Pooling their resources for healthy backs (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pooling their resources for healthy backs

Lesley Bates gets the l'eau-down on a group where gentle aqua-exercise keeps its members mobile and active.

THIS week is BackCare Awareness Week, organised by the national charity BackCare to promote healthier backs. Backcare places importance on good posture and has tips to offer members about back care at work and school.

The Salisbury branch of the charity has a secret weapon in its fight to keep its members mobile and active - the hydrotherapy pool in the spinal unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, sessions are held between 6pm and 6.45pm in the pool, when qualified physiotherapists guide members through a series of gentle exercises designed to encourage mobility and relieve tension and stress.

The branch recently gained Lottery funding to introduce a third session, targeted at working members who are unable to make the earlier start time and run on Wednesdays, from 6.45pm to 7.30pm.

The water in he pool is heated to 96 degrees, and its warmth relaxes the muscles.

"You can do things in the water you can't do on dry land," says BackCare member Helen Scott.

"You miss it when you don't come - you stiffen up."

Helen is a retired headteacher and it is no surprise to her that teachers are among customers at the new session.

"It's all that crouching down to children - last week we had four teachers in a row," she said.

Nurses, too, suffer.

"Lifting wrecks their backs," Helen adds.

Each session can take up to 24 people plus the physio, although you have to join BackCare (for an annual fee of £10) before you can take part.

The hydrotherapy sessions operate every week except bank holidays, the first is free and then it is pay-as-you-go, at £4.50 a time.

Helen thinks it's value for money.

"Where else can you get a physio's attention for £4.50?" she asks.

"We are so lucky to have this pool in Salisbury.

"The relief you get from the hot water is wonderful and I go home and sleep like a log."

For more information on Salisbury BackCare, call Barbara White, on 01722 333925.