The Best Treatment To Beat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 30, 2009 by Tom Nicholson · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Physical Therapy 

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you might need to reduce inflammation your body to either prevent carpal tunnel syndrome or at least subdue the symptoms. If you have inflammation, this can cause even greater swelling of the ligaments and joints so the pressure is put on the median nerve, which can cause CTS symptoms to flare up. How can you reduce your information?

Most anti-inflammation treatments for CTS begin with anti-inflammatory pain killing drugs like aspirin or Ibuprofen. Some people recommend staying away from aspirin because it thins the blood, and in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome that can just make symptoms worse. The drugs in question are just over the counter ones, though, so you shouldn’t need to worry about getting any prescriptions. Always take the drugs with water, to help the body fully absorb the active ingredients within them. Most of the drugs you’ll find have instructions that they’re to be taken ever four to six hours; you should not take then any more than that, either in frequency or amount. (The usual capsules are 200 to 400 mg; you don’t want to take any more than 1200 mg per day). Keep in mind that all of these pain killers could possibly cause stomach bleeding, not just aspirin.

You’ll have to help the effectiveness of the medications by limiting the use of your inflamed wrist and hand for up to two weeks. After that period, you can try to use it more normally and see if any difference was made. (During that period you should wear a wrist brace at night.) If little progress has been made by then, you need to see your doctor. He could prescribe a special anti-inflammation drug in the corticosteroids group of medications. These are more powerful drugs of the kind you’ve been taking, but they contain steroids and might have side effects.

You can also give your body anti-inflammation treatment by a change in your diet. Among anti-inflammatory foods that you want are omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in abundance in cold water fish, pumpkin and flax seeds, canola oil, and walnuts. Olive oil is not an omega-3, but it is highly effective in helping to reduce inflammation and ease pain. If you’ve been eating a lot of fatty red meat, you’ll need to cut it out. You can replace some of it with the fish, but your body does require protein to fend off inflammation and meat is the most complete of all proteins. Replace your hamburgers with lean, grass-fed beef, or game meat like venison. Replace cow’s milk with soy milk. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly green, leafy vegetables. Berries are among the best fruits you can eat. Don’t eat fruit cocktails that are packaged in corn syrup, and avoid sweets. Also get a lot of whole grain. Only eat whole grain breads. Temporarily cut out starches as much as possible–no potatoes or corn.

If you think this is excessive to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, at least give it a try before you make a final decision. You may find that making these changes so improves your symptoms that the small amount of deprivation you feel by following a much stricter diet is absolutely worth it. In addition, there are some exercises you can do to strengthen your hand, wrist and forearm so that your CTS symptoms are reduced or even eliminated.

About the Author:

Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace – Helpful or Harmful?

September 29, 2009 by Tom Nicholson · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Physical Therapy 

I receive a lot of emails from people who have questions about the usefulness of carpal tunnel wrist braces and night splints. To be honest, when it comes to these devices I have mixed feelings, since I’ve seen many patients who have been fitted for a wrist brace or who wear night splints to relieve the pain they suffer from carpal tunnel. Occupational therapists design these braces in order to immobilize the hand; this reduces the swelling and inflammation of the carpal tunnel, which in turn eases the discomfort. The reason these devices make me uneasy is because they require immobilization, and any time a muscle or joint is immobilized, it loses function.

Reducing movement of the afflicted area might reduce pain, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a cure for your carpal tunnel symptoms. Using a wrist brace or night splint to rest the joints and muscles in question can indeed be helpful, but our bodies require movement and motion to properly function. Ultimately, using a brace for your carpal tunnel isn’t a cure, it’s a band aid. Real solutions will only be reached by working on postural muscle imbalance and discovering and eliminating the causes of your body’s imbalance in the first place.

When your body remains in the same position, day after day, for too long – for instance when you have to sit in the car or in front of a computer for hours every day – a condition known as postural muscle imbalance can develop. Certain muscles become underdeveloped and gradually lose their function, while other muscles increase to compensate. Over time, these muscles will stop maintaining the normal S-curve of your spine and peripheral joints such as elbows, shoulders and wrists. This is what causes the symptoms of carpal tunnel.

If this cycle is not stopped the damage continues and you can lose use of your hand for months which can affect your ability to provide for yourself and your family. Other conditions such as headaches, “frozen shoulder”, low back pain are all symptoms that can accompany your carpal tunnel because of postural muscle imbalance.

“Hold it Tom – are you trying to scare me?” Well, sort of, because this is your health and future we are talking about. You need to stop this cycle, and the earlier the better. To do this you need to follow simple postural muscle balance restoration exercises.

About the Author:

Aerobic Fitness And Chiropractic

September 29, 2009 by Dr. Jason Fowler · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chiropractic 

Usually we think of chiropractic treatment in terms of lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches. In fact, there are numerous additional wide-ranging benefits to chiropractic health care. Many of these benefits are related to getting more out of our exercise activities.

For example, aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular function.1,2 As a result, during periods of rest the heart rate is slowed and the ability of the lungs to take in air (vital capacity) is increased. A slower heart rate means the heart is working more efficiently. Likewise, increased vital capacity means the lungs are working more efficiently. Fewer heart beats per minute and fewer breaths per minute result in reduced “wear and tear” on these critical systems. Aerobic exercise makes us healthier.

In times of stress, our muscles get tight. Sometimes this tightness is prolonged, and the normal mobility of our bones and joints is compromised. Reduced mobility of the spinal column creates a spiraling effect of tight muscles, tight ligaments, and further loss of mobility in the neck, middle back, and lower back. We experience pain in these areas as a result.3

These patterns may persist. We all know people who have frequent neck pain or lower back pain. These patterns of pain and limited mobility may result in changes to the normal curves of the spine. Normal curves may become flattened, and these changes result in further discomfort, muscular tension, and pain.

Most importantly, loss of the normal spinal curvature in the neck and middle back may place additional stress on the heart and lungs. The actual physical space in which these organs function may become reduced. Maximum function may be compromised and efficiency is lost. Brisk walking used to be easy. Climbing stairs used to be no problem. Now these normal daily activities may leave you out-of-breath. You’re huffing-and-puffing and don’t know what’s happened.

You may begin doing aerobic exercises to try to improve cardiovascular function. But the potential benefits are limited by these underlying muscle, ligament, and joint problems. You spend a lot of time exercising but don’t seem to be making any improvements.

Chiropractic health care may be able to restore more normal functioning. Chiropractic treatment restores the mobility to spinal joints. The gentle treatment relieves stress on the spinal muscles and ligaments, which in turn improves spinal range of motion. Muscle tightness eases, pain and stiffness are reduced, and you become more flexible.

In addition, this improved flexibility allows your chest and rib cage to expand much more fully when you breathe. Your heart and lungs have more room to function. You can now actually begin to receive the full benefits of your aerobic exercise.

Chiropractic care helps you get fit and stay fit!

1.Pivarnik JM, et al. Effects of maternal aerobic fitness on cardiovascular responses to exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25(9):993-998, 1993. 2.Jackson EM, Dishman RK. Hemodynamic responses to stress among blackk women: fitness and parental hypertension. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34)7):1097-1104, 2002 3.Petrella RJ, et al. Can primary care doctors prescribe exercise to improve fitness? Am J Prev Med 24(4):316-322, 2003

About the Author:

FAQ About Electric Wheelchair Lifts For Your Building

September 28, 2009 by Sciatic · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Physical Therapy 

It is also advisable that you determine the budget and needs before buying Electric wheelchairs.Doing research about on wheelchair lifts and about their manufacturers can also help protect you fromregretting after you made the wrong decision. Unfortunately, there are manufacturers that are seemingly taking advantage of the misfortunes of other individuals.

The quality manufacturers of wheelchair lifts usually have demonstration centers where you can actually try their products at work. Some of these demonstration center would even allow you to test the machines yourself. If you were to purchase second hand wheelchair lifts can even be brought back to the manufacturers for parts upgrade,perhaps lifting heavier wheelchair users or adding more capabilities to the wheelchair lift system.

Please remember to include maintenance clause in the contractwhen buying wheelchair lifts. Reputable manufacturers would provide free maintenance for your wheelchair lifts. You should also ask about the availability of spare parts which would make it easier to fix the wheelchair lift if ever it breaks down.Take note if you are purchasing from overseas.Please contact your local distributor for details.

Each manufacturer of wheelchair lifts offer different product value. While buying wheelchair lift, the onus is on the buyer to choose the model that fulfill their requirements. They should ensure that the lift is compatible with the profile of the wheelchair users in their establishments. The user can custom build special features such as lowering and raising mechanisms or back-up lifting.

Electric wheelchair lifts are good but another option is Mobile lifts. Vertical lift is different in the sense that it is lifting the user vertically. What you need in your home will depend significantly on whether there is a permanent wheelchair user as well as space available to install this equipment. You may choose a wheelchair lift over a vertical lift if it provides a better service to the individual in the wheelchair. Simply evaluate your home, space, and budget as well as the needs of the disabled electric wheelchair users to determine what will work best. Mobile vertical wheelchair lift can also be used outside of the home.
Some vertical lifts can be installed in vans to make it easy for the person to get in and out of vehicles.Other uses of the vertical electric wheelchair lifts outside the home include getting onto a deck by the pool. Anytime you need to get to a higher level, or down from one, and you’re outside of the home, simply use your vertical wheelchair lift.
Most electric wheelchair lifts are battery operated. When there is a power outage,priority is to assist wheelchair users down the stairs safely.

Shortcut to useful advice about lose 10 pounds – please read the web site. The times have come when concise information is really within one click, use this possibility.

What Exercises are pleasant for CT Symptoms?

September 28, 2009 by Tom Nicholson · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Physical Therapy 

You are so frustrated! It has been three weeks now and your carpal tunnel symptoms have not let up! You are in such pain that you’ve run out of aspirin and are now going to the harder pain relief drugs. Well, the first thing you need to do is stop! Without proper treatment, your carpal tunnel symptoms will only get worse and then you will really be out of some good productive work time.

Just keep in mind that your hands are precious. The truth is that you cannot do anything without them, and so it is important for you do know the science behind your wrist and hand movements and to also know what to do to keep your hands loose to prevent carpal tunnel pain. It isn’t difficult to do and will save you time and money in the future. Your hands need you!

Carpel tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves of the fingers, hands, and arms. It is caused by any type of repetitive motion of the hands and wrists while working, playing sports, or doing hobbies. Some of the people that are commonly stricken with the condition include office workers, construction workers, and football players. There is a nerve, the median nerve, that runs the length of your arm. The nerve is held in place by the transverse carpal ligament. If this ligament tightens around the median nerve, carpal tunnel symptoms are felt.

The median nerve runs the length of the arm and is bunched together by the transverse carpal ligament there. This transverse carpal ligament can become tightened around the wrist thus causing the problem with the median nerve.

What can be done to relieve the annoying symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Many people seriously consider taking the risky path of surgery. Nobody really knows the full results of any kind of surgery and even this minor procedure can cause big problems later on. Do you really want to have a surgeon severe the transverse carpal ligament? Of course it will heal but nobody can predict how well the recovery will go and there is no guarantee that you will regain all of your hand strength after the surgery. Surgery should really only be considered as a last resort.

What do people do about carpal tunnel symptoms? Many people consider surgery for carpal tunnel symptoms, but that can be a very risky path to take. After all, we really don’t know the full results of any surgery, and so even this simple procedure can cause some major problems for you down the road. And do you really want your transverse carpal ligament severed? Sure, it heals back but no one knows how well the recovery will actually go and whether or now you will regain all the strength in your hands again. Surgery should be considered only as a last resort! You can reduce or even reverse the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome by taking some time to do some simple stretches and exercises. You can make simple movements with your hands, such as pinching something and then stretching your hands wide. You can even pull your fingers down, bending the wrist and stretching out the transverse carpal ligament. You can even ball your hand into a fist and then bend it downward at the wrist. You can just feel the transverse carpal ligament stretching into a comfortable position. A few minutes of great exercises and you’ll be ready to get back to work.

About the Author:

How A Memory Foam Mattress Can Improve Your Night’s Sleep

September 28, 2009 by Sciatic · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Lower Back Pain 

Are you constantly tossing and turning all night long and you really have no wish to wake up and start the new day ? One of the possible reasons is that your body is unable to relax completely as you can’t choose a suitable position to sleep in, one that is supportive in all the right places such as knees, thigh , belly and neck. One solution to this problem is to buy a queen memory foam mattress – but this is not the cheapest variant, so how about buying a memory foam pillow, mattress topper, or a memory foam sofa sleeper mattress in the first instance?

Developed for NASA in the 1970’s, memory foam was meant to provide comfort for astronauts at ascend and landing, it didn’t become available in the shops until the 1990’s. Since that time the market was constantly growing and is still growing rapidly, particularly as the medical profession recommends its use for the relief of back pains and pressure sores. Regardless of the fact that the first manufacturer was Tempur-pedic ® and used mostly in hospitals, the company eventually found out that people who used the foam, slept better, and they broadened manufacture to sell to general public . Since then other companies have created their own memory foam products. The greatest producers now are China and the Far East, but be cautious of foam products made outside of the United States.

How does it help you to sleep? Memory foam is visco-elastic which means that it adjusts to the body temperature by getting softer when it is warm and harder when it is cool . That means that your body warmth softens the corresponding part of memory foam and it adjusts to your shape. What needs to be said here – with the cheaper, lower density foams, the foam can get as hard as cement when the it is really cold or it may become far too soft on hot summer nights. The more expensive brands guarantee that they will work in the way they should through a wide range of temperatures.

If you’re still not sure why not get a foam pillow or a memory foam topper for instance. Most producers offer a selection of goods and the better ones can offer a trial period and longer guarantees too so that if the item doesn’t suit you, you can return it back.

How to choose a memory foam mattress? There are certain differences in the way mattresses are made so it is vital to find out from a retailer how they are constructed and which type of construction would suit you best. Rule of thumb – mattresses can either have three or four inches of memory foam on top of a denser supportive layer . More thickness isn’t inevitably right either as you can sink in too far before reaching the core! If you sleep on your stomach you need to purchase 2 inch (5cm approx.) foam, those who sleep on side and medium sized people should buy a foam memory mattress with three inch (7.5cm approx) foam and heavier people or those who sleep on their back should buy the four inch (10cm approx).

There are lots of advantages but what about the disadvantages? Why memory foam failed to be used by NASA? Foam is an artificial product that emits gases when it’s new. In your home this wears off in a very short space of time, but could have been problem in a space ship ! Nevertheless, if you are allergic to this gas , you should think about finding a natural product like a foam latex mattress.

Five Tips For Better Rest

September 28, 2009 by Sciatic · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Lower Back Pain 

Insomnia, which affects millions of people, is a condition that prevents people from falling asleep or only lets them nap for short periods of time.. Since sleep researchers indicate inadequate sleep as a leading contributing factor to most major diseases, it’s evident that it’s not just important but imperative to slumber well. Fortunately, those same sleep medical professionals have also exposed the circumstances that influence quality of sleep. Basic lifestyle changes can have you sleeping like a baby in no time. B are five tips to explore before you consider asking your doctor for a sleeping aid or buying one over the counter.

1. Invest in good bedding. Getting a good night’s sleep may be as basic as getting a new queen memory foam mattress. Many people report that a memory foam mattress allowed them to completely relax and sleep deeply for the first time in their lives. You can usually find a foam mattress discount online that will allow you to buy a quality mattress at an affordable price. You might even find discounts on a luxury plush mattress or a Tempur-Pedic. Invest in the very best bedding you can affordas well. Sheets with the highest thread count are silky soft and luxurious, and your blankets and comforters should provide the same feeling. Some mattress suppliers give away bonus sheets or comforters with thepurchase of a new mattress, but these are in general of a low quality as they are a free add-on for buying the mattress. If you want quality, you most likely will have to pay for it..

2. Put your body on a schedule. Going to bed and waking up at a set time everyday (yup, weekends too) puts your body on a regimented sleeping pattern. After a while, your body will “look forward to” to sleeping at a fixed time, and you might not even need an alarm clock to get up for work. (You’ll find that your day starts out much better when you wake naturally rather than being jarred awake by an alarm.)

3. Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Your bedroom should be cool, dark and quiet. Even the slightest bit of sound or glow-such as the ticking of a clock or a light left on outside-can disturb sleep, even though the person sleeping may not be conscious of it. Resolve the issue as you deem necessary: Thicker window coverings or a small sleeping mask will screen out the light; earplugs and “white noise” like a ceiling fan can help with intrusive noises. Seventy degrees is the optimal sleeping temperature. Make sure you don’t go above 75 or below 54.

4. Relax. Stress wreaks havoc on sleep. Find a way to relax before bedtime. Read something that is not too heavy, meditate, perform some gentle stretches, or enjoy an herbal bath.

5. Protect your sleep from the great caffine caper. Caffeine stays in your system longer than you might imagine-up to 8 hours. For a good night’s sleep, you should prohibit caffeine intake at least 6 hours prior to bedtime. Remember that soda drinks, most teas, and most desserts all contain enough caffine to interfere with your sleep.

Many of people who have used this advice immensely improved their sleep quality which in turn provides a refreshed body and clear mind in the morning. Try them out four yourself and see how much better you can feel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms – The Way to Know if You’re a A Sufferer of Carpal Tunnel

September 28, 2009 by Tom Nicholson · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Physical Therapy 

Alarmingly enough, carpal tunnel syndrome is nowadays so prevalent, that health officials consider it to be a pandemic. Unfortunately, there are literally millions of people affected by this noticeably painful condition, even though many sufferers don’t even realize it. Furthermore, many people don’t believe it’s necessary to go and see a doctor once they become aware of the symptoms, and this of course only causes the condition to become even worse. Strangely enough, even though people are nowadays better informed regarding the condition, there remain a vast number of people who are still unfamiliar with regards to the symptoms, causes and treatments.

Perhaps you have heard about carpal tunnel, but you may not be sure whether you are a victim of this problem. This is why you owe it to yourself to learn more. You need to know about the common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. You also need to know how this problem affects workers today, and what you can do about it.

Due to the fact that many people overuse their wrist and finger muscles, an imbalance can occur that makes the bones within the wrist move, which can make the carpal tunnel even smaller, which puts pressure on the median nerve that is located in this tunnel. Movements like typing, squeezing, gripping, or doing other repetitive actions, can lead to the development of this disease.

The more the nerve gets compressed in the tunnel, the more carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms begin to occur, with many people experiencing pins and needles in their hands as well as in their wrists. This is often followed by numbness, or a tingling sensation which is often accompanied by pain. In fact, if the disease is left unchecked and allowed to develop into an advanced stage, it is possible to lose coordination, as well as the strength in your hands.

Over and above the symptoms just mentioned, sufferers will also often experience stiffness and noticeable discomfort when doing certain tasks, which otherwise would not have been a problem. It is also worth noting that the pain is not always restricted to the hands and wrists, in that it can spread up into the forearms, elbows, and even the shoulders.

You can eliminate the symptoms that you are dealing with if you get the right treatment. Often the right exercises for the hands and wrists are able to provide some relief from this problem, although exercises are not the only treatment options available. You may want to look into a good wrist splint for wrists affected by the problem, which can give the wrists a rest and eliminate some of the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms you have. Other treatment options are available as well, to help you stop this problem from going any further and ruining your life.

About the Author:

Acupuncture Defined

September 27, 2009 by Sciatic · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Lower Back Pain 

What in the world is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the process of inserting and maneuvering needles in the skin to provide relaxation and relieve pain. Acupuncture originates in China and has been practiced for many years. It has become increasingly popular over the years, being featured on television shows such as Oprah and written about in magazines. Some people might be asking, “Why would I want a bunch of needles poked into my skin?”

Acupuncture is said to be relatively painless. It may be a bit surprising at first, but by the end of the treatment you are said to feel refreshed and relaxed. Some people use acupuncture as an anti-aging process. Using small needles that don’t cause you much pain would definitely beat going under the knife and enduring plastic surgery. It is definitely less painful than getting a tattoo. Some people have said that the benefits of acupuncture are quite noticeable and can take years off of their appearance.

Acupuncture is a treatment with a holistic philosophy behind it. This means that the medical care is performed with spiritual, mental, and physical aspects in mind. In the same sense, the ancient Chinese people who performed the treatment did it on points where it was believed that the qi flowed. Qi is the flow of energy throughout the body. It is important to yoga and other practices where spirituality is involved. Qi is an important part of Chinese philosophies. The spiritual beliefs behind acupuncture have made it somewhat controversial, but those who have an open mind find it a healing and relaxing process.

The needles used in modern acupuncture are generally made of steel. They are disposable and treated so that they are completely safe for use. There is no risk of cross contamination between patients. They are generally only a few centimeters long and have a very tiny diameter. This is the reason that many say they are painless.

If you work a stressful job, long hours, or stand on your feet a lot during the day, maybe it’s time that you take some moments to relax and try acupuncture. In addition to relieving stress, acupuncture is also useful for pain management. Acupuncture has been known to decrease bloating and cramps in the abdominal region and has also been used for muscle pain. It releases chemicals in your body that help you to manage your pain. It also reduces any inflammation and increases circulation.

The general consensus behind acupuncture is that it is well worth a try. Since it is a holistic practice, you will not experience the same negative side effects as plastic surgery or chemical peels. Do some research as to the different kinds of acupuncture to see if there is one that fits your pain or illness.

If you’re looking for a new way to relax or manage the pain you have been feeling, consider the benefits and history of acupuncture. It has been around for a long time, but modern research has ensured that it is now more effective. Acupuncture is a great treatment option.

Acupuncture can help with back pain specialist nyc and neck pain doctor nyc.

Get practical information in the sphere of lose 10 pounds – please go through this webpage. The time has come when concise info is really only one click away, use this possibility.

Reducing Stress With Chiropractic

September 27, 2009 by Dr. Jason Fowler · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Chiropractic 

We certainly live in stressful times. It is not easy to assess whether our era is the most stressful, but we do have plenty of daily stress. The job, the home, the kids, the relatives, and the economy – all these stresses add up and yet we wonder why we have so many aches and pains.

There are so many ailments that are stress-related. Americans are notoriously overweight. Overeating is a stress-coping mechanism.1 Headaches and backaches are often associated with increased stress. There’s a strong correlation between high blood pressure and stress, ulcers and stress, and even cancer and stress.

What can we do? The external stresses in our lives are not going away. Our activity-filled lives are busy and complex – there’s always going to be stress. The key is to help avoid or ease the physical effects of stress. Interestingly, chiropractic treatment can be of great assistance in reducing the effects of stress on the body.

In general, stress causes muscles to tighten. This is an unconscious reaction. Tight muscles cause a cascade of further muscle tightening, shortening of muscles and ligaments, and a resulting decrease of mobility in joints, particularly shoulder joints, hip joints, and joints of the spine.2,3

This overall mechanical effect of stress has a number of additional consequences. All extra unconscious muscle activity wastes precious nutritional resources and uses up energy needed for critical body functions. Lactic acid accumulates, irritating nerve endings and further increasing muscular tightness. And, importantly, the losses in spinal joint mobility lead directly to increased levels of pain. This, of course, leads to more stress.

This vicious circle of stress, muscular tightness, and pain can be relieved and reduced by chiropractic treatment.4 Chiropractic therapy is specially designed to improve joint mobility of the spine and pelvis. This gentle, effective treatment gradually restores maximal spinal motion. Muscle tightness is alleviated, metabolic processes begin to return to normal, and nutrients become much more available to help maintain healthy functioning. Levels of pain are reduced, and we become better able to withstand the physical effects of stress.

Your chiropractor will explain the many benefits of treatment, and will provide instruction in stretching techniques and specific exercises that help maintain the positive results of therapy.

There will always be stress in our lives. We can learn how to reduce the physical effects of stress, and become stronger, healthier, and happier in the process. ——————————————————————————–

Take a Break! A few quick tips -

You can get up out of your chair or leave your workbench and walk over to an open window. Change your point-of-view. Breathe some fresh air. Go for a five-minute walk, either in the corridors of your building or out-of-doors. Call a friend and chat for five minutes. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and take an imaginary vacation – relaxing on a warm beach, deep-sea fishing on a beautiful yacht, or skiing down a gorgeous mountain.

These short, focused breaks will help reduce muscular tightness and physical stress, and also help your brain recharge so you can be more creative and productive!

1Marchesini G, et al: Psychiatric distress and health-related quality of life in obesity. Diabetes Nutr Metab 16(3):145-154, 2003 2Weickgenant AL, et al: Coping activities in chronic low back pain: relationship with depression. Pain 53(1):95-103, 1993 3Burns JW: Arousal of negative emotions and symptom-specific reactivity in chronic low back pain patients. Emotion 6(2):309-319, 2006 4Hurwitz EL, et al. A randomized trial of chiropractic and medical care for patients with low back pain. Spine 31(6):611-621, 2006

About the Author:

Next Page »