ŌHow Daily Habits Cause
Pain And Stress For Our BodiesÕ
Almost daily I have
clients come to my office and say they have muscle pain but the donÕt feel they
did anything to cause it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the fact is
that you probably did. Chronic muscle pain is not always from injury. In fact
it is more often than not a progressive overuse issue that develops over time.
ItÕs not really something that reached out and grabbed you, it just seems that
way.
Here are some of
the big daily no-no's that we all do.
1. Grocery Bag
Warrior- There was a time in my life when it was
literally against my religion to grocery shop more than once a week, which
included hauling them from the car to the house in one haul. What a strain on
wrists and shoulders. Fast-forward a couple of days- still trying to figure out
why your arms and shoulders hurt?
2. The Lop Sided
Driver- ever tried sitting in a chair for 30 minutes with a 1-inch book
under one butt cheek? This is the equivalent of having self-induced scoliosis
(an S shaped curve of the back.) One side of the waist collapses into the
pelvic structure and causes the lower ribs to jut out slightly on the opposite
side. The neck moves off in the opposite direction as well trying keep the head
and body aligned. A wallet in the back pants pocket can create this very
scenario. Not to mention the pressure your wallet puts on the sciatic nerve.
3. High Heel Horror-
The fact of the matter is high heels do make a womenÕs legs look fabulous, and
many women like the extra height. But high heels wreak havoc on the body
throwing the center of gravity off. This causes tightness in the low back, and
calves, and draws your head and neck forward putting increased force on the
forefoot and inner knee, which leads to degenerative changes over time. The
podiatrist will tell you itÕs like being pregnant without the belly, and it
doesn't end after 9 months. The damage is accumulative, and many times
irreversible.
4. Cell phone
shoulder- This one is a little different in the respect that most
individuals recognize just how sore their shoulder and even more so their neck
is after propping the phone on the shoulder during lengthy conversations. We
know we are injuring our neck and shoulder at the time but are distracted by
the conversation.
5. Mouse trap
shoulder- this is most common one of all. I donÕt know the percentage of
Americans that own and use a computer these days, but I know itÕs very high.
Reaching forward, up and off to the side is a very unnatural movement and
isolates the muscles of the shoulder and neck causing headache, arm pain and
numbness, neck and shoulder discomfort.
Pay attention to how
you use your body throughout the routines of your day. When you find yourself
over reaching, stooping, sitting or standing in odd ways work to correct it.
Your body will repay you. Till next time, Rebecca.
12/6/08