BalanceOctober2016 - 45

H O L I STI C HEA LTH FIND YOUR BALA NC E As part of an overall pain management regime, the following have been shown to help treat acute and chronic pain: ❶ P SYCHOLO GY ❸ PHYSICAL CONDITION ❷ Stay positive: Negative emotions are associated with pain that is more disabling. Daily meditation can help refocus the mind towards a more positive state and create some distance from thoughts. MUS I C Bach pain: Listening to classical music has a profound impact on the brain. In 2011, researchers at York University found that listening to the complex melodies of Bach or Mozart is more effective at reducing pain levels than many other sorts of music. Keep moving: Creating a strong core will help alleviate lower and mid back pain. Movement helps to reduce pain by 'unfreezing' the body, allowing the pockets of lactic acid accumulating in the myofascial layer to break down and release stored pain. ❹ H Y D R ATI ON Light relief: Carrying too much weight, puts pressure on the skeletal system, leading to pain. Drinking more water will help discharge toxins that add to pain and reduce inflammation in the body. Down a bit... to the left a bit... ahh that works a treat! muscle groups of the back, increasing pain. Negative memories get trapped in the biggest muscle groups in the body - mainly the neck, shoulders and back - and when untreated, they lead to pain. You may then tense your back muscles, which can, in turn, trigger lower back pain. Positive thoughts, on the other hand, release the good endorphins oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, which have a Meditation can help everything - even pain, to a point Take the stairs instead of the lift to keep moving. ❺ N U TR I TI ON Pain release: Eliminating sugar from your diet will also lead to a reduction in pain. Following an anti-inflammatory diet involves getting your omega-3s, which work similarly to aspirin. Introduce nuts, cold-water fish, avocados and whole grains into your diet. Turmeric is also effective for treating inflammation. healing effect on the mind and body, keeping the muscles in a relaxed state and reducing pain. A BETTER OPTION Indeed, there is now plenty of research to suggest the answer to chronic pain lies not with drugs, but inside our brains through changing our expectations about pain. There has never been a greater need or time for the holistic health approach. B Pain-Free: Easy Steps To A Happier Healthier You by Sophia Kupse is out now on Amazon (paperback £9.99), themusclewhisperer.co.uk ❻ LT THE R A PY BACK TO L IFE Research shows rest may not be the best treatment for back pain. Remaining active is the way to help prevent the pain recurring. October 2016 BALANCE An integrated approach: This specialised treatment involves using volcanic heat to discharge toxins, ice marble to reset muscle memory and then manipulation to restore oxygenated blood and nutrients to the muscles. Also, identifying what negative thoughts the mind is going back to, will help prevent the ongoing creation of pain. 45 http://themusclewhisperer.co.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceOctober2016