Docklands, get more mobile this March

March is “Mobility Month”, and as your local chiropractor, I’m urging all Docklands residents to test their movement, mobility and safeguard their spinal health.

A staggering three-quarters (72.2 per cent) of people who had to work from home suffered posture-related pains – now chiropractors across the country want to ensure the damage isn’t lasting.

Spinal problems can go beyond physical pain with a third (32.6 per cent) of Aussies living with pain, admitting it impacts their mobility, and one in five (20.7 per cent) say it causes them anxiety and depression. Experts say four simple test exercises could determine the state of your spinal health and whether you need to seek professional help.

This Mobility Month, as Docklanders approach the two-year anniversary of the “new normal”, Dr Mike from Docklands Health is advising Docklands locals to assess their spinal health and mobility with a simple four stage test.

During the past two years, myself and other chiropractors across the country have seen a worrying increase in patients who are reporting back and neck pain, caused by changes in their lifestyle – like working from home and not being able to exercise. So, we want to encourage everyone to proactively check their mobility and protect their health and wellbeing.

According to research, a third of people living with pain (such as neck and back pain), admitted to having reduced movement and mobility (32.6 per cent) which has significantly impacted their quality of life. For instance, one in 10 (11.5 per cent), admitted to no longer being able to play with their children, and 11.8 per cent of candidates, also said this “reduced mobility” impacted their ability to have intimate relationships (11.8 per cent).

However, mobility issues can go much further than just highlighting spinal pain and can often indicate an array of significantly more serious health issues. For instance, research shows that those with a sedentary lifestyle and posture-related pain, double their risk of being exposed to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, as well as an increase their risk of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression, and anxiety.

Mobility Month is the perfect time to give yourself a movement assessment, identify if your body is not as mobile as it could be, and seek the guidance of professionals if needed.

To help Docklanders assess their mobility, and safeguard their risk of serious health implications, some simple tests have been developed to try at home •