Casterbridge Chiropractic

Did you know simply standing up burns more energy than sitting?

It is a small shift, but rising to your feet asks your body to do a bit more work. Better still, standing quietly switches on the postural muscles that hold you upright, the very ones that clock off the moment you slump back into your chair. Think of them like a security light. Stand up and they flick on, slouch down and they power off.

How many times have you stood up today? Have a rough guess and pop it in the comments.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ The running shoes are back out! 👟

We’ve been a little quiet on the running front since Helen and Liam took on the Bath Half back in March, but that doesn’t mean the miles have stopped! There’s been plenty of training happening behind the scenes at Casterbridge Chiropractic.

JP is now in the final stretch of training for the Bournemouth Half Marathon on 11 October🏅 - the race is nearly here, so it’s time to start tapering and getting those legs ready!

Meanwhile, Kate is taking on something a little different as she prepares for the Dark Valley Night Trail 🌙🏃‍♀️. This will be Kate’s fourth run as part of the BigFeat Events, so she’s no stranger to getting out there and tackling a challenge!

And what about Helen? Well… she’s currently on the lookout for her next running challenge 👀

If you’ve taken part in a 10K that you’ve really enjoyed, we’d love to hear your recommendations! Whether it’s a great route, a brilliant atmosphere or just a race you’d happily do again, let us know in the comments. 👇

Who knows… there may be another Casterbridge running challenge on the horizon! 💪

Word of the month: spinal stenosis.

It sounds alarming, but let us break it down. Stenosis simply means narrowing, and spinal stenosis is when the space around the spinal nerves gets a little tighter, often as part of normal ageing.

That narrowing can sometimes crowd the nerves and cause symptoms like aching or heavy legs, particularly when standing or walking. The reassuring part: conservative chiropractic care can help many people manage it and keep moving.

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything. - Arabian proverb

There is a lot packed into that short line. When your body feels well, the rest of life
tends to feel a little more possible. Feeling better in your body can lift everything else with it, from your mood to your motivation. What does feeling healthy make possible
for you? Share it in the comments, we would love to hear.

This is exciting...much closer to home. A great way to get moving and really good fun!

Bournemouth’s ABBA-Themed 5K & 10K 🌐 Your ABBATHON entry includes ABBA’s biggest hits at the start line, a live 45-minute tribute performance and warm-up, a chip-timed 5K or 10K with music guides along the route, a special-edition finisher’s medal, free professional photographs and post-race fresh fruit. Fancy dress is optional, but very much encouraged!

Sitting vs Standing: what each does to your spine.

Neither posture is the villain here. The real issue is staying stuck in one position for too long. Sitting eases the load on your legs but can round your lower back and switch off key postural muscles. Standing switches those muscles back on and keeps your spine more neutral, though hours of it without a break brings its own aches. Take a look at the side-by-side, then tell us in the comments: which one surprised you most?

Set up your car seat for your spine. Long drives can be surprisingly hard on your back, and a few small tweaks before you pull out of the driveway make a real difference.

Try these: sit tall with your bottom right back in the seat, tilt the base so your thighs are gently supported, bring the seat close enough that your knees stay softly bent, and set the headrest so it meets the middle of your head. A small rolled towel behind your lower back can help too.

Tag the friend who always volunteers to drive on the road trip, they will thank you
at the next rest stop.

Here is something people rarely expect: a niggle in your hip or back can sometimes start all the way down at your feet. How your feet and ankles align affects the way load travels up through your knees, hips and spine.
Sort out the base, and the whole chain often feels better. If you suspect your feet might be behind a stubborn ache, come in and we can take a look.