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Suffering from pains or aches? There are three key areas to focus on, advises Christopher Belderbos
Barristers are subject to all of the usual musculoskeletal problems affecting office workers. However, they also suffer their own particular stresses and strains, exacerbated by the nature of life at the Bar. In particular: (i) spending long hours at a desk encourages the back to become rounded, the shoulders to hunch forward and the neck to arch backwards; (ii) standing or walking for long periods in shoes that offer little support causes the arches in the feet to collapse and roll in. In order to compensate the hips then rotate out causing the spine to twist, the weight to fall forward and back and shoulders to round; and (iii) transporting awkward and heavy bundles to and from court causes an uneven distribution of weight through joints and muscles. Combined with an understandable reluctance to take time off work, these factors cause fatigue in the muscles and wear and tear in the joints, and can lead to longer term problems.
Christopher Belderbos runs the Ludgate Clinic on London’s Fleet Street which specialises in physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and yoga. Visit: www.ludgateclinic.co.uk
Our musculoskeletal system is constantly seeking a balance between the forces of opposing muscle groups. Getting the balance wrong whilst doing even simple things like sitting at a desk or being on our feet all day can result in injury.
Top tips:
Keeping the muscles and joints flexible will make them less prone to strains and will reduce fatigue.
Top tips:
Stretch 1: Lying on your back and keeping the knees and ankles together gently lower the legs to one side and rotate your head to the opposite side. Let your arms rest out beside you at 45 degrees.
Stretch 2: Sitting crossed legged interlock your hands behind your back and gently raise your hands.
Gently hold these stretches for 10-30 seconds before slowly returning to the original position. Always seek professional advice if you have an injury.
Don’t let your back muscles do all the work.
Top tips:
Barristers are subject to all of the usual musculoskeletal problems affecting office workers. However, they also suffer their own particular stresses and strains, exacerbated by the nature of life at the Bar. In particular: (i) spending long hours at a desk encourages the back to become rounded, the shoulders to hunch forward and the neck to arch backwards; (ii) standing or walking for long periods in shoes that offer little support causes the arches in the feet to collapse and roll in. In order to compensate the hips then rotate out causing the spine to twist, the weight to fall forward and back and shoulders to round; and (iii) transporting awkward and heavy bundles to and from court causes an uneven distribution of weight through joints and muscles. Combined with an understandable reluctance to take time off work, these factors cause fatigue in the muscles and wear and tear in the joints, and can lead to longer term problems.
Christopher Belderbos runs the Ludgate Clinic on London’s Fleet Street which specialises in physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and yoga. Visit: www.ludgateclinic.co.uk
Our musculoskeletal system is constantly seeking a balance between the forces of opposing muscle groups. Getting the balance wrong whilst doing even simple things like sitting at a desk or being on our feet all day can result in injury.
Top tips:
Keeping the muscles and joints flexible will make them less prone to strains and will reduce fatigue.
Top tips:
Stretch 1: Lying on your back and keeping the knees and ankles together gently lower the legs to one side and rotate your head to the opposite side. Let your arms rest out beside you at 45 degrees.
Stretch 2: Sitting crossed legged interlock your hands behind your back and gently raise your hands.
Gently hold these stretches for 10-30 seconds before slowly returning to the original position. Always seek professional advice if you have an injury.
Don’t let your back muscles do all the work.
Top tips:
Suffering from pains or aches? There are three key areas to focus on, advises Christopher Belderbos
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