5 Ways To Care For Your Aching Body
Body pain can be caused by a ton of things.
Years of poor posture
Improper lifting and carrying of heavy objects
extra weight which puts more pressure on joints
Traumatic injury
Wearing high heels
Sleeping on a poor mattress
No obvious physical cause
Ordinary aging
Ive definitely noticed my own body pain activing up more and more over the years ( I think due to wear and tear from my years as a college athlete)
It’s estimated that just over 20% of people in the US deal with chronic body pain… I would guess that number to be much higher, though. Why?? Chronic pain syndromes like lupus and fibromyalgia, for example, are notoriously difficult to get diagnosed--and that’s just TWO!
I’ve kept myself in the catagory of “Nah, its not chronic pain… is it?” for many years.
So what can we do to help ourselves deal with not only chronic pain but normal pains that happen as we age? Keep reading for 5 ways to care for your aching body…
Movement
Moving your body can be just like medicine. It’s a completely free and natural way to combat stiffness in your joints, promote better circulation, strengthen your body, and so much more. Exercising and movement don’t have to be strenuous and difficult, or something to dread. Going to the gym for even an hour just isn’t feasible or enjoyable for everyone. However, there are other ways to get your body moving that aren’t high-impact, and can still give you the same pain-relieving results. Yoga, pilates, simple stretches, and even going for a walk are all great ways to get moving. All of these can be done at any level, too! You are allowed to start small and work your way up as you can. Movement can also help improve your mood by releasing endorphins and other feel-good hormones!
Foam Rolling
Our fascia is the often overlooked casing for our muscles and bones. Think of it as the saran wrap of your body. However, unlike saran wrap, it can become rigid and stiff, causing all kinds of movement restrictions that lead to pain. Applying pressure to these areas with a foam roller can feel intense in the moment, but it can really benefit you in the long term. The benefits of foam rolling include: relieving tightness in muscles, increasing your range of motion, reducing inflammation, promoting lymphatic drainage, and much more! Foam rolling has also been shown to help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, back pain, and muscle soreness. (Bonus Benefit: Foam rolling can also help to minimize cellulite! ;))
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can be done in a few ways, but my favorite way is with a hot bath. Bonus points if it’s an Epsom salt or Himalayan pink salt detox bath! There’s nothing quite like a hot, relaxing bath to refresh a tired body and relieve pain. People have actually been using baths for healing since before Biblical times! That should tell you a lot about the effectiveness of this kind of pain relief! Hot baths help promote blood circulation, are anti-inflammatory, reduce blood pressure, loosen muscles, and more. You can elevate a hot bath again, with salts, and even some essential oils that relax you and promote wellness for you.
Hydrate
Water is absolutely vital to your overall health AND for helping relieve pain. When your body is dehydrated, all the systems slow down, and your muscles, organs, and veins actually start to tense and shrivel. This leads to increased tension, inflammation, and stiffness, which can contribute to any pain you may have. Drinking enough water helps to keep your joints lubricated, and also helps cushion the areas between your bones like the spinal discs as well. Hydration can also help with weight loss if extra weight is something that is exacerbating your pain! You can also try drinking water that has extra electrolytes and vitamins in it as well, for a little boost of goodness for your body. The healthier your body, the less opportunity there is for pain that goes beyond the normal.
Natural Remedies
The things that we find in nature can have SO MANY medicinal benefits and uses. Nature is the original medicine, and it’s something that we shouldn’t overlook when it comes to pain relief. Many prescribed or even over-the-counter medications can have harmful side effects over time--and we take them all the times we feel pain. Of course, some of these medications are necessary; but many others can be replaced, or even work together with natural medicine, for a much better long-term result. Some of the best natural pain relievers I have found for me have arnica, CBD, copaiba, helichrysum, and lemongrass oils in them. You can make your own balms with these oils, or even buy lotions that have them as ingredients. Different things work for different people and different kinds of pain. This can take a little trial and error, but it can also be SO worth it!
I hope these 5 ways to care for your aching body help you to discover the best ways to relieve any of your pain. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions; or even other tips for pain relief that you’d like to share!
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