DIY and Your Spine

The corona virus has really turned our world (literally) upside down.

It has decimated many world economies and affected the lifestyle of billions of people. 

It has temporarily hamstrung our lifestyle restricting the many things that for so long we have regarded as normal activities.

For many people however the Covid 19 virus has given them more of one precious commodity: time.

More time to be with immediate family, to reflect on their lifestyles and to prioritize what in life is important.

For chiropractors, one of the most fascinating outcomes of the corona virus is the increase in the occurrence of sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries. 

This has occurred due to the formation of a new social subclass: the DIY warrior!

Have you been to your local hardware or Bunnings store recently? Have you seen the crowds lining up to get into these places? 

Home isolation has given many people lots of time to just sit and look around. 

It is probably only now that they realize that the bedroom could do with a fresh coat of paint or the laundry and bathroom could do with a makeover.

Along with all the lifestyle programmes bombarding our every senses, comes the false belief that “if they (the television personalities) can renovate a bathroom in one hour then how difficult can it be?”

So, armed with unlimited enthusiasm both men and women are marching into hardware stores and confronting overworked staff with a multitude of questions on materials, procedures, and equipment to complete home projects.

White collar workers are rolling up their sleeves, bodies unprepared and launching themselves into the vigour’s of a big manual day of labour with the outcome being unexpected injuries and long days of recuperation.

So how do we avoid such potential injuries?

Preparation. 

By this I don’t mean, making sure that you have the correct paint brush or screwdriver to do the job. 

It’s about making sure that your body is property prepared before you begin.

So, if you are going to be bending over all day then make sure that you stretch the appropriate muscle groups: your lower back, lower limb, and buttock muscles.

Also work within your body’s capabilities.  

You don’t start jogging for the first time with the intention of completing a marathon on your first run. 

Manual labour is no different.  If you are not used to or fit enough to perform the task, then TAKE IT EASY. 

It would be better to complete a project over several days or weeks than to work well beyond your physical capabilities and spend a long bout of your creative time in bed.

The Mount Street Chiropractic Centre continues to maintain its focus on delivering excellent patient service and has done so over the last 35 years.

Our Chiropractor: Joe Donnoli is highly experienced in dealing with a variety of muscular and joint related injuries.

All assessments and treatments are based on sound clinical practices and techniques and a positive client outcome is our main priority.