Sometimes the way you live your life and the things you do can be causing you pain. And that actually is good news. It means that with some simple lifestyle changes, you can begin to live pain-free. If you have a job or hobby which is characterized with repetitive actions and movements or you live a sedentary lifestyle, there is a good chance that you experience pain on a frequent basis.
Stiff muscles and joints can come from inactivity, and those over 40 years of age are going to have to deal with chronic pain more frequently than younger folks. Let us take a look at several lifestyle choices that cause chronic pain, and what you can do for relief.
One study tracked thousands of volunteers for 30 years. The findings were actually quite amazing, and pointed to a cause of pain which doctors had never linked before. Those male test subjects that took up smoking between the ages of 14 and 44 were much more likely to experience back pain.
Smoking in both men and women was found to be a direct cause of fibromyalgia and neck pain. Incredibly, that study, as well as an important piece of research done in Kentucky in the United States, showed that smoking was more directly linked to chronic pain than old age and obesity.
And while we all know that exercise is important for a healthy life, obese women in that study had dramatically higher rates of sciatica than those who were not overweight. Sciatica refers to chronic pain which can move from your lower back through your hips and buttocks, and even down your legs.
The last couple of decades, more and more workers have begun to telecommute. Working at home from your PC can cause back, shoulder and neck pain if your computer chair is uncomfortable or poorly suited for your body type. And of course, spending a lot of time on the computer, for work or fun, can lead to pain in your wrists and hands.. not to mention your neck and shoulders.
If you are frequently on your computer, make sure that your chair is comfortable and supportive. And stand at least 10 or 15 minutes for every hour of sitting. If you use a mouse to control your cursor, make sure that your forearm is in a posture which is parallel to the floor.
Stretching your neck and having a good posture can help prevent overworking the muscles that keep your head upright and aligned with your body. Become aware of how you're holding your head as you work, making simple changes like this can have a big impact on your wellness.
Massage is a wonderful way to help release tension and relax those tight, overworked muscles. With regular massage, especially in those trouble areas, you can feel relief in your body.
Also, exercise and a well balanced diet can do wonders for alleviating pain, no matter what type of lifestyle you choose. If you smoke, you probably know the many dangers it's known to cause, which also includes chronic pain to the list. There are many methodologies which can help you stop smoking. As a former smoker, I know the struggle, but can also tell you that quitting is possible too.