blog technical problems: front page whackiness

We're temporarily having technical difficulties with this blog's front page. If you do not immediately see blog posts here, then go to the blog post archive and select a date. Hot topics on this blog include:
Pain Relief issues like wrist pain and carpal tunnel symptoms, stretches for back pain, exercises for neck pain
How hip-hop stars are giving troubled kids a brighter future
One swimming woman's journey across the Atlantic
The latest stem cell studies and future research needs
Eating healthier and consuming less
Natural pain relief methods and alternative medicine
Recovery from injuries: for athletes, work-related injuries, hobbyists
Therapeutic effects of play for children
Healthy weight loss: goal-setting, changing your mind about weight loss
Starting a new exercise program and selecting the best home gym equipment for your fitness goals

Hand and Wrist Pain from Work deserve this 1 easy natural relief remedy

If your work is causing chronic pain in your hands and wrists, you might overlook some simple first aid steps. They could provide great relief, whether your pain just started or is ongoing.

There is one modified self-care step that you should do immediately after work. (You can do it before or during work, too, for more relief). Read this article to discover this 1 step you should be taking:


http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Your-Hands-and-Wrists-Ache-From-Work?-To-Relieve-Pain-and-Revive,-Do-This-Immediately-After-Work&id=1871166

To grab your free copy of the '10-Day Support & Coaching Guide to Pain Relief', hop on over to www.PainFreeU.com and get yours. You'll get daily videos and articles, conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Chronic Pain- Eating pain into your life

If you have chronic pain, healthy eating is important. You could be eating foods that actually increase pain and inflammation. In his new book, Dr. Neal Barnard reveals which foods fight pain and which foods cause pain.

If you have arthritis or joint pain, migraines or headaches, chest pain, kidney problems, knee pain, and even cancer, it's vital to know what's in your foods.



Some foods trigger pain only if you are allergic to them, like dairy or night-shade vegetables. How can you tell? Systematically eliminate certain foods from your diet and feel if your pain decreases. For example, if you consume yogurt alot because you think it's a "healthier dairy product", you might be lactose-intolerant.

Eating foods like soda and chips, and processed meats, cause other health problems, in addition to pain and inflammatory diseases. (Note: if you have a condition that's an "-itis", that means inflammation is affecting your body)

For more information on pain relief, healthy eating, and disease prevention, Go to http://www.SupportandCoaching.com . Subscribe to their Ageless Living newsletter today!

More Articlesabout pain relief, natural therapies & Meet Nina

If you'd like to read more articles about pain relief, natural therapies and alternative medicine, go to Nina's bio page at ezinearticles.

Nina Schnipper is the Support & Coaching team director at Higher Spa in Basalt, Colorado. She offers a pain relief guide, "10-Day Support & Coaching Guide to Pain Relief": you can get your own free copy of the guide at http://www.PainFreeU.com.

Again, to find out more about Platinum Author Nina Schnipper, and to read her articles about pain management and natural therapies, go to...
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Nina_Schnipper

Got pain? Sign Up for Nina's '10-Day Support & Coaching Guide to Pain Relief' at PainFreeU.com!

Pain Causes: Pulled Muscle, Pinched Nerve, or Pain Syndrome?

When you feel pain, sometimes it's tough to tell whether your pain is caused by a muscular or soft tissue injury, or nerve impingement and nervous system trauma, or maybe there's a deeper underlying cause.

There are several types of pain syndromes that might be the deeper root of your pain symptoms. These can cause you to feel:
*Hypersensitive to regular touch or pressure
*Extreme pain or discomfort in one area
*Restricted movement
*Other areas affected near the injured area

Read this article and think about your own physical signs:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Causes-of-Your-Pain---Pulled-Muscle,-Pinched-Nerve,-Or-Pain-Syndrome?&id=1588669

A muscle strain, impinged nerve, or soft tissue sprain should respond well to first aid. But a pain syndrome will require careful evaluation and specific treatment.

Natural therapies such as massage, acupuncture, and sauna use can all provide relief and speed recovery. But start with basic first aid, then a comprehensive assessment if your pain persists, and then appropriate treatment after you have determined the cause of your pain.

Muscle pain and restricted movement? Find out if trigger points are causing you troubles

Do your muscles feel sore, tense or painful? Is your movement restricted? Many people do not fully understand Trigger Points, so they do not think about them as possible causes of their muscle pain.

Learn more about trigger points:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Painful-Trigger-Points-Causing-Muscle-Pain-and-Limiting-Your-Movement?&id=1507209

You might have searched for causes of your pain. And maybe your searching didn't provide answers. After reading that article, you should have a better idea if trigger points might be the cause. And if trigger points are underlying your muscle problems, you'll want to see a therapist with special training in trigger point treatment.

By relieving trigger point tension, you can:
*Improve blood flow to restricted areas
*Free your movement
*Relieve muscle tension
*Ease pain
*Reduce stress in your body

Trigger Point therapy might help you to feel free...at last!

Natural Thai therapies for pain relief

Have you tried ancient pain relief methods from Thailand? Based in an ancient, sacred form of medicine called Ayurveda, Thai therapies have many health benefits.

*Relieve pain
*Recover faster
*Sleep better
*Ease soreness
*Reduce stress
*Improve energy
*Regulate mood
*Boost metabolism
*Get Healthier!

Read more about how Thailand's remedies can soothe your weary muscles and improve your health:
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Treat-Muscle-Pain-and-Relieve-Symptoms-With-Natural-Thai-Therapies&id=1535452

So, the next time you need natural relief, "Try Thai!"

Got Shoulder, Arm & Neck Pain? Learn how they're related and get relief

If you have been suffering from arm, shoulder, and neck pain, your relief might be simpler than you would think. If you're feeling pain in these areas concurrently, they may be related. And relieving one of these areas might relieve them all.

Read this article to understand:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Symptoms-of-Pain-in-the-Shoulder,-Arm-and-Neck-Muscles-Relate-and-How-to-Relieve-Them-Together&id=1535490

If you have been trying to treat these pains as 3 separate problems, you might find immense relief when you treat them altogether.

Remember: the body is an amazing place, connected by interrelated parts. Structurally and physiologically, its parts are dependant on each other. If you are feeling distress in one area, there is probably distress in other areas, too.

So, as you find the cause of your pain and start treating it, treat other affected areas in the process.

the 3 Essentials of Back Pain Relief: Use Core-Strength, Cardio, and Recovery to get rid of back pain

If you suffer from back pain, there are 3 key therapeutic principles you need to know. If you learn and practice these, then you can achieve long-lasting relief. If you avoid them, you might suffer pain forever-more.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Extreme-Back-Pain-Relief---Banish-That-Pain-Forever-With-Core-Muscle-Strength,-Cardio-and-Recovery&id=1508652

Again, these 3 Principles of Core, Cardio & Recovery hold enormous healing power. But you must apply them diligently. Start slowly, but persist, until eventually these habits are part of your healthy lifestyle!

One day, your daily routine will feel incomplete if you haven't practiced these 3 habits. And that's when you know you're in the final stages of healing!

Sore, overworked muscles? Studies reveal massage offers relief

Do your muscles often get sore and fatigued? Do they feel overworked?

Massage has been one of Americans' favorite kinds of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). 2 New research studies indicate that massage therapy was found to relieve muscle soreness and tension from muscles that get overworked. Read more here:

http://ezinearticles.com/?2-New-Muscle-Soreness-Studies-Reveal-Efficacy-of-Massage-For-Relieving-Overworked-Muscles&id=1308149

There are many styles of massage therapy to enjoy. However, when muscles are sore from working too hard, they usually need just smoothe, fluid Swedish massage. It can be light or medium pressure, but avoid firm pressure (or Deep Tissue therapy) when you are feeling sore. Your body needs to recover.
Techniques of Swedish massage are most often those studied in massage and pain relief research.

Relieve Neck Pain with Muscle Activation methods

It is simple to relieve neck pain with muscle activation techniques! Maybe you have tried to stretch your neck to loosen tension and make it feel better.

But where there is muscle tension, there are patterns. Tension represents muscles out of balance. Some are being overworked, and others are not working hard enough.

It's fine to treat the overworked with muscles. Stretch them, get a massage, and apply ice to them.

But don't forget those muscles that should be working harder!

This is why Muscle Activation is effective in treating neck pain. Discover more about these methods, and how to use them to relieve your own pain:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Relieve-Neck-Pain-Naturally-and-Retrain-Weary-Muscles-With-These-3-Muscle-Activation-Secrets&id=1441745

When we treat all the muscles that are causing pain, then we can get rid of it for good! Learning muscle activation secrets may be the missing link in your healing!

Holistic Treatment to relieve your upper back pain and stiff neck

Are you looking for relief for your stiff neck and painful upper back muscles?
Millions of Americans are getting natural relief from holistic treatments.

Holistic treatments for pain are natural approaches. They may be used to complement a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutritious eating. They are healthy alternatives to surgery, medications, and injections. This is why they are categorized as Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or CAM.

To get relief for your stiff neck and painful upper back muscles, read more about 4 helpful holistic treatments:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Relieve-Upper-Back-Pain-and-a-Stiff-Neck-With-These-4-Holistic-Treatments&id=1454875

If you are feeling pain in the muscles of your upper body, these holistic therapies and others can provide relief.

Relieve Low-Back Pain with natural Thai massage

Maybe you have gotten massage to relieve your back pain. But there are many styles of massage therapy, and every massage therapist practices a different combination of techniques.

Have you ever received Thai massage for back pain? With origins in Thailand, this healing art may be more effective for relieving pain in the lower back than many other types of massage therapy.

Read this article to learn more about Thai massage, and why it may be one of the most effective natural therapies for relieving your low-back pain:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Thai-Massage-is-One-of-the-Best-Massage-Therapies-For-Relieving-Low-Back-Pain&id=1277669

Muscle Pain Symptoms? Try ancient muscle activation methods

When you feel painful symptoms in your muscles, this means your muscles are out of balance. One muscle group is working too hard, others are not working hard enough.

Muscle activation techniques are based in ancient healing traditions. They redirect energy in the body. The overactive muscles get energy drawn away from them, and underactive muscles get energy directed to them. Weak muscles are activated.

Read this article to learn more about how to treat muscle pain symptoms with ancient and modern Muscle Activation methods:
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Relieve-Muscle-Pain-Symptoms-Using-Ancient-and-Modern-Muscle-Activation-Methods&id=1405076

Music-Natural relief for headache-migraine pain, sleep problems

Music heals. Music is therapeutic. The healing effects of music are no secret. For people around the world who love music, we know that music is essential to our health and happiness.

Finally, lab research has demonstrated how music is effectively reducing pain, relieving headaches, and eliminating migraines. Click on this image, and follow its link to watch this video, then return here for the rest of this article, below...



This therapy has also been proven helpful for:
*Relieving Stress
*Sleep problems
*Anxiety
*Depression
*Attention Deficit Disorder and
*Substance Abuse

Pain affects Sleep

Pain causes Sleep problems.

Acute and chronic pain are directly linked to problems with sleep. When one's body is in pain, your body uses its energy to heal whatever is causing the pain. And this shift in physical processes can lead to sleep disturbance.

People in pain report having difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep,

sleeping fewer hours, and waking up at night.

Dr. James C. O'Brien MD, FCCP, became involved in sleep medicine 12 years ago when he began to notice that many of his patients, with undiagnosed sleep disorders, were not responding to conventional medical treatments. When sleep disorders were diagnosed and treated, a patient's condition improved, and they reported a new sense of well-being. Dr. O'Brien discusses some of the physical changes that our bodies feel when we are in pain, and how it impacts sleep. He was interviewed for Medical News Today about the affects of pain on sleep. He shared how pain can affect the body's ability to "shut down".

When someone is in pain, their hormones shift. Adrenalin, our body's hormonal response to pain, can be in "overdrive" mode. When we have extra adrenalin surging, it is difficult to relax and prepare for sleep. "Pain is clearly the nemesis of getting good sleep", says Dr. O'Brien.

Differentiating acute pain (due to a recent injury or muscle strain) from chronic pain (long-term symptoms like arthritis pain, even when injury has healed) can help sleep treatment. Acute and chronic pain can influence sleep differently, so they may require different treatment.

Dr. Ellen Miller describes how medications can further complicate sleep problems. The medications have ingredients that stimulate the body and the nervous system. Some include caffeine, which stimulates the nervous system and inhibits sleep.

Medications may also have irritating side effects. So, then sleep can be disturbed due to the initial pain and due to medications' side effects.

If you have difficulty sleeping, or if you have pain which may affect your sleep, here are some of the experts' most common tips for improving sleep quality:

*Avoid caffeine late in the day
*Exercise early in the day
*Avoid drinking too much liquid in the evening
(author's note: hydrate early in the day, because dehydration can increase pain symptoms and inhibit sleep)
*Minimize alcohol consumption, especially in the evening
*Avoid spending time in bed except for sleep time
*Practice meditation and relaxation methods
*Establish an "unwinding ritual" around bed-time
*Go to sleep at the same time each night
*Awake at the same time each day, even if you did not get a good night's sleep

Basically, Prevention and lifestyle habits are key to a good night's sleep. And understanding the connections between pain and sleep can help treat problems with both!

For more info, visit http://www.painfreeu.com/

*Incoming: Sore Skiers!*

Recent snowstorms, with predictions of snow all week long, are great for skiing conditions in the Aspen valley.

Wet, heavy snow is harder to ski in, so skiers' legs will get sore. If you expect to ski this week in Aspen, here are some ways you can prevent and relieve soreness:

• Stretch before you put on your gear and head up the hill.
  
• Keep drinking Water, while you ski and for days to follow. "If the altitude and fun times don't get ya, the dry air will."


• Eat mineral-rich foods, with magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Fish, leafy green vegetables, almonds and other nuts are good sources.


• Get a Massage. In Colorado's Aspen valley, visit Higher Spa in Basalt. Their sports massage therapists will relieve soreness, speed recovery, and get you back in Play mode.


• If you dare, if you have painfully-burning quads (i.e., your thighs, not the chair-lifts that swoosh skiers up the mountain), take an Ice bath. Yikes...

Spring skiing is fun with fresh snow and warmer temperatures. Practice these tips to prevent soreness, relieve pain, and Have More Fun!