Chronic Pain Care & Management

NOTE: Content is not a substitute for treatment or therapy, and as always, please consult with your healthcare provider.

If you have chronic pain it can be an emotional struggle as well as a physical one.

In my work with chronic pain patients, one treatment approach I use includes solution-focused interventions rooted in mindfulness. Instead of thinking ‘why me’, look at the situation from a ‘what now, how will I deal with this’ perspective.  A new mindset can make the situation less stressful, and if you are less anxious, your body will cope with the pain better.


Learn To Relax

Pain occurs to warn you that there is something wrong with your body. It is often in the muscles, but can occur in other parts of the body as well- such as the nerves. If your body is tense the pain could be worse, but learning to relax can aid in lessening the effects of it.

Calming your body down is the objective, and you have to find the best method of relaxing your muscles that suits you and helps to improve your well-being. Some people are lucky enough just to be able to sit back and it happens naturally, where others will have to do progressive muscle relaxing for it to work.

Rest

Some people with painful conditions feel exhausted throughout the day, but may find it difficult to rest due to the high demands of living in today’s society. However, rest is a key factor in proper recovery, so making sure that you listen to your body and try to incorporate rest breaks throughout your day will aid in rejuvenating your body, and could reduce some pain related symptoms.

Don’t Overdo It

If your chronic pain is a bit easier after a few days of rest and relaxation, don’t suddenly try to do everything you normally would. Overdoing it can delay your recovery so even if you are feeling better, take it easy for a while longer. Perhaps doing light tasks can suffice, but keep them simple or you could be back at square one.

Eat Foods That Are Anti-Inflammatory

There are some foods and herbs such as turmeric, oily fish, red fruits and vegetables, and leafy greens that have anti-inflammatory properties. Carrots, squash, watermelon, and peaches are all additions to your diet that could help.

Seek Help from a Medical Professional

There is help available if you’re experiencing in chronic pain. Your healthcare provider is a first step in treatment, or you can visit a specialist- like a chiropractor or physical therapist. Moreover, depending on the type of pain you’re experiencing, you could also try acupuncture or massage therapy.

Another alternative medical approach uses feedback modalities- such as Neurofeedback or Biofeedback. These non-invasive treatment therapies help teach you how to control your own physiology, and in many cases, can reduce pain symptoms in the back, neck, nerves and other areas.


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Understanding Causes & Cures of Headaches

Although they are a common, everyday occurrence, most people don’t really understand headaches all that well. They are something that you might find cropping up in your life routinely, and yet you might not really know where they come from or the best ways to deal with them. That can clearly be a big problem, so you should make sure that you are doing whatever you can to try and get to the bottom of them a little more effectively. The more that you learn to understand headaches and how they function, the more chance you have of either getting rid of them or managing them more effectively. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the things you might want to know about headaches.

Science Behind Headaches

The main cause of headaches is dehydration. In fact, we can say that the vast majority of headaches are caused by dehydration and nothing else. As such, avoiding headaches at all in the future will largely be a case of ensuring that you are drinking enough water. If you can manage to stay as hydrated as necessary, you will find that you are much more likely to avoid headaches, and that even when they do occur you should be able to get rid of them soon enough once they appear. Make sure that you carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go, and make a point of drinking from it regularly. That will mean that you are much more hydrated, and that you will therefore be considerably more free of headaches in the future - something that most people would be glad for.

Dehydration

The main cause of headaches is dehydration. In fact, we can say that the vast majority of headaches are caused by dehydration and nothing else. As such, avoiding headaches at all in the future will largely be a case of ensuring that you are drinking enough water. If you can manage to stay as hydrated as necessary, you will find that you are much more likely to avoid headaches, and that even when they do occur you should be able to get rid of them soon enough once they appear. Make sure that you carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go, and make a point of drinking from it regularly. That will mean that you are much more hydrated, and that you will therefore be considerably more free of headaches in the future - something that most people would be glad for.

Pain Relief

Sometimes, you just need to know how you can deal with the pain. This can be especially important if you have a headache which is lasting a long time, or you tend to get recurring headaches or migraines. If that is something you have to live with, then you should think about what you can do in the form of pain relief, so that you can know how to deal with it whenever it should occur in the future. Some methods like acupuncture will work well for this, so you might want to seek out an acupuncture office you can visit in your area. Alternatively, you might wish to try meditation or something similar to help relieve that pain when it arises.

Migraines

Migraines are a related concept to headaches, but are a little different, and anyone who has them regularly knows of them as a different thing altogether. While a headache is merely a pain in the head, a migraine is also likely to be accompanied by a sensitivity to bright lights, possibly some ringing sounds, and maybe even could be so painful that you can’t open your eyes. In such cases, you might find that medication is important, as that could be the only real way of getting rid of the pain effectively. If you get migraines frequently, you will need to think about visiting your doctor to see whether there is anything you can do to try and make them less frequent and less intense.


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How To Achieve A Balanced State Of Well-being

You can probably attest to the fact that a long-term healthy routine is hard to achieve. Most of us fluctuate when it comes to our physical and mental well-being. You might put on a few pounds, go running for a few weeks, lose the weight, and then go back to a sedentary lifestyle. Or maybe you get into a good sleeping pattern only to ruin it all when you take a summer vacation or see your family at Christmas. After that, it takes a few months to get back into a good rhythm. Obviously, nobody’s perfect, and we’re all allowed occasional treats or lazy days when it comes to our health. In fact, being able to relax is important for your mental health, but you should strive to maintain some semblance of balance and structure in your life. These are some small steps to achieving a balanced state of well-being.

Think about your diet and level of physical activity.

The first step to consider when you’re trying to achieve a balanced state of well-being is improving your diet. The food you eat has such a big impact on your physical and emotional well being. If you’re struggling to stick to a healthy diet then try making meal plans at first. As mentioned in the introduction, the key to achieving a lasting healthy routine is to find some semblance of structure in your life. The other component of a healthy physical lifestyle is regular exercise. You need to strive for daily physical exercise in a healthy routine.

Rather than simply going for a run when you need to lose a few pounds, as was discussed in the introduction, you should try going for a run every day. Maybe you’ve never felt the motivation to do that because you don’t have the time or energy for a strenuous workout routine. However, you don’t have to push yourself too hard at first. Even 10 minutes of jogging around your local area on a daily basis is better than doing no exercise at all. You’ll feel the difference in terms of your physical and mental health. Moving your body releases endorphins in the brain, and that’ll improve your motivation. You’ll be able to gradually increase the intensity of your workout routine.


Cut down on unhealthy habits.

Living a balanced lifestyle is about more than adopting healthy habits; you also have to cut down on the unhealthy habits in your existing daily routine. We’re all allowed occasional treats in life, as mentioned earlier, but you need to recognize the habits that have developed into something more excessive. Whether you drink too much alcohol, eat too much junk food, or engage in some other bad habit, you need to wean yourself off these things if you want to achieve a balanced state of well-being. You might even want to look into residential drug treatment to get some professional assistance. It’s a smart idea to get support for unhealthy habits that are starting to spiral out of control.


Prioritize a regular sleeping pattern.

This is one of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s something that so many people in the modern world dismiss. You might think that a cup of coffee is the solution for a sleepless night, but that isn’t the case. A lack of energy is only one symptom of a larger problem. Sleep deprivation weakens your metabolism, immune system, muscles, and mental health. All of the healthy changes you’re making will be impeded by a poor sleeping routine. Get enough rest every night if you want to achieve a balanced state of well-being. If you’re struggling to get 8 hours of sleep because you can’t shut down your mind then try avoiding stimulants such as coffee and phone screens before bed.


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Medical Appointments Every Woman Should Make

Everyone has to make regular health appointments. We all have to see the dentist on an annual basis, and we should all check in with our hygienist on an annual basis too. Then, we should see our optician once every two years. These checkups allow medical professionals to examine us and keep an eye on our well-being. However, as women, there are certain extra checks that we should keep up with. Here are some to incorporate into your routine!

Making Appointments

It is extremely important that you keep up with the following appointments. Every year, thousands of women miss their own appointments for a host of reasons. If you’re guilty of this, it’s time to change your ways.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU, right??

After all, it’s only your own health and wellbeing that you’re risking! If you completely forget appointments, make sure to note them down in a diary and set reminders on your phone. If you fear medical professionals due to previous malpractice or negligence, overcome your fear by contacting professionals in defending malpractice claims - they can seek out justice on your behalf. If you have a hectic social schedule, make time. Cancelling one set of plans is better than leaving problems undiagnosed or untreated.

Cervical Screening

The first appointment that you should consider booking in for is cervical screening. This is alternatively referred to as a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. Put simply, it is a process that is used to examine cellular material from your cervix - this is the entrance to your womb through your vagina. Irregularities in this cellular material could be indicative of cancer or cancerous cells, so it’s important that you keep on top of these appointments. Generally speaking, it is recommended that women aged over twenty five attend annual screenings.

Breast Screening

It is recommended that you conduct regular checks on your own breasts at home. You can find out how to do this here. If you do notice changes or irregularities in your breast tissue or under your armpits, you should contact your general practitioner and schedule a breast screening. This will incorporate the use of a mammogram, which is a specialist form of X Ray that can detect the presence of cancerous cells before they are big enough to see or feel.

Gynecologist

Now, you don’t need to check in with a gynecologist as regularly as you might other medical professionals. But if you notice any problems with your reproductive system, or if you have any concerns, your doctor may recommend that you check in with one. Generally speaking, you can ask for your doctor to refer you. This saves you the hassle of finding a reliable gynecologist yourself.



Sure, medical appointments may not be the most pleasant scheduled events in our calendar. But it’s extremely important that we keep up with them. So, check the last time you were seen and contact the relevant professionals whenever you need.


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Keeping Your Mind Young

As a society, we’re all obsessed with youth, and with looking and feeling young. We use face creams to keep our skin youthful and soft. We drink water to try to keep ourselves healthy and our organs running at their best. We exercise to keep ourselves physically fit and to boost our circulation. Life seems so much easier when you are younger, and everything works properly, and we’re keen to keep it going for as long as we can. Even as early as our twenties, we’re starting to think about how to prevent wrinkles and aging.

But, we rarely worry about keeping our minds young. We assume that we’ve got decades before that’s something to worry about and fail to realize that by then it might be too late. Neurology will be able to help, but it’s much easier to make changes now that will help to keep your mind young in the future.

Use Your Opposite Hand

The best way to keep your mind young is to use it more and to use parts of it that you don’t usually. As children, we’re always learning and pushing our brains. They’re getting a workout every day. Then, as adults, we stick to what we know. Parts of our minds lay stagnant and unused, leading to decay.

An incredibly easy thing that you can do to challenge your brain in your day to day life is doing things with the opposite hand. Write with your opposite hand, hold your cutlery the other way around and try to rest your dominant hand when you can.

Try New Things

Trying new hobbies can be a fun way to keep your mind young. Every time you do something new, you are using a different part of your brain. Have a go at new hobbies, go to different places and try things that you’ve never done before.

Learn a Language

The language center of our brains is one that many of us rarely use. While you are young, you learn new words every day. Your vocabulary is constantly growing. Then as you get older, you just start to forget them. Reading, and having varied and interesting conversations can help a lot but learning a new language is the ultimate workout for that part of your brain.

Improve Your Diet

Your diet doesn’t just affect your body. It also has an impact on your mind. Eating healthy and getting all of the right vitamins and minerals can boost your brain power and those that regularly eat oily fish are less likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia as they age.

Drink Less Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol over a long period is one of the worst things that you can do for your mind and can lead to premature aging both mentally and physically. Try to limit drinking to a few units a week on only two or three evenings.

Avoid Loneliness

Loneliness is a crucial cause of mental health issues. Being lonely is a common problem as we age, and over time it can lead to increased risk of dementia, depression and even reduced life expectancy.


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Making The Positive Changes You Need

Changing bad habits is a plan that is easier said than done, but thanks to new products, an understanding of mental health and changing attitudes to what makes us happy the opportunity to grow out of habits and into the person you want to be, are more attainable now than ever before.

In recent years there have been new trends that have encouraged the average person to start looking beyond their familiars and using advances in technology to help them become the person they want to be. Number one of addictions according to the Dawn Rehab is tobacco and for that habit, an alternative that provides fewer health risks than its counterpart has grown sharply in the past few years. Vaping continues to develop into a mainstream product offering vape deals demonstrate a demand for this product which could soon outgrow that of the cigarette or other traditional smoking methods.


But, healthier lifestyles are not just connected to what we put inside our bodies but also what we expect our minds to be able to do. Work-life balance is causing untold amounts of mental health problems connected to lack of sleep and unmanageable levels of stress. The response to studies that find that work is affecting health is often to suggest leaving your work at the office but that isn’t always the easiest thing to do and so comes the growth of alternative solutions which should help give you some respite from the daily grind.

Studies into the positive effects of physical exercise have become more and more publicized due to the demand for help from the stress of modern life. Alternatives to therapies that can be expensive are also sought with mindfulness and well-being experiencing high demand from all walks of life as society starts to look towards creating positive habits in an attempt to alleviate pressure and to extend our lives through healthy practices.

The never-before-seen access to information and knowledge that is provided by the internet has allowed society to start looking away from the advertising tropes that encouraged all sorts of bad habits in life. Your body isn’t just a temple, it’s the only one you will have. That isn’t to say you have to avoid the food you like or socializing in bars, but it does mean that there is a demand out there now to provide you with an alternative.

Your mental health is connected to so many other factors in life and thanks to new research and a willingness to listen to those studies, you are now being afforded the opportunity to tackle the difficult moments in life. So don’t be afraid of a little change in your life because you might just look back and wonder what stopped you from accepting that progress earlier.


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4 Tips To Boost Your GI Health

When it comes to wellness, the gastrointestinal system is often overlooked. This is somewhat surprising, given that a functioning GI system is so essential to our ability to feel at our best.


Unfortunately, GI issues are all too common, with millions of people experiencing illnesses related to this delicately-balanced biological system. From illnesses such as IBS to issues with malabsorption, the problems the GI system can cause can be genuinely life-affecting. Taking steps to ensure all is well in this area is, therefore, hugely beneficial to your overall health. While you should always visit gastro doctors if you experience continual, persistent gastrointestinal issues, there are a few things you can do to give your system the best chance of enjoying good health.

Eat a high fiber diet

Fiber is essential for GI health, and can help in the management of a variety of GI health conditions as well as promoting overall good health and well-being. Thankfully, there are plenty of sources of fiber that are both beneficial to health and genuinely delicious, so try to include foods such as lentils, grains, eggs, and avocados in your diet to ensure you’re eating adequate fiber every day.

Use probiotics

Probiotics are not a particularly new innovation; these “friendly bacteria” have made their way into the diet of the average person due to the benefits they offer to GI health. However, it’s fair to say that probiotics are not all equal, and some are more beneficial than others. Make sure to research the different strains and study packaging labels to ensure maximum efficacy.

Give fermented foods and drinks a try

It’s fair to say that most people recoil from the idea of eating fermented foods, but these foods have been part of the human diet for centuries, and most specialists believe they are particularly beneficial for GI health. For a more palatable entry into the world of fermented foods, try making your own kombucha; this beverage is well-tolerated and has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over recent years.

Ensure you stay hydrated

Most of us know the importance of drinking water for overall health, but it’s also important to stay hydrated to support your GI system. The amount of water you should drink per day depends on your activity levels; two liters is considered a decent baseline requirement, and you should drink more if you exercise. If you’re going to aim to drink two liters per day, it’s also helpful to add a pinch of salt to the water itself; this ensures your electrolytes will stay balanced throughout the day and will help you feel much better in general.




While implementing the tips above should be beneficial to your overall GI system, if you do experience any lingering issues in this area, then it is best to visit a medical professional in order to ascertain what might be happening. GI problems can be deeply uncomfortable, and impact your ability to enjoy life to its fullest, so don’t hesitate to seek further advice when required.



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Jeunesse: The Future of Well-being

Wendy Lewis and Randy Ray founded Jeunesse Global in 2009. Since its founding, the company has grown and now has 32 fully operational offices that are located throughout the world. The company invests in research for fat loss transfer, adult stem cell science, DNA repair, nutrigenomics, and telomere support. The company offers multilingual customer service, in-house programming, a global enrollment system, and a back office support team. The company has flourished because it has continued to provide consumers with a wide range of skin care products and nutritional supplements that increase vitality and overall well-being.

ZEN BODI

ZEN BODI features the ZEN Project 8 weight loss and management program. This program includes three phases that are Detox, Ignite, and Thrive. With this program, participants will learn how to monitor food portions and make healthy food choices to maintain a healthy weight. The program lasts for eight weeks, and it provides participants with healthy recipes and an active support group of program participants.

Instantly Ageless

Instantly Ageless is an effective micro cream that lasts for up to nine hours and starts to work in as little as two minutes after it is applied. The cream is an ideal way to treat forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, under eye bags, and hooded eyes.

M1ND

M1ND is a drink that helps individuals improve mental focus and memory. This product was inspired by Eastern medicine, and it contains CERA-Q. This ingredient is made from proteins that were taken from silkworm cocoons. The drink is a lemon meringue flavor that comes packed in a small and convenient package.

Reserve

Reserve is a drink that is made to enhance well-being. It is packed with powerful antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage. The drink is a sweet berry flavor and doesn't contain artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors. Reserve contains dark sweet cherry that is taken from the Caucasus Mountain region. These cherries contain ample amounts of anthocyanin glycosides that are known to effectively fight against oxidative stress. In addition, the drink also includes Concord grapes, acai berries, blueberries, green tea, grape seed extract, and more.

Naara

Narra is a skin care supplement that is offered as a drink, and it contains powerful anti-aging ingredients that include 5000 mg of TruMarine Collagen. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, TruMarine Collagen improved the appearance of the skin in under one month. The supplement also promotes the natural formation of collagen, minimizes pores and fine lines, and improves firmness and elasticity.

MonaVie Active

This supplemental drink is formulated to promote well-being. It has a potent blend of antioxidants that were derived from 19 fruits that include the acai berry. MonaVie Active contains an abundance of vitamin C that is essential for protecting the cells from free radical damage and oxidative stress. Some fruits that are included in this blend are apple, white grape, banana, prune, pear, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, and kiwi. In addition, this drink also includes a plant-based source of glucosamine, which is vegan-friendly and suitable for those with an allergy to shellfish.

Nevo

Nevo is the Jeunesse energy drink. The drink is available in four flavors that include peach mango, acai grape, mixed berry, and lemon ginger. The drink contains green tea, guarana, and Yerba Mate. In addition, the drink also includes vitamin C, vitamin B6, Vitamin, B12, and more. The drink doesn't contain artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors, and it is only 50 calories per can.


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What's Holding You Back From Achieving Well-being?

At different points throughout your life, you’re going to feel great, then not so great. Just like you’ll have healthier periods than other. But all in all, it’s often best to aim for feeling great and being healthy most of the time. It’s only realistic to expect that you’re going to have some off days and down periods. But it’s way more important to find yourself on the best possible track in life, so that your well-being is cared for the majority of the time. If you find that you’re making life choices that are affecting your health and well-being, then it may be time to take a step back and work on that.

Here are five different things that you could find are holding you back right now.

1. Your Job

First of all, there’s work. Now, for most of us, work can be the main catalyst for stress and that really is only a natural thing. If you think that you’re more stressed than you should be right now, first take a look at your career and workload. If you’re spending more time stressed out about work and getting things done than you are enjoying it, it’s time to make a change. Sometimes, you will need to change careers or company, but sometimes you may just need to balance out your busy day job with more downtime outside of work.

2. Toxic Relationships

From here, if you find that you’re unhappy in your relationship, then it’s also time to do something about it. There are lots of different signs that you’re in a toxic relationship as https://www.prevention.com can show you. If you think that this sounds like your relationship, or any relationship that you have, it may be time to walk away. If it’s breaking you down mentally and physically, it will be the best for you in the long run.

3. A Bad Lifestyle

From here, if you know that you are living unhealthily, then it could be time to start making a change to your habits too. If you’re drinking too much, suffering from addiction, not sleeping, or just eating junk all of the time, it will impact on your overall well-being. So make the right decision today to benefit your health in the future.

4. Embarrassing Health Problems

Then, there are health problems themselves. And getting the flu can be annoying, but if you’re dealing with embarrassing health problems, then you need to get a specialist, such as https://www.urologygeorgia.com, to correct them for you. It’s so important that you can deal with poor health, even if you’re embarrassed, if you want to improve your well-being.

5. YOU

But have you ever thought that it could be you yourself that’s in the way of you living a happy and healthy life? Sometimes, we can’t even see that we’re the problem! If you’re making poor choices over and over again, if you’re not taking control of your life, if you’re thinking negatively all of the time - something's got to give. It’s hard and it will take time, but once you decide that you want to make a change and you want to be happy and healthy, then taking steps in the right direction could really turn things around for you.


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Health Hacks That Will Keep You Happy & Fulfilled

You have to make sure you do as much as you can to improve your health on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, you only get one life, and you need to make sure you are living it in the best way you possibly can. There are a lot of things that need to be done in order to help you keep your life as healthy and fulfilled as possible. There are plenty of things you can do to help you achieve this, and being happier with who you are is so important.

If you can live a healthier, happier life, this is going to improve things for you in the future. There is a lot you can do that will help you to improve and enhance your well-being, and focusing on boosting health and fitness is the best way of working toward a healthy and serene life. These are some of the best hacks you can use that are going to help you achieve this as much as possible.

Improve Your Mental Health

So many people overlook the need to improve and enhance their mental health, but these days that is something that matters more than ever. There are a lot of things you need to think about when it comes to improving your mental health, and you have so much you can do that will help you get the most out of life. Therapy is a great way to do this! Talking with a professional can help you face your mental health issues head-on, and defeat them.

Go Greener

You might not have given much thought to it, but you will actually find that going greener in your life can be one of the best ways of ensuring you are healthier and happier. Embracing eco-living provides a healthier home environment, cleaner air, and fresher food, and these are all things that can go a long way to improving your health and making you more fulfilled and satisfied.

Seek Treatment for Ailments

You have to make sure you seek treatment for any ailments you might have and get them sorted as soon as you can. There is a lot you need to consider here, and you need to make sure you are focused on improving and enhancing your well-being. There are a lot of issues that can make your life uncomfortable or difficult, and seeking treatment for conditions like tinnitus, acne, muscle sprains, and others can keep you much in a much positive mood.

Beat Your Addictions

So many people face addictions in their lives, and there are things that need to happen if you are going to battle and beat your addictions. Whether it’s smoking, drinking, drugs, or some other vice, these addictions can adversely affect your health, and making improvements in this area can be done with the help of a professional.

 

You can do a lot to become a more healthy and happy individual, and the way you approach life can have such a huge impact. Make sure you focus on doing what you can to improve and enhance your life. Being happy and healthy is the way to live the best life you possibly can.


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