‘Love yourself’ this Valentine’s Day

Transform your shape - in less than ten seconds! February 14 is almost upon us, the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other but have you forgotten how to love yourself? In the run up to Valentine’s Day, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is calling on those stuck in a cycle of bad habits to ‘love yourself’. It has devised a series of quick and easy tips that can help you to look and feel good in an instant - having a date to impress is a bonus! By employing three simple, postural techniques (1) you can boost your self-image instantly and look good in the long-term, says chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Valentine’s Day is a day for someone special but there is no-one more special than you. If you lack confidence about how you look don’t worry. You can transform your figure in less than ten seconds - simply with a change in your posture. ‘Poor posture can lead to a host of musculo-skeletal problems such as neck and shoulder pain. Slouching while sitting or standing can weaken your stomach and lower back muscles and leave you with a paunch, slumped shoulders, rounded back and tight hips.’ With Valentine’s Day approaching some people can feel under pressure to look good, especially if they intend on catching the eye of someone else. Adjusting your posture can make a huge difference to the way you look and keep back, shoulder and neck pain at bay. ‘Bad posture can also give the psychological impression of being closed, disengaged and uninterested. Simply throwing back your shoulders and walking and sitting tall can do wonders for your appearance and confidence. It is also good for your physical health.’ The CSP is inviting people to test their posture to see if it holds up. Complete a free online test and download the CSP’s posture makeover tips from the Society’s website. Visit www.csp.org.uk/postureperfect. NOTES TO EDITORS The posture test and downloadable tips are available from the CSP website. Photographs for one tip, for illustration purposes, can also be provided on request. Visit www.csp.org.uk/postureperfect to test your posture and download Posture Perfect: physios’ guide to an instant makeover!

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 49,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. For previous releases visit http://www.csp.org.uk/ Author: CSP Press Office with Sammy Margo