Lift Heavy Boxes with Your Brain

Before setting out to lift a heavy box, a piece of equipment, etc., lift it with your brain. Size it up and ask yourself if lifting this object by yourself is worth an aching back. 

If you decide you can manage a heavy object by yourself, follow these back saving guidelines:

1.  Stand as close to the object as possible. 

2.  Bend your knees (don't bend your waist). 

3.  Concentrate on lifting with your thigh muscles (not your back muscles). If your thigh muscles aren't up to the job, get someone to help you lift the thing. 

4.  While you're lifting, keep the object as close to your body as possible. 

5.  Don't twist your waist while you're carrying the object; if you must turn, turn with your feet. 

Remember that pushing a heavy object is easier on your back than pulling.

The Importance of Hydration

Our body is 60% water and our brain 80%

A few obvious indicators of dehydration: Constipation, dry skin, kidney infections, hangovers...

A few not so obvious: Tiredness and fatigued, lack of nutrients, a weak immune system, constant hunger, weight gain, joint pain...

Head over to Ten warning signs you're not drinking enough water for more.

Combat Addiction with Alternative Medicines

Chronic Pain. Ugh. 

Opioids. UGH!

“...as many as 1-in-4 people who receive prescription opioids long term for non-cancer pain subsequently struggle with addiction...”

“Over the counter acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical medications and injections are just some of the medications increasingly being used by patients to manage chronic pain without opiates, but the medical treatment that's perhaps shown the most promise in treating chronic pain is cannabis.”

A few quotes from “Taking a look at alternative treatments for chronic pain”

Options listed in the article: Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Chiropractic, Electrotherapy, Electroacupuncture, are all excellent... but to list massage under relaxation therapies, as almost a side note, made me chuckle - especially when thinking of my clients. (They may beg to differ - my treatments tend to be a functional, therapeutic workout for both of us. 😊)

Yes, the opioid epidemic seems far from over. Every one of us has a responsibility to our Self to search out Healthy Self-Care options. What works for one individual, may not for another. 

I would like to add to this list - aka urge you to look into Myofascial Release, and Sports Massage. (life is a sport!) So many ailments can be successfully treated with bodywork. This is not to skip over necessary management of pain. Working hand in hand - pun intended - with a qualified practitioner, while managing pain, could make all the difference. 

Our bodies hold memories from experiences - both physical and emotional. Pain rears its head in sometimes surprising and ‘unnoticed’ ways - then wreaks havoc. There is much information on this as well. (Psychoneuroimmunology - the mind/body/immune systems connection) (This is my current study - absolutely amazing. I’ve shared many links on my site www.humankneads.com)