ŌNIX
THOSE COLD WEATHER ACHES AND PAINSÕ
Our
office has been besieged this past week with clients complaining of sore backs,
aching shoulders, painful knees and in general all over stiff joints. Nothing
like eleven inches of snow to shovel and cold to make oneÕs muscles and joints
painful. Even the youngest and strongest of individuals will suffer from that
kind of workout.
Oh,
but donÕt despair you can side step a lot of those aches and pains with the use
of the following supplements.
The
major player in cold weather aches and pains comes from poor microcirculation
in the muscles and the bodyÕs inability to carry off accumulations of lactic
acid, a by product of exercise. Counter act lactic acid build up with the use
of a calcium magnesium potassium supplement- best taken before you begin your
cold weather outdoor activities. Another great and inexpensive mineral fix is
Certo, the jam and jelly thickener. I tend never to use the word fix when it
comes to ailments, but in this case if there is one itÕs Certo. Made mostly
from apple pectin-apple skins, Certo is high in magnesium and malic acid. Use a
teaspoon in a glass of grape juice one to three times daily to offset lactic
acid build up and the aches and pains that come with it.
Glucosamine
Chondrotin used regularly is a must. Not only does this supplement help protect
your joints as you age by making stronger joints, it helps prevent you from
injury while out trying to find your balance in the snow and ice. Because this
supplement is so nourishing to the joints it acts almost like aspirin and
Motrin, relieving inflammation and soreness.
Digestive
enzymes work as natural anti-inflammatories and help relieve and prevent damage
to the joints year round but especially during times when your body and joints
are over worked and over stressed. If you prefer to use foods try fresh
pineapple or papaya naturally high in bromelian.
Magnet
therapy can provide great relief for intensely sore spots. I prefer small
magnets worn or taped directly on to the area of pain. It usually takes 12-24
hours for the pain to be relieved. If the pain has moved into another area of
the joint, simply re-tape the magnet on to that area.
Although
itÕs cold and you may not feel thirsty donÕt forget to drink plenty of water.
During that kind of heavy exercise like shoveling your muscles need extra water
to carry off toxins.
After
30 minutes of intense work in the cold you should give your muscles a break.
Drink water and allow your joints to rest. This will help prevent soreness and
possible joint damage.
Last
but not least emergency rooms are filled with men and women over fifty that
thought they could shovel their way out and instead had a heart attack or
severely injured their backs or necks. Nothing especially not a trip to the store
or dayÕs lost work is worth risking your health. LetÕs let common sense
prevail, the winter season is still very young. Till next time, Rebecca