By Batista Gremaud
When we experience pain, we may be tempted to stay inactive, but this will only worsen the situation and lead to more suffering in the long run.
Pain is a signal from our bodies that something is wrong, and that we need to take action to heal. The longer we ignore the signs, the harder it will be to get back to our original state of health.
As people age, hormones play an increasingly important role in maintaining good health. After 40 years of age, the body’s hormone levels start to change and diminish, making it more difficult for the body to recuperate from illness, injury, and stress. Lower hormone levels can lead to a decreased ability to heal and form new tissue cells, as well as a slower recovery from muscle strains and sprains.
A sedentary lifestyle leads to even further deterioration of joints, eventually causing bone density to decrease and lead to conditions such as osteoarthritis, bone spurs, and osteoporosis.
ARE YOU TRAPPED IN THE PAIN CYCLE?
Lack of exercise causes your body's connective tissue and muscles to become inflexible and tight, exacerbating any joint pain you already have, or causing new joint pain. It also makes it more difficult to maintain proper body alignment, leading to abnormal stress on your joints and further degeneration over time.
Being inactive also promotes weight gain, which stresses your joints even more.
All of these factors contribute to pain settling in the body, including joint degeneration.
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Referred Pain
Referred pain is a phenomenon in which pain felt in one part of the body is actually being caused by an issue elsewhere in the body.
When we try to compensate for one pain, our body goes out of alignment, causing more pain in other areas. For example, if you have lower back pain and you hunch your shoulders forward to try to alleviate it, you could end up causing tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, resulting in greater levels of discomfort. Similarly, a misaligned spine can cause knee pain and shoulder pain.
The nervous system can also be responsible for referred pain. It is made up of a dense network of nerve cells connected to every area of the body. If one of these neurons becomes sensitized or irritated, it can cause the sensation of pain in another area.
Painkillers, heat, cold, and physical therapies may provide temporary relief but they may not be able to ultimately alleviate the problem if the root cause is not addressed. It is important to understand the source of referred pain so that it can be treated effectively and get the whole body back in balance.
Movement Triggers Healing Mechanisms
Finding balance between rest and movement is necessary to give the body a chance to heal. Movement, even gentle activity, can trigger healing cells to get to work in repairing and restoring our bodies while reducing the usual muscle stiffness and pain that comes with an injury.
So, while feeling pain or discomfort may seem like an unwelcome guest, it is an important reminder to move with awareness and take the steps needed to help our bodies heal.
Here are 7 tips to release pain, increase mobility, and improve joint health.
1. Exercise: Exercise helps to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, improve joint mobility, and reduce discomfort.
2. Lose Weight: Carrying extra weight increases pressure on the joints, increasing the strain on them and causing more pain. Even a few pounds can make a difference.
3. Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold to aching joints may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Heat therapy can be applied using hot packs, warm showers, or baths, and some people find that electric heating pads work best. Cold therapy can be done using ice packs, cold showers or baths, and cold compresses.
4. Diet: Eating an anti-inflammatory diet comprised of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while reducing consumption of processed foods and sugar reduces inflammation.
5. Supplements: Some supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, may help ease joint pain. Consult a specialist to find the best solution for your specific needs.
6. Ergonomics: Good posture and proper ergonomics helps reduce pain. Wearing supportive shoes for example and using proper ergonomics when using a computer or other electronics will help reduce strain on your joints.
7. Ergonomic Strength TrainingTM: Ergonomic Strength Training is an effective way to help relieve the aches and pains associated with joint deterioration. Joint deterioration is a natural part of the aging process caused by wear and tear on the joint’s cartilage. As this cartilage deteriorates, it leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Ergonomic Strength Training helps provide relief by strengthening the muscles around the affected joint, which helps to stabilize it and reduce further wear and tear, which improves stability while increasing blood flow to the area and providing vital oxygen and nutrients for healing. It also helps to improve muscle flexibility, making it easier to move the joint and reducing stiffness.
Finally, Ergonomic Strength Training increases muscle strength and endurance, which can reduce the risk of further joint injury, as well as help manage existing pain, which is especially important for those who are already dealing with joint pain or who face the possibility of developing chronic joint pain.
In summary, a change of lifestyle, incorporating certain supplements in your diet and Ergonomic Strength Training are great ways to relieve aches and pains associated with joint deterioration, protect against further deterioration, and decrease the risk of future joint injuries.
Batista Gremaud is the CEO and president of Dr Fitness International, an International Body Designer, Strength Training Expert, No1 Best Selling author of Feminine Body Design, Empowering Fitness For A Pain-Free Life, co-creator of the Feminine Body Design online strength training mentoring system, and producer of Dr Fitness USA’s THE SHOW
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