Daily Activities to Keep Your Body Healthy and Reduce Pain
Many people experience pain and inflammation because of bad habits, posture and lack of exercise. You do not have to participate in rigorous physical activities to cause pain and injury. Ordinary daily tasks such as bending to get the clothes out of the dryer or sweeping under the bed can put stress on your body. In addition, with the increase of computer and cell phone use, people tend to have more neck and shoulder pain. Sitting at work all day can also cause a strain on your lumbar spine (lower back) and legs.
How do you fix these aches and pain that are preventing from being active? A chiropractor can do an “adjustment” and realign your spine therefore improving your pain, while physical therapist can teach you how to walk or sit with proper posture. Regular massages can alleviate some of the stiffness and sore. You can also include some of these habits listed below and decrease you chances of aches and pain that are impeding on your livelihood.
Morning Stretches
Stretching should be a part of your daily routine. If you wake up feeling stiff and sore, stretching daily will help relieve the morning soreness. Some reasons for being sore are lack of activity, long hours at work, or a rigorous workout. Your body needs proper movement daily to stay limber and for your muscles to remain strong. Muscles deteriorate quickly when they are not in use. Stretching can prepare your muscles for the day ahead. It helps you warm up for a workout or provides a little movement before you head to the office. You are less likely to fall victim to an injury when you stretch daily. It best to stretch after your muscles are warmed. Stretching throughout the day is also beneficial.
Get Up Stand Up
You may notice that you hurt more after a day of sitting than after you exercise. The pain is also different. Soreness after a workout is more bearable than pain from putting an unhealthy strain on your body. If you have a job that requires long hours at a desk, you may become physically exhausted on a regular basis. This surprises many people. Your body undergoes enormous amounts of stress in a continuous sitting position as you hover over a computer. Get up and move every hour if possible. Take a walk to the bathroom, run to the copy room, or go outside if possible.
Get a Better View
It can be difficult to get into a comfortable position for viewing your computer or cell phone. The first reaction is to lean forward, placing unnecessary strain on your neck and upper back. You may end up with both neck and shoulder pain that can become chronic. Put your phone on a stand on the table while watching videos and adjust the height of your desk chair to view your computer straight ahead.
Make Use of your Car’s Headrest
Do you use the headrest in your car? If you don’t then here is a good way to use. Sit for 5 mins in your car and let your head relax on the head rest. Release the muscles in your neck. It may be several hours before you can get into bed and relax your entire body. This quick fix can help to alleviate pain and get you through the rest of your day. The first time you do this, you may realize just how much stress you are putting on your neck during your workday.
Avoid Crossing your Legs
Crossing your legs may feel comfortable at the time, however, you are likely to regret it as the day goes on. This position does more than put strain on your muscles; it can also raise your blood pressure slightly. The main issue, however, is the strain it puts on your hips. Hips are a major weak point in elderly people, so it pays to be mindful of them from a young age. Crossing your legs twists your hips and increases pressure on the spine. This can lead to pain in the back or neck. Most people may not even realize the origin of this pain.
It is best to keep your hips level. This can be accomplished with a high-quality, adjustable desk chair. Lower it until your legs and hips are at a right angle. If you need to remain at a different height to properly see your computer, place a small stool underneath your feet to level things out.
Invest in a Massage
Massage is a great way to release tension. A full body massage on a regular basis can help keep your body in good condition. This luxury, however, is not affordable for everyone. A short upper body massage can offer many of the same benefits. Enlist your spouse or a friend to help you out. You can even pay your kids a few dollars to massage your neck at the end of the day. Your shoulders and jaw hold a lot of the tension from a stressful day. Even a short shoulder and neck massage can release this.
Pay Attention to your Posture
Good posture can be a difficult habit to get into. It is easy to slouch when walking if you are not used to holding your shoulders back. This can be an especially big problem for tall individuals. They may spend more time slouching to better fit in with their peers or make eye contact during conversations. A myriad of problems can result from slouching. When your head leans forward, it increases the weight that your spine must support. This leads to nerve damage, headaches, and compressed discs.
Get Moving
One of the best things you can do for your overall health is to get moving. You do not have to incorporate a rigorous workout routine into your schedule to stay healthy. Simply take a walk during your lunch hour or with your dog in the evening. Take a low impact exercise class or dance around your living room. Short breaks to get moving during your workday can also help to keep your muscles in good shape and make you more alert.
Sleeping Position is Important
Most people have a signature sleeping position. Yours may not be healthy for your spine, however. People that sleep on their stomach may increase damage to their spine and experience more pain during waking hours. Your weight is not evenly distributed when you sleep on your stomach. It tends to remain on your midsection. This can put excessive strain on your back. Your neck is also turned at an odd angle for many hours. You may experience pain, numbness, and tingling from sleeping on your stomach.
Get an Adjustment from a Chiropractor
Have you ever cracked your knuckle or watch one of those movies where one guys grabs another guys neck and twist it till you hear that crick? Well that is exactly what chiropractors do. But is not so dramatic. A visit to a chiropractor can realign your spine and alleviate some of the pain you have. This is called an adjustment. If you have back, neck or shoulder pain you should get evaluated by a chiropractor.
There are many things you can do to maintain the health of your spine. Even with professional chiropractic care and regular massage, maintenance is important. These tips can help you keep your spine in optimal shape and decrease pain you may normally experience. Work with your health care professional to come up with a long-term care plan.