The Purpose Of Pain
If you have backpain, headaches or other muscle and joint pains or know of someone who does, making the pain go away is a major goal. But what is the purpose of pain? It turns out there are some very important reasons why we are equipped to sense pain. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary,used by health professionals around the world, list more than 34 different ones! Pain causes you to pay attention to something that’s not working right. It is a warning that a limit of some type has been reached; that the body is not equipped to or cannot adapt further. So in many ways pain is a good thing, it is a warning. We get into trouble only when we misinterpret the pain, or think we can simply make it go away without attending to the underlying cause. Our immediate goal is to relieve the pain as quickly as possible, but more importantly our primary interest is the cause of the pain. Covering up the pain may be convenient but is costly in the long run. We want to correct the cause of the problem so that the pain does not keep reoccurring and joint degeneration and muscle changes do not set in. We stress our backs and necks everyday and if not properly maintained arthritic changes will develop.
Gardening
The weather is warming up and many people will spend more time outside working in the yard and gardening. Your body may not be ready for all the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling, remember you haven’t done those motions in months. It’s not a matter of fitness but of using muscles differently, very similar to changing your exercise program. It feels great to be outside and everyone tends to over do it initially, what you can do comfortably in July is different than what you can do in March. Begin in moderation, take breaks and make sure you stretch and loosen up. Work into longer periods of time as your body gets used to working in the yard again.
Sluggish In The Afternoon?
Do you experience low energy in the afternoon? There may be a very simple solution. Chances are that you are eating starchy, processed carbohydrates for lunch. Bread, pastas and french fries put quite a demand on your digestive system. Try this for just a week and see if you don’t feel the difference. For a week eat only proteins and vegetables for your midday meal. That means no sandwiches, and if you must eat a burger, don’t eat the bun. Find a healthy salad or enjoy some soup. You’ll be surprised by how much energy you’ll have in the afternoons. When everyone else is looking for energy in a candy bar or soda, you may want to share your secret.
Fish Prevents Fat
Now there is more evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can reduce heart disease. In particular, eating fish seems to reduce the fat deposits on artery walls. A recent study conducted with 223 heart disease patients is revealing. One group received a fish oil concentrate and the other took a placebo. After two years, researchers compared their findings of the two groups. Not only did those taking fish oil have fewer heart related problems, their heart imaging showed twice as much improvement as the placebo group. Fish with the greatest supplies of omega-3 include salmon, mackerel, herring and trout. If you are a vegetarian, a small amount of flaxseed can be substituted.
“Your imagination is your preview to life’s coming attractions”
Albert Einstein
Fairport Chiropractic1157 Fairport Road
Fairport, NY 14450
585-381-7724