The Universal Natural Pain Relief

There are 4 things I like to look at regarding any pain or tension issues. 

1. Joint stiffness

2. Muscle tension

3. Muscle weakness

4. Aggravating factors 

1. Joints: 

• Movement is key to joint range of motion. 

• We need to take all of our joints through their complete range of motion. 

• If we are stuck at a computer all day, or doing one repetitive motion and less of other motions, this can cause stiffness in our joints which can then lead to other issues. 

Mobility exercises would be the solution here. These can be found within yoga classes, YouTube, given by a health practitioner or online. 

2. Muscle tension: 

• Tight muscles can affect and restrict joint range of motion. 

• Tight muscles don't mean painful muscles and tight muscles don't always feel tight (unless stretched)

• This is more of an issue long term as tension can lead to restricted range of motion, stiff joints, lack of blood flow, slower recovery time and risk of injury or condition.

• It is also a recipe for disaster when in combination of both a weakness and a tightness, this is usually when you get the pain or tension signal in your body. 

Frequent stretching can help prevent muscle tension, lengthen shortened muscles from inactivity and recover muscles after activity.  

3. Muscle weakness: 

• I can not stress this one enough on how important it is to train your muscles! 

• You may of heard "if you don't use it, you'll lose it" ? Well no your muscles aren’t going to run away, but yes, they WILL become weak if you don't train them... simple. 

• Weak muscles can cause issues and this will become more and more important as you get older.

• There are A LOT of muscles in the body, so no, doing a couple squats and sit ups is not enough. 

• Also no, you do not need to lift heavy weights and get super "buff" .. unless you want that. 

• The goal is not about lifting heavy, it is about training your whole body, in full range of motion, with correct technique, this can be done with body weight, light weight or resistance. 

• The goal here is for your overall health and wellbeing, to stay independent, so you can enjoy the things you like doing and reduce risk of injury.

I highly recommend you first seek professional support when first starting out doing strength training, this can include; personal training, pilates, strength classes or physiotherapy. 

4. Aggravating factors: 

• Maybe the most obvious and simple, yet can be the most overlooked. 

• This should be the first thing that is looked at and removed before anything else. 

Example here would be a poor office set up and long hours sitting down. You would fix the office set up to be ergonomic; a good office chair, a sit to stand desk (if able), computer at eye level etc. Also take more frequent breaks and stretch throughout the day. 

A combination of all 4 can give you the best chance at long term pain relief!