driving, the position you assume while watching TV or
driving and how you carry your handbag can cause you
bodily damage?
Doctors say the only health condition that more than one
billion people in the world share - including you and me - is
pain.
Whether it's back pain, migraine or neck pain, chronic pain -
the one that nags you for weeks, months, or years - can change the quality of your life. Never ignore pain whatever the intensity - mild, moderate or severe - as treatment usually can help.
However, to stop a molehill from becoming a mountain, pain
management experts on webmd.com identify some daily habits that could be causing pain.
The Medical Director, Cleveland Clinic in Florida, United
States of America, Dr. David Westerdahl, says often, the blame for our pain rests on the simple choices we make every day.
One of them is strong odours. Doctors aren't sure why, but
strong smells like paint and smoke can trigger migraines and
headaches .They note that even pleasant smells like perfumes
and deodorants can also set off headaches in some persons. To
stop this, identify which smells spark your headaches and try to avoid them.
Another tricky one is your driving position. Many people set
their car seats at the wrong angle. If the seat is reclined, you
may slouch forward to grip the steering wheel. This pulls your
head away from the head rest and can cause neck pain.
The adjustable buttons on your seats are there for a purpose.
Put your car seat in an upright position that supports your head and lower back. The steering wheel should be within easy reach, so your arms are slightly flexed and relaxed.
If you carry your laptop around like an extra limb, you are
likely to strain some part of the body. Handheld laptop cases
put stress on the forearm and can actually give you tennis
elbow. Also, bags that you wear over one shoulder can
contribute to back and shoulder pain.
Try a rolling laptop case or consider switching to a lighter
model. Or just strap your bag to your back so the weight is
evenly distributed.
Here are other habits that may be causing you pain and the
solutions:
Sleep position: If you wake up sore most mornings, take a
good look at your sleep posture. Stomach sleepers may twist
their necks to the point of hyperextension. Other people sleep
on their sides with one arm overhead. After many hours, this
position can strain the shoulder.
Solution: Better ways to sleep are on your back or on your
side, with your arms below shoulder level. Side sleepers can
place a pillow between the knees to support the lower back.
Back sleepers can put a pillow under the neck and beneath their knees.
Smart phones: Do you have a phone that lets you text, surf the
web, and play games? That's a lot of mileage for your thumbs.
Doctors have begun reporting cases of arthritis at the base of
the thumb in younger people, possibly related to texting.
Solution: When your thumbs begin to ache, give the texting a
rest. If pain continues, use your phone to make an actual call to a doctor. There are effective treatments for arthritis.
Wallet: Your wallet can be a real pain in the back and the
buttocks, and it can even lead to shooting pains down one leg.
Tucked in a back pocket, it may lead to compression and
irritation of the sciatic nerve day after day. A fat wallet may
also put the spine slightly out of alignment, causing muscle
tension.
Solution: Remove your wallet before sitting, especially in the
car.
Couch potato syndrome: Even downtime can be a source of
aches and pains. Do you often lie across the couch with your
head turned toward the television? You're setting yourself up
for a sore neck, especially if you fall asleep in that position.
Solution: Maintain good posture even when you're relaxing.
Sit up straight on your couch and make sure your TV is not
positioned too high.
Hairdo: Westerdahl says your hairstyle could trigger
headaches. A tight ponytail may trigger - or worsen - a
headache. Some migraine sufferers are more sensitive to
sensations that wouldn't bother others, such as a tight hat,
headband, bun, or braids.
Solution: Wear your hair down and skip the hat.
Video games: Video games that simulate the motions of
popular sports can result in real sports injuries. Doctors say
overzealous gaming can cause everything - from sprains to torn ligaments and broken bones.
Solution: Do some stretching before starting an active video
game. Make sure you have plenty of space around you, so you
won't trip or crash into anything. And don't play for longer than you would a real sport.
Beverages: When it comes to beverages, alcohol is the king of
pain. Red wine, whiskey, beer, and champagne are the drinks
blamed most often for a throbbing head.
Solution: Limit your intake of alcohol.
Skipping meals: Skipping meals causes your blood sugar to
dip. In some people, this can trigger a massive headache before you even realise you're hungry.
Solution: Eat nutritious foods regularly throughout the day.
Opt for snacks that combine protein and whole grains, such as
peanut butter on whole-wheat crackers.
Stress: Stress contributes to a vast array of aches and pains.
Many people tighten the back muscles when anxious, leading
to chronic back pain. Most tension headaches stem from stress.
And stress may play a role in teeth grinding, leading to jaw
pain.
Solution: Practise relaxation techniques, such as meditation or
yoga.
Work: If you spend many hours a day at your desk or
workstation, give some thought to the setup. Westerdahl notes
that a poorly positioned chair can cause you to slouch forward, straining the back and neck. A monitor that's too low or too high will also strain the neck.
Solution: Place your monitor with the top of the screen at eye
level. Position your chair so that you are sitting straight with
your feet on the floor. Use a cushion to support the lower back
if needed.
Via: Punch
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