5 Techniques to Prevent Physical Pain this Winter

It’s that time of year again, not only Christmas but finals, which can make many college students feel like walking zombies after too much last minute cramming and too little sleep. Heightened stress and minimal sleep around finals time can cause related back pain, neck pain and other physical problems. With all of this in mind, here are some tips you might pass on to your children or utilize yourself to prevent pain this winter.

1.  Stretching your Body:

Whether studying at the library, in a home living room, or somewhere else, be sure to apply the following ergonomically-friendly tips:

Align your back with the back of the office chair, and make a conscious effort to avoid slouching or leaning forward, which can be a bit difficult after hours upon hours of studying .Keep your arms flexed at a 75 to 90 degree angle at the elbows when studying at an office chair or desk, and make sure that your shoulders are straight Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees even with or slightly higher than the hips. If this proves difficult, use a footrest.

2.  Get Proper Sleep:

Folks with physical pain are especially susceptible to insomnia because insomnia can trigger chronic pain. There are few ways to improve your sleeping habits to prevent you from entering the cycle at all. First, go to bed only when you're actually tired. If you're already having a bad pain day and you know your pain is going to keep you awake, stay out of the bedroom until you're ready to crash.

3.  Massage and Osteopathy:

Emotional anxiety and physical stress can both take a huge toll on the body, but when you're prone to physical pain, their effects can be even worse. Both anxiety and stress cause your muscles to tighten, often in key areas like around your neck and shoulders. For some folks who have physical pain, the extra tightness, can trigger a pain attack, so if you find yourself getting stressed to damaging levels, it's imperative that you find ways to relieve as much of your stress as possible.

These two treatments helps in proper functioning of body during winter. Massage with warm oils can improve circulation of your blood and osteopathy can soothe your painful areas. Osteopathy in Ashford Kent is available in economical prices and with consultation.

4.  Cover up Properly:

Dress warmly and in layers. It’s important to keep the core body temperature warm. Keeping joints warm is also essential, along with surrounding muscles and ligaments. Gloves, scarves, warm boots, long johns even legwarmers protect your skin and joints from outdoor cold exposure. Dress for the changing weather. If it's going to be -7 degrees, and you are outside in electric cold, put some sweaters and jackets on.

5.  Apply Heat in Moderation:

Warm packs for cold joints hold a certain appeal. People love to use moist heat, heating pads and things like that. Doctors usually recommends10 to 20 minutes of heat to the affected body part. Patients with neuropathies – damaged nerves to the hands or feet– should use heat or ice packs for no more than 10 minutes at a time.