No one likes the regular aches and pains that plague everyday life, be it throbbing temples to a persistent sore back. Whatever your particular ache, it’s certainly an unwelcome companion in your life. For many, visiting an Oshawa massage therapy clinic is on the table for dealing with those aches and pains, but what do you do with smaller, more common aches? While most people might tend to reach for familiar remedies in those cases, they aren’t always viable in the moment. Some of the most effective solutions are ones we don’t normally consider. Rather than limit yourself to masking discomfort (which is how most of these common remedies usually work), incorporating small, mindful habits into your routine can make a more substantial difference with your pain and make life a little more comfortable. These simple adjustments target the source of the pain, offering a more targeted and effective solution for those unwanted aches and pains. Here are five solutions you may not have known you needed to try in the first place.
1. Prioritise Magnesium-Rich Foods
Unbeknownst to many, magnesium can serve as a natural muscle relaxant. Tense muscles (particularly those in the neck and upper back) contribute to both tension headaches and backaches. Adding magnesium-rich foods to your diet helps give your body a key mineral for muscle function and minimizes the cause of those particular aches. Incorporate dark leafy greens (such as spinach, nuts like almonds, and various seeds) into your meals. Alternatively, a handful of pumpkin seeds or a square of dark chocolate are other simple ways to boost your intake (and give yourself a treat from time to time while you’re at it).
2. Practise Strategic Hydration
The most health-conscious of us know to drink water regularly for their health, but how and when you hydrate matters. Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches, and if you’re prone to them, dehydration might be the culprit. Make a habit of starting your day with a 500-millilitre glass of water; you lose a significant amount of water while sleeping, and this early drink helps make up for the loss first thing in the morning. Throughout the day, keep a water bottle nearby and sip consistently to ensure you get enough water as the day goes on. Consider caffeine-free herbal teas (such as peppermint or ginger), which also contribute to your fluid intake while offering soothing properties. These healthy teas also offer a more flavourful way to stay hydrated and keep headaches at bay if regular water sounds a little too plain for your palate.
3. Befriend a Tennis Ball
While treatments like yoga classes in Toronto go a long way toward preventing muscle pain, what do you do when pain strikes suddenly? Having the right tools on hand to address that pain and tension is invaluable for getting relief. But did you know that a tennis ball is actually an effective tool for doing just that? Using a tennis ball is a way to apply deep pressure to trigger points and reach those hard-to-reach muscles that might be the underlying cause of your aches.
For your back, place the ball between your back and a wall, then gently roll your body over it. Be sure to pause on tender spots. For tension headaches, lie on the floor and place the ball under the base of your skull to gently release tense neck muscles at their source. These techniques can release tension in the muscles causing your pain, and offer relief that might be hard to achieve otherwise.
4. Conduct a Personal Ergonomic Audit
You might have made some investments to create a more ergonomic work environment (like acquiring a more comfortable and supportive chair, for instance), but what about the rest of your day? Poor posture is a common contributor to bodily strain. Analyse your common positions: how you sit on the sofa, stand at the kitchen counter, or drive your car. Is your spine getting adequate support at those times? Small adjustments (such as using a cushion for back support or raising your phone to eye level) can go some way to preventing the cumulative stress that leads to pain, and improve your overall posture throughout all your daily activities at the same time.
5. Embrace a Cool Foot Soak
This may seem odd for a headache, but a cool foot bath can offer some surprising relief. The principle involves drawing blood flow away from your head and toward your feet, which can alleviate some of the throbbing pressure. Simply fill a basin with cool water and soak your feet for ten to fifteen minutes. If you wish to make the experience a little more sensual, you can also add a few drops of peppermint essential oil for an extra cooling and calming sensation. With this technique, you give yourself a simple yet effective practice for when a headache strikes.
Managing persistent headaches and backaches doesn’t always require complex solutions, and while a visit to a clinic like The Calm on Dundas can be a great treat, you can deal with smaller aches and pains on your own. With a little outside-the-box thinking, you can take more effective and targeted steps to combat any persistent discomfort you may have. Integrating these practices into your life helps you more effectively address the root causes of your discomfort and paves the way to more pain-free days in your life. The most profound changes for your health and well-being can often spring from small, mindful adjustments just like these that you might not have thought to try before.
