Let’s talk about man’s best friend… and your back.
Now, I love dogs – you may have seen or heard me mention my own spaniel pup, Enzo. He’s 9 months old, full of beans, and has the attention span of a goldfish at times. Lovely as he is, walking him isn’t always the peaceful stroll I’d imagined. Sometimes, it’s more like waterskiing on a lead!
And here’s the thing – dogs that pull (I’m looking at you, Enzo) can be a real pain… quite literally.
If your dog pulls on the lead, it creates tension through your arm, shoulder, and whole spine. Do that day after day, and you start to notice stiffness, tightness, and eventually pain. Your gait changes, your posture shifts, and your muscles end up doing overtime to compensate.
Think about it: if you’re always being yanked to one side, your whole body is twisting unnaturally. That’s not good for your spine, and it definitely isn’t good for your joints.
Here are my top tips to help you and your four-legged friend walk tall (and pain-free):
It’s not just about comfort – it’s about health. A bit of lead training goes a long way. Use positive reinforcement when your dog walks calmly beside you. A well-trained dog makes for a well-aligned owner. Easier said than done!
Alternate which hand you hold the lead in. Always using your dominant side can overload one shoulder and cause imbalance in your spine.
A no-pull harness or one that springs at the end can really help. It reduces the force through your shoulder and gives you better control – especially useful if you’ve got a determined spaniel charging at pheasants like Enzo does!
You wouldn’t go to the gym without warming up – dog walks can be a workout too. Loosen up your shoulders and stretch your upper back before and after.
If you’re already feeling the effects – tight neck, sore shoulders, low back tension – your regular chiropractic adjustments will help to reset your body and mitigate any long-term damage.
Walking your dog should be good for your health, not something that wrecks it. Let’s get you and your pup moving well together.
With love (and a wagging tail),
Tom & Enzo 🐾
P.S. did you know Enzo sees a chiropractor too? Yes, chiropractic is great for dogs. We see Emma Hustler in Bassingham and can not rate her highly enough.
