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272016Jul
Camping: Advice from the British Chiropractic Association

Camping: Advice from the British Chiropractic Association

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Camping in the UK can be great fun and also an all-weather activity, whether 30 degree heat or 12 degrees, wet and miserable! Sleeping away from your normal mattress and on harder surfaces could cause problems for your back, so the British Chiropractic Association has some great tips for more comfortable camping.

Protect your back – Ensure your back is protected against a hard and potentially damp surface by sleeping on a quality approved camping mat or air mattress. Try these out in the outdoor shop before buying – most good stores will have samples available. Try to also take a pillow, if you are used to having one. A blow-up pillow is the most portable…. even better, take your usual pillow from home.

Prep your sleeping area first – make sure to remove large stones or sticks that could dig into your spine.

Sleep sensibly – You should endeavour to sleep in a position where your spine is in a straight line as this helps to avoid neck and back pain.
Keep hydrated – If it is hot, then you can get very warm ‘under canvas’. Make sure you drink plenty and have a bottle of water available during the night.

Lift and carry with care– 60% of Brits believe that lifting and carrying is the most likely cause of their back pain, so take care when loading and unloading your camping gear. Two bags are better than one – If possible, pack your gear into more bags rather than less, so you can distribute the weight more evenly and reduce the strain on your back when lifting and carrying them