为什么像猫一样拉伸有利于背部健康
Back pain affects one in 10 people in the UK, and causes over 10 million sick days every year. If finding relief seems impossible, experts say that taking inspiration from our feline friends could be the key to achieving a healthier back... 1. Stretch "Have you ever watched a cat stretch?" asks physiotherapist Nikki Robinson. "They make it look like one of the most self-indulgent and pleasurable activities in the world." Nikki believes that giving yourself 2 minutes in bed to stretch every morning can release tension and better prepare your body for the tasks of the day. "You don't need to know what to do," she advises, "just trust your body and follow its need to stretch." When you have back pain, your muscles are often tight, which puts pressure on your nerves. "Stretching opens up the layers of your muscles, allowing the blood to flow more freely, so the pain can be prevented or improved," says Nikki. If you suffer from recurrent back pain, it's best to speak to a physiotherapist about specific stretches for your body, but follow Nikki's tips for getting the most release from a stretch: ● Stretch the area of tightness to the point where you can feel resistance but there is no pain - NEVER stretch into pain because your body will tighten up more. ● Hold this position and wait until you can feel the muscle release - this could vary from between 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the muscle or time of day. 2. Exercise It's easy to assume that resting is the best option for back pain, but staying active and moving as normally as possible is one of the most important ways you can help yourself. "It usually takes a serious injury to stop a cat from moving," says Nikki. "Gentle exercise is more beneficial than resting too much," she adds. So continue with activities like swimming, walking, yoga and pilates - but always tell the instructor of any back issues before the class. |