffen, we grow into a new unhealthy shape, our body deconditions, our joints deteriorate and we hasten aging. Not much fun!?:(

And I do get it. The corporations create this work environment as it makes them more money. But then we add to this our inborn software that urges us to conserve energy and take the easy road. However, the strongest tree is not the one in the middle of the forest, it’s the one exposed to the elements, clinging to the steepest slope, life itself strengthening it by the day.?

Our environment strengthens us or weakens us.

We simply need to spend more time out of our comfort zones, where we can grow, adapt, strengthen and thrive. Obviously you can’t rely on medicine to keep you healthy, that’s not their job, it’s your job. Health and happiness are inseparable - don’t find out the hard way. It’s time to stand on our own two feet and it’s time to choose health.?

Of course most of us are sitting right now, but we CAN choose to sit less often. We can use standing desks and have walking meetings; we can stand on the tube, or even walk a stop or two. We can choose activities that involve movement, we can find hobbies that work our bodies, we can fall in love with movement and exercise again. Who else is at their happiest when out in nature walking, exploring, climbing, cycling, swimming, skiing or golfing? I know I am. Or engaging in team sports, or tennis, or what about that feeling of contentment and achievement when you’ve just run an extra K. Whatever is, or might become, your ‘thing’, I urge you to improve your chances by doing what in reality you already know. Start taking small steps in the right direction and then just keep going. Your body will love you for it and life will be better.

Of course, most people, whilst intuitively knowing I’m right, will put if off for another day. Too busy, too tired, too stressed, too scared to make the first move. So, my question for you is this….. ”If not now…...WHEN?” What will it take for you to start to make some healthy changes? Just don’t leave it too late.

Remember, the healthiest and happiest groups of people on the planet don’t exercise – they don’t need to. They live in communities that work the land, and their day to day life keeps them on the move. They have real purpose, real connection with their community, and life is joyful. They develop strong bones and muscles, becoming flexible, resilient and aging becomes a beautiful thing. They sleep like babies and suffer virtually no disease.

And then there’s us and the “New Normal”. We have removed ourselves as much as we possibly can from this more natural life. We simply have to reintroduce activities and strategies to make our lives more ‘natural’.