5 Ways To Reduce Pain By Staying Active
It may feel like you’re on a never-ending hamster wheel in your hectic life, requiring you to accomplish as much as possible. However, it is critical for everyone to realize what is and is not attainable through simple effort. You must recognize that your willpower has limits! It’s difficult enough to get through your to-do list in the limited hours you have in the day without being exhausted. Instead, you’ll need to use methods and tips to stay interested, motivated, and active in your quest to complete everything – since no one can do it all alone!
Libra OT PLLC has come up with a simple list of five ways to stay active and involved throughout the day as you’re juggling your various tasks and responsibilities. If chronic pain keeps you from performing your job or enjoying your hobbies, give our skilled occupational therapists a call today to request an appointment!
Get up and get moving!
Tip #1: Finish those chores.
In addition to keeping you active, cleaning your house engages a range of muscle groups. Every step you take and inch you vacuum contributes to your fitness. Squeeze your glutes and abdominal muscles as you trail from room to room for increased effect.
If you notice that your hands, shoulders, or upper extremities are bothering you so much to the point you cannot complete chores, contact our office now to learn how our occupational and hand therapists can assist you. Whether you’re trying to stay active and healthy or simply want to enjoy life more, we’ll be more than pleased to help you get started on the path to better health and fitness!
Tip #2: Use tools to help keep yourself on track.
Numerous products are available that will motivate, inspire, and track your physical activity. According to research, using such goods can help you increase your level of exercise. The key to success is to set daily, weekly, or monthly goals that can be easily tracked in the application, as well as to stick to consistent techniques like:
- Write your goals down. A common goal that people set for themselves is 10,000 steps per day. However, it is worth checking with a medical professional to avoid overextending yourself.
- Using the tool every single day. Consistency creates habits, which by nature are notoriously difficult to break!
- Engaging in enjoyable activities. It is extremely helpful to choose a tracker based on the activities you enjoy. If you are doing something that interests you, it will be easier to maintain over time.
- Encouraging your friends and family to use the tool with you. Many trackers have interactive features that allow you to measure your progress against someone else’s. Most of us also benefit from having a workout buddy, so this informal comparison can serve as an effective motivator. Plus, you’ll have someone to hold you accountable for reaching your goals.
Tip #3: Get to bed at a reasonable hour.
We’ve all heard it before: “You need a good night’s sleep to perform your best.” But do we stay true to this? For most of us, the answer is “no,” whether we mean to or not.
Sleep is unquestionably crucial for the body’s optimal functioning; nonetheless, around one-third of the US population suffers from sleep problems!
Did you know that occupational therapy can assist you in getting better sleep, which will allow you to be more active during your day? Pain modulation, tissue repair, cognitive functioning, and cardiovascular health are all areas in which occupational therapists are trained to help improve. An occupational therapist can also offer advice on how to combine sleep health with general well-being!
Tip #4: Take Fido to the park.
A dog is indeed a man’s best friend – and your dog likely won’t back down from the opportunity to be your exercise companion. The arrival of a new pet, particularly a dog, is an effective way to get owners moving. Physical activity is necessary for a dog, even simply a short walk every day. This can help owners remain accountable for getting their daily exercise in! You’ll be surprised at how far you’re willing to walk around the neighborhood when your dog is involved – who can bear to go home when your furry friend is enjoying themselves so much?
Tip #5: Make it your mission to reduce unnecessary pain.
One of the most common reasons people lose their active lifestyle is pain. Whether it’s a pain you’ve been experiencing for some time, or the simple threat of pain occurring, it has proven enough to slow people down or sit them out altogether.
According to the National Institutes of Health, most Americans experience chronic pain. An estimated 25.3 million adults reported pain every day for the preceding three months in a 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Nearly 40 million adults acknowledge suffering from severe pain, which is also a predictor of other health concerns.
Occupational therapists are extremely helpful and knowledgeable professionals who specialize in helping people maintain their daily routines and find relief from their chronic pain.
Occupational therapy and hand therapy are straightforward approaches to manage or even totally remove discomfort.
You can achieve pain relief through hands-on therapy from a qualified therapist or specialist therapies such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Treatments such as occupational and hand therapy have also been shown to improve muscle and joint function, allowing you to live a more active lifestyle!
Request an appointment now
If pain and discomfort prevent you from enjoying your life to the fullest, know that help is available here. We employ the most qualified and skilled occupational therapists to help you discover new ways to do what you enjoy without pain. Our hand therapists also specialize in pain management for upper extremity conditions. They would be happy to work with you on a treatment plan geared towards your utmost wellbeing.
Request an appointment today!