Posts Tagged ‘Lifestyles’

Exercise Your Neck and Shoulders While Watching TV

Help for shoulder pain

These days because of our busy lifestyles it is getting increasingly harder to find the time to take care of our health especially when it comes to exercise. As they say necessity is the mother of invention and so we need to find ways to get the exercise we need and this usually means multi-tasking.
Below you will find some tips to utilize your time to exercise your head and shoulders while sitting at your computer or watching televison.
1. Head Rolls
Simple head rolls can really help strengthen your neck. Sit up straight in your chair, and slowly roll your head to the right, then to the back, to the left, and then to the front. Do this 5 to 10 times, but don’t get dizzy!
2. Shoulder Stretches
This is great for shoulders. Stand upright and push both arms straight back with your palms facing down and hold for five seconds. Bend in your arms at the elbow, fingers pointing straight ahead, and hold for five seconds. Do this 5 to 10 times.
3. Swinging Ax
This is another great shoulder strengthener. Stand up; clasp your hands by your right shoulder, like you’re holding an ax. Gently swing the ax by straightening your elbows and moving your hands toward your left thigh. Alternate shoulders, and repeat 7 or 8 times.
4. Air Fighting
Get ready for a fight with this great shoulder exercise. Raise your arms in the on guard position, hands in a fist. Keep your hands at shoulder level and push your elbows as high as you can, isolating the pressure on your shoulders. Do this 10 to 15 times.
5. Funky Chicken
Do that funky chicken! Put your fingertips on your shoulders, elbows pointing out to the sides. Pull your elbows back as far as you can, then push your elbows forward and try to touch them together. Do this 10 times.
6. Shoulder Roll
When is the last time you said, I don’t know, with a shoulder shrug? This is actually a very good exercise. You can do it sitting or standing. Just shrug your shoulders as high as you can, hold it there for 3 seconds, then let them down. Do this 10 times.
So there is a few ways to sneak in some extra exercise while sitting down. Your neck and shoulders are quite often neglected when it comes to exercise yet many people suffer from stiif necks and sore shoudlers.
By taking a few minutes each day to do some of the above simple exercises you can help avoid these problems in your neck and shoulder areas.

Use ice to decrease pain

Help With Chronic Pain

Help for shoulder pain

Pain is never a pleasant experience, but in most cases, it passes, and we emerge as stronger people because of it. Unfortunately, this does not hold true for everyone. Whether it be muscle problems or arthritis, some must live with pain for their entire lives. In 2003, the BBC published the results of a survey which revealed that an increased number of people under the age of 50 are suffering from chronic pain. 3,000 out the 46,000 interviewed were from the UK, and the survey looked at the ways in which chronic pain influenced peoples lifestyles. The results made evident that chronic pain impacts people in more ways than one ” not did sufferers find it difficult to complete ordinary tasks, but their relationships were heavily affected, causing some to fall into severe depression.  But why does this happen?Statistics show that one in five sufferers said they had been diagnosed with depression as a result of the pain, and 16% of these had even contemplated suicide. The prospect of having to suffer for the rest of their lives drives people into sheer hopelessness, and as physical pain turns emotional, many people get sucked into a downward spiral. Yet chronic pain does not only impact the sufferer ” it impacts those around them as well. The individual often becomes so distracted by their pain that it puts pressure on their relationship with others. According to the survey, 27% have noticed deterioration in the relationship with their friends and family, so it becomes evident that chronic pain affects people both on a personal and social level.Even though the survey was conducted in 2003, it still bears relevance today, particularly since new medicines and treatments are surfacing every year. Yet if we compare the British medical system to others ” such as the American or Brazilian one, it does appear that the British models have many limitations. Sufferers of chronic pain have been quoted saying that British doctors are often reluctant to prescribe medication, and only provide them with quick-fixes for their problems rather than long-term solutions. Indeed, two-fifths of the people interviewed complained that their pain still hadnt abated a little, even though they had been advised by a medical professional. A few have even gone as far as to say that Britains GPs are unsympathetic. Various pain management experts (Dr Berverly Collett, President of the UK’s Pain Society among them) agree, however, that Britains doctors are not doing enough to help sufferers deal with their chronic pain and minimize their symptoms. As a result, many people are turning away from modern medicine, and opt for visiting massage therapists and osteopaths for a more traditional approach to pain management.  A lot of people report to be pleasantly surprised at how well this seems to work. Traditional techniques such as hot stone massages, acupuncture, and joint therapy have often proven to be more effective to targeting and eradicating pain than any pill offered at the local drugstore. This can be enough to give many chronic pain sufferers the strength and hope they are looking for, giving them back their ability to not only manage their pain, but also their relationships and happiness.

Use ice to decrease pain