THE BEGINNING: I had this problem a little over 2 years ago. One day, the dry, cracked and painful skin was bleeding and I had to use first aid tape to feel some relief.
REACTION FROM PEOPLE: This turned out to be an interesting day as I had to attend a gathering that evening. As I entered the room, full of people, I felt the warmth and had to take my jacket off. As I did that, a couple of people looked at my elbow and said, "you too"!!
I thought that they were making fun of me, but then they showed their elbows - same things and about the same kind of damage. One of them even had first aid tape to cover it, just the same as me. I felt better after that, as I was not the only one suffering from this condition.
Later in the week, I met another person with same elbow issues, but he did recommend using Castor oil as he had been helped by it. I did not try Castor oil because I did not want it to rub off on my shirt.
MY OBSERVATIONS: I had to find some other, easier way to correct my problem. This caused me to analyze our sitting postures. Then I noticed something that we all had in common, we all slouched down on the sofa and put weight on the elbow that was giving problem. This was not isolated to the sofa but to working on computer also as we all rested that one arm on the table mostly using elbow to balance the arm and do certain things.
MY REACTION: I thought that it won't hurt just to try to change my sitting posture, but it took me a couple of days to change my habit and I was able to change my sitting posture. The strangest thing happened to me as in these 2 days my elbow was almost healed, without any first aid tape, any medication or use of some ointment.
REACTION FROM OTHERS: Even now, I meet people with elbow problems and when I try to mention this change of posture to correct this problem, they simply smile and look at me as if I am from some strange world. Well, I took the chance and it worked, and most of all, no money was spent, and the problem was solved for good. I am sure, there are people like me, who will go out of the general thinking paradigm, to try improving their posture and most likely receive similar result.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Pain in Feet, Ankles and Knees
THE BEGINNING: When a person is out of shape, he or she is dealing with numerous health problems. Sometimes these minor problems can seem major and if they are not looked at in the early stages, then they can translate into serious problems. The pain in ankle and knee joints can become arthritis and can become serious.
LIMITED HELP FROM GADGETS: There may be numerous reasons for these problems to occur but there is help available. A few years ago, I had all of these problems, and each day I had to deal with foot pain and to correct it I tried flat sole shoes, shoes with slight heals, extra padding and support, but the problem continued to persist. I felt slightly better but the pain and stiffness was still there. With the aching feet, my knees and ankles also showed signs of pain and these areas were very sensitive to touch.
MY EXPERIMENTS AND SIDE-EFFECTS: I was doing a few exercise experiments for some other condition and one day I realized that all of these problems were completely cured, as I could run, jump and do thousand and one things but the pain and stiffness and sensitivity, were gone for good. I no longer got charlie horse, deep pain in the ball of the heel, the arches of the feet. All of my foot problems were gone for good.
YOGA AND REFLEXOLOGY WORKED FOR ME: I started to figure out what had caused all this improvement, and it turned out that pressing in the hollow to the front of and toward the lower point of the ankle joint ball for a minute or two, a few times a day, helped greatly with the ankle problems. The one thing that solved all of the foot, ankle and knee problems turned out to be a yoga asana (yoga pose). In the beginning I was unable to do it even for a few seconds and had to use some help of a chair, but I kept on trying each time I had a chance. I would try it while watching television or listening to the music. In the beginning this yoga pose was extremely difficult and the pain was unbearable, but I kept on trying. It took me about a month and by then, I was able to do it for almost a couple of minutes.
The yoga pose is called Veer Asana or the Hero Pose. You can search for Hero Pose on Google and you will find numerous photos of this. I will warn you again that the pose will be very painful and your feet, ankles, legs and the knees will show tremendous pain. Don't hesitate and grab a chair or sofa or anything to help with this pose in the beginning, and continue trying. Once you are able to do it for about 15 seconds, try moving away from the chair and any other help.
If you can, increase the time to 2 minutes and sit in this position at least twice daily, you will notice amazing improvement in all of the above mentioned areas. Remember, it is just a way of sitting, but because we have never done it, therefore we must stretch the ligaments and muscles and build some strength. Any stretching improves blood circulation, which helps healing. This is the pose Japanese people use for meditation.
The 2 minutes of practice used to cause throbbing in my feet, ankles and knees and the pain in my knees used to become stronger and it took a few minutes of just sitting or lying down before I was able to walk around easily. To minimize this pain, I used to sit in Sukh Asana for a few minutes and tried to stretch my feet in other directions by sitting in the Lotus Pose for a few seconds.
The important point is, do whatever is necessary to minimize the pain after sitting in the Hero Pose - if it feels good to lie down, then do it.
MY THOUGHTS: People with serious joint pains and arthritis should consult their family physician before attempting the sitting pose. the pose causes the upper side of feet to stretch and help form a curve in the soles. The pain is likely the result of top muscles and ligaments shrinking due to lack of exercise and the soles became weaker as the time went by, causing flat feet. Perhaps there are technical explanations for this to happen but this was my thinking. My body's natural safety mechanism worked perfectly as I was unable to sit for even 2 seconds in the beginning. As the top of my feet started to get flexible, the problems of flat foot disappeared.
LIMITED HELP FROM GADGETS: There may be numerous reasons for these problems to occur but there is help available. A few years ago, I had all of these problems, and each day I had to deal with foot pain and to correct it I tried flat sole shoes, shoes with slight heals, extra padding and support, but the problem continued to persist. I felt slightly better but the pain and stiffness was still there. With the aching feet, my knees and ankles also showed signs of pain and these areas were very sensitive to touch.
MY EXPERIMENTS AND SIDE-EFFECTS: I was doing a few exercise experiments for some other condition and one day I realized that all of these problems were completely cured, as I could run, jump and do thousand and one things but the pain and stiffness and sensitivity, were gone for good. I no longer got charlie horse, deep pain in the ball of the heel, the arches of the feet. All of my foot problems were gone for good.
YOGA AND REFLEXOLOGY WORKED FOR ME: I started to figure out what had caused all this improvement, and it turned out that pressing in the hollow to the front of and toward the lower point of the ankle joint ball for a minute or two, a few times a day, helped greatly with the ankle problems. The one thing that solved all of the foot, ankle and knee problems turned out to be a yoga asana (yoga pose). In the beginning I was unable to do it even for a few seconds and had to use some help of a chair, but I kept on trying each time I had a chance. I would try it while watching television or listening to the music. In the beginning this yoga pose was extremely difficult and the pain was unbearable, but I kept on trying. It took me about a month and by then, I was able to do it for almost a couple of minutes.
The yoga pose is called Veer Asana or the Hero Pose. You can search for Hero Pose on Google and you will find numerous photos of this. I will warn you again that the pose will be very painful and your feet, ankles, legs and the knees will show tremendous pain. Don't hesitate and grab a chair or sofa or anything to help with this pose in the beginning, and continue trying. Once you are able to do it for about 15 seconds, try moving away from the chair and any other help.
If you can, increase the time to 2 minutes and sit in this position at least twice daily, you will notice amazing improvement in all of the above mentioned areas. Remember, it is just a way of sitting, but because we have never done it, therefore we must stretch the ligaments and muscles and build some strength. Any stretching improves blood circulation, which helps healing. This is the pose Japanese people use for meditation.
The 2 minutes of practice used to cause throbbing in my feet, ankles and knees and the pain in my knees used to become stronger and it took a few minutes of just sitting or lying down before I was able to walk around easily. To minimize this pain, I used to sit in Sukh Asana for a few minutes and tried to stretch my feet in other directions by sitting in the Lotus Pose for a few seconds.
The important point is, do whatever is necessary to minimize the pain after sitting in the Hero Pose - if it feels good to lie down, then do it.
MY THOUGHTS: People with serious joint pains and arthritis should consult their family physician before attempting the sitting pose. the pose causes the upper side of feet to stretch and help form a curve in the soles. The pain is likely the result of top muscles and ligaments shrinking due to lack of exercise and the soles became weaker as the time went by, causing flat feet. Perhaps there are technical explanations for this to happen but this was my thinking. My body's natural safety mechanism worked perfectly as I was unable to sit for even 2 seconds in the beginning. As the top of my feet started to get flexible, the problems of flat foot disappeared.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Avoid stiff neck and Increase energy
A COMMON PROBLEM: Most of us have had the stiff neck at least a few times. Some people get stiff neck more often than others. A friend used to come downstairs into the kitchen area quietly so that he is not disturbing his wife and she would almost always get a stiff neck just by turning her head. This stiffness lasts for a few days and in some cases, it can lead to strep-throat or hay-fever.
IT WAS A NUISANCE FOR ME: I, myself, has had this problem numerous times in the past. Stiff neck is usually the result of stress buildup in the shoulder blades and the neck itself. Most important thing to remember - if you have the stiff neck currently, then rest it out and let it recover. In my case, any exercise usually made it worse. When the neck is back to normal and the stiffness is gone, then do the following exercises for a few days.
WHAT HELPED ME: I started doing neck exercises, including neck rolls to left and then to right. A few times is fine but do not force it and be gentle. The idea is to get the blood circulation started. The neck exercises should be followed by shoulder lifts to release stress in the shoulder blades. And finally rub the back of the neck with left or right hand for at least 30 times. This rubbing motion is from left to right and right to left and you must use firm pressure to get some feeling of warmth. The most important thing in the beginning for me was to keep my neck relaxed.
A few days of these few things will make you smile as the neck will remain stiffness free. Shoulder lifts should be done a few times a day along with some rubbing of the neck. Slowly increase the neck exercises - I mean, do 5 repetitions at a time but start doing it more often.
Rubbing the back of my neck helped increase my energy level and it cut down on the fatigue. Try it for a few days and see how long it takes to cure the stiff neck for good. It is always a good idea to continue these exercises once in a while after the neck has recovered.
Massaging the back of neck also helps in headaches.
IT WAS A NUISANCE FOR ME: I, myself, has had this problem numerous times in the past. Stiff neck is usually the result of stress buildup in the shoulder blades and the neck itself. Most important thing to remember - if you have the stiff neck currently, then rest it out and let it recover. In my case, any exercise usually made it worse. When the neck is back to normal and the stiffness is gone, then do the following exercises for a few days.
WHAT HELPED ME: I started doing neck exercises, including neck rolls to left and then to right. A few times is fine but do not force it and be gentle. The idea is to get the blood circulation started. The neck exercises should be followed by shoulder lifts to release stress in the shoulder blades. And finally rub the back of the neck with left or right hand for at least 30 times. This rubbing motion is from left to right and right to left and you must use firm pressure to get some feeling of warmth. The most important thing in the beginning for me was to keep my neck relaxed.
A few days of these few things will make you smile as the neck will remain stiffness free. Shoulder lifts should be done a few times a day along with some rubbing of the neck. Slowly increase the neck exercises - I mean, do 5 repetitions at a time but start doing it more often.
Rubbing the back of my neck helped increase my energy level and it cut down on the fatigue. Try it for a few days and see how long it takes to cure the stiff neck for good. It is always a good idea to continue these exercises once in a while after the neck has recovered.
Massaging the back of neck also helps in headaches.
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