When you feel any symptom such as pain, dizziness, numbness, nausea, or fatigue, it is usually your body telling you something. Maybe you shouldn’t do that, or at least not that way. No, its’ not that you are getting older.
You may feel that as you age, you should be getting wiser about the things that aggravate your back or other area of your body. Sometimes it’s easy, like if it helps to rub it or put ice on it, do that. If it hurts to sit in a chair with no back support or to lift heavy objects, stop doing that.
However, frequently, it’s not so obvious. Imagine if you started feeling a little pain in the back months ago and it gradually got worse until it became unbearable lately. You may not even remember what started it. Perhaps it was a new pair of shoes, or a slight fall you had before it all started. Maybe you fell asleep on the couch, or lifted something that didn’t seem too heavy but started to bother you after a few days. One of the greatest, healthy habits of all time is something that many people stop doing. It usually doesn’t cause any pain when you first stop it, but soon leads to much more pain. That is, regular exercise. Remember its designed to be preventative. It helps stop the aggravation in your joints and muscles by keeping them well toned. The day you stop, this benefit gradually fades until you no longer have protection and can easily develop pain.
Do you find yourself getting a little restless after sitting for an hour or more? Listen to your body, and get up at least once per hour, preferably every 30 minutes. This will keep your muscles better toned, help with circulation, and even keep you more mentally alert. If you just get up to do a simple stretch may suffice, or you could get a cup of tea, walk to the end of the room and back, or make a call on your cell. You don’t have to do much, just be sure to get up frequently.
Do you find stomach pain after eating chili? Maybe this is a food you should avoid or at least limit the portion size. Do you notice headaches when you drink wine? Maybe this would be a good thing to quit. Do you ever notice back pain after walking in flip flops? Be sure to wear a shoe with more support for your arches.
Listen to your body. It knows what you need and is always trying to tell you. If you do find yourself in pain, then calling your Chiropractor may be a good idea.