Why Men Wait Too Long to Look After Their Health
By Dr. Patrick Fong – Chiropractor, New Lynn Chiropractic
In our practice, we see far more women than men. It’s something many clinics notice.
Does that mean women have more health problems? Not at all. It just means they tend to do something about their health earlier — before things become serious.
Men, on the other hand, often wait until something really breaks. We tell ourselves it’s just a tweak, a strain, or that we’ll “sort it out later.” The truth is, most men don’t do “later” until the pain or problem forces them to.
I say that from experience. In my early 30s, I was guilty of exactly that — long work hours, no regular exercise, poor sleep, and telling myself I was “too busy” to get checked. It wasn’t until I hit a wall physically that I realised how far I’d let things slide. It doesn’t need to be that way. Looking after your health isn’t about being weak — it’s about being smart enough to stay strong.
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What the Numbers Show Here in NZ
- Heart Health
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death for Kiwi men. Men die from heart disease at more than twice the rate of women, and they tend to develop heart issues earlier in life.
Stress, poor sleep, processed food, and lack of movement all play a part — and unlike a sore back, you don’t always feel heart problems coming.
- Weight and Fitness
About one in three New Zealand adults is now classed as obese, and men are more likely to carry that extra weight around the middle — the classic “beer belly.”
That central fat is more dangerous than most realise. It wraps around your organs and increases your risk of high blood pressure, joint problems, and fatigue. Even if you’re active, long work hours, stress, and skipped meals can all take their toll.
- Injuries and Accidents
Men also top the charts here — and not in a good way. Around 70% of all injury claims in New Zealand come from men, and almost all fatal workplace injuries involve men.
Many of us work physical jobs, play hard on weekends, or just try to “push through.” But when you ignore pain or tightness long enough, it catches up — sometimes suddenly. I see it every week in practice: the man who “tweaked his back” months ago but only comes in once it’s unbearable.
- Life Expectancy
On average, Kiwi men live about four years less than women. Most of that gap comes down to preventable issues — heart health, weight, stress, and untreated pain.
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So What Can Men Do Differently?
The good news? It doesn’t take a huge overhaul — just consistency.
- Get checked before it’s bad. Don’t wait until you can’t move or sleep to get help.
- Move your body daily. It doesn’t have to be the gym — walking, stretching, or a hobby that keeps you active is enough.
- Eat real food. Less processed, more fresh. Your body will thank you.
- Listen to warning signs. Pain, stiffness, poor sleep, or constant tiredness are messages, not weaknesses.
- Talk about stress. It’s not “soft” — stress affects your whole body, especially your heart and spine.
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Final Thought
If you’re a man reading this — or you know one who fits the bill — take it from someone who’s been there:
Don’t wait for a crisis to wake you up. Your health doesn’t need to fall apart before you act. A simple check-in — whether it’s your spine, blood pressure, or just a conversation about how you’re feeling — can make a world of difference down the track.
At New Lynn Chiropractic, we’re here to help you stay strong, mobile, and healthy — not just patch you up when things go wrong.