Pain Trigger: Flip-Flops
Often, the blame for our pain rests on the simple choices we make every day. The Cleveland Clinic Florida's David Westerdahl, MD, shares a few examples -- starting with flip-flops and foam-soled sandals. They provide poor arch support, leading to pain in the feet, ankles, and knees.
Solution: Wear shoes with arch support. When you know you'll be walking a lot, opt for sneakers.
Pain Trigger: 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.
Pain Trigger: Active 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.Trigger: 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.
Pain Trigger: Cheese
Cheese lovers, take note -- your favorite food may be the reason for all those headaches. Aged cheese, such as blue cheese, cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss contain high amounts of a substance called tyramine.This notorious headache trigger is also found in some processed meats and beverages.
Solution: Keep a food diary to help spot links between foods and headaches, so you'll know what to avoid.
Pain Trigger: Couch Potato Syndrome
Even down time 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.
Pain Trigger: Your Baby
The simple act of lifting your baby out of the crib each day can lead to de Quervain's tenosynovitis. This is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain and swelling in the wrist and thumb.
Solution: Learn to lift your baby without straining the wrists. Place your hands under the back and buttocks, and lift with the bigger muscles of your arms.
Pain Trigger: Laptop Case
If you carry your laptop around like an extra limb, you're likely to strain some part of the body. Handheld laptop cases put stress on the forearm and can actually give you tennis elbow, says Westerdahl. Bags that you wear over one shoulder can contribute to back and shoulder pain.
Solution: Try a rolling laptop case or consider switching to a lighter model.
Pain Trigger: Your Hairdo
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.
Pain Trigger: Sleep Habits
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.
Pain Trigger: 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.
Pain Trigger: Lifting With the Back
A top source of back pain is lifting the wrong way. A common mistake is curving the back forward to grab an object, then straightening the back as you lift. This forces your back muscles to take the brunt of the burden. Twisting while you lift is another problem.
Solution: To lift properly, bend the knees and hips until you are squatting. Keep the back upright. Grab the object and lift with your leg muscles by straightening your knees and hips.
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