Sun, Sand and a Happy Spine: Your Summer Holiday Body Guide

The summer months are here, and whether you’re jetting off somewhere exotic, heading to our beautiful Dorset coast, or simply enjoying some well-earned rest at home, we want your body to feel as good as your holiday deserves.

Here are our top four osteopathic tips to help you stay comfortable, mobile and pain-free all summer long.

1. Travelling Pain-Free

Long car journeys, cramped plane seats and hours on a train can all play havoc with your back and neck. Support your lower back with a small cushion or a rolled-up scarf, sarong or blanket tucked into the small of your back, and use the same trick to support your neck. Where possible, take regular breaks to move around — on a plane, aim to get up and walk the aisle every hour or so.

Osteo tip: Pack a small travel pillow or scarf for neck and low back support on long journeys, and stay well hydrated.

2. Activity and Adventures

Whether it’s hiking, swimming, cycling, or exploring a new city on foot, summer holidays often mean far more physical activity than our bodies are used to. Resist the urge to go all out on day one — build up gradually, wear supportive footwear, and listen to your body.

Osteo tip: A gentle warm-up before any activity, and a stretch afterwards, goes a long way towards stopping small niggles becoming bigger problems.

3. Sleeping in Different Beds

Holiday mattresses can be a real mixed bag. If you wake up stiff or achy, try a gentle morning stretch routine before getting out of bed. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can also help keep your spine comfortable overnight.

Osteo tip: If you know unfamiliar beds tend to catch you out, book in for a treatment before you go — arriving on holiday with a well-balanced body makes all the difference.

4. Relaxing Without Overdoing It

Hours on a sun lounger might sound blissful, but staying in one position for too long — especially with your neck craned forward over a book or a phone — can leave you feeling stiff and uncomfortable. Change position regularly and take short walks to keep your circulation moving. If you’re lying on your front, pop a folded towel under your lower back and pelvis; this stops your low back arching too far, which can otherwise leave it irritated.

If your holiday has taken its toll and you come home feeling a bit achy, remember to book in and see us as soon as you’re back. We’ll have you feeling like yourself again in no time.