"I'll Be Right..."
It's one of the most common things I hear from men in practice.
"I'll be right."
Usually followed by:
"I wake up feeling like I'm ninety."
"It takes me an hour to get moving properly."
"I get through the day, but once I sit on the couch, it catches up with me."
Back pain, neck pain and stiffness affect many Adelaide men. Learn why so many push through pain for too long and when to seek help.
Or my personal favourite:
"I thought it would just go away."
As chiropractors, we often see men who have quietly adapted to feeling less than their best.
Not because they're lazy.
Not because they don't care.
Because they're busy.
They've got families to support, jobs to do and responsibilities to meet.
So they keep pushing through.
The problem is that over time, many people start accepting things that shouldn't be normal.
Feeling stiff every morning.
Avoiding activities they used to enjoy.
Relying on pain relief more often than they'd like.
Being too sore or tired to exercise.
Sometimes the people around them notice the changes before they do.
A partner might notice they're more irritable.
Less active.
Less energetic.
Not quite themselves.
This Men's Health Week, I'd encourage men to ask themselves a simple question:
"Am I actually okay, or have I just got used to feeling this way?"
Because looking after your health isn't weakness.
It's taking responsibility for yourself and the people who depend on you.
And sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stop saying "I'll be right" and get something checked before it becomes a bigger problem.
"The strongest thing you can do isn't push through another six months. It's take the first step."
FAQs
Is it normal to wake up stiff every morning?
Some stiffness can occur as we age, but regularly waking up sore, stiff or restricted isn't something you should simply ignore.
Can back pain affect my mood or energy?
Many people find ongoing pain affects sleep, exercise habits, energy levels and overall wellbeing.
Should I wait for the pain to go away on its own?
Some episodes improve naturally, but recurring or persistent symptoms are worth having assessed.
Can chiropractic care help with back pain and stiffness?
Chiropractors assess and manage a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, neck pain and headaches. An assessment can help determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
