What's The Cost of Pain Management For You?

Chronic pain is a very real problem in America.  Whether it’s due to injury, disease or a sedentary lifestyle, it has taken over the lives of so many and the amount spent every year on pain medication is staggering.  

In 2011, 307 billion dollars was spent on prescription medication.  While cancer medications and antidepressants top the charts, pain killers aren’t far behind.  In early 2011 studies showed that the United States consumes 80% of the world opioids (the most common of which is Vicodin.)   So the question stands; are Americans really managing their chronic pain or are there better ways?

It is suggested that a healthy lifestyle, including an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise and the use of natural pain relievers like Sore No More can manage chronic pain more effectively than prescription pain medications.  We can help you out!

If you haven’t already liked us on Facebook, doing so will give you access to helpful articles from our staff and from around the web about exercise, coping with chronic pain and general health and wellness. Send an email to snmmoab@gmail.com to be added to our customer newsletter mailing list for more great information and monthly deals on Sore No More!

Remember, here at Sore No More, our biggest goal is to help YOU live a pain free life!

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*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

7 Tips to Help Relieve Wrist Pain

 In a society where computers are a means for work, communication and play many suffer from chronic wrist pain.  Sore No More is great for relieving carpal tunnel or other wrist related pain, but to pack an extra punch you can also try the following;

• Apply Sore No More to your wrists and then put on wrist braces.  While the braces keep your wrists straight, relieving nerve pressure, the Sore No More will sooth aches and pains.
• Reorganize your computer station so it’s ergonomically correct.  
• Before you go to bed at night devote 10 minutes to icing your wrists. (A good way to do this is to fill a pitcher with ice and water and submerge your arm in it.)  
• Stretch your wrists using stretches like the ones found here. Do these stretches at least a couple of times per day to keep your wrists mobile and limber.
• Next time you get a massage ask your therapist to pay extra attention to your hands, causing pain and tingling.  A massage therapist can work on relaxing those muscles.
• Find out if your chiropractor does extremity adjustments and ask them to adjust your wrists.
• Rest.  It’s easy to get caught up spending hours on the computer, or doing any repetitive task with your hands/wrists.  Give yourself a day off and indulge in other activities so that your wrists have a chance to rest.

With these tips and a little help from Sore No More wrist pain from working, gaming, crocheting, or even spending a little too much time on Facebook can become a thing of the past!

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Can Chocolate Sooth Your Pain?

Chocolate is a well loved treat and thus,there are many beliefs attached to it.

Chocolate is good for your heart.  Chocolates high in antioxidants.  Chocolate makes you break out.  Chocolate will make you gain weight.   Chocolate is aphrodisiac.

Some of these are well founded and some are not. However, research has indicated that chocolate may actually help with pain!  

This article discusses findings that cocoa may be beneficial to those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

“Certain foods, such as chocolate or chili peppers, can also lead to enhanced secretion of endorphins.” This article discusses the correlation between endorphins (like those released while eating chocolate) and a decrease in pain.

Learn about many of the uses of chocolate and cocoa beans over time, including to relieve pain here.

So pour a cup of tea, slather some Sore No More on the spots that bug you and indulge in some quality chocolate (don’t forget, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and is better for you than its milk counterpart).  After all, it can’t hurt!


*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Keeping your Kids Pain Free: Backpack Edition

It’s back to school season again and your kids are hauling their books all over the place in backpacks or book bags that are often carelessly slung over one shoulder.   

So why does this matter?

Poor body mechanics while carrying heavy bags like backpacks can cause long term problems and pain in your kids.  Here are a few helpful tips to keep them pain free.

• Kids should carry no more than 15% of their body weight in their backpack.  If their pack weighs more than that, it’s time to re-evaluate what they’re carrying around.
• The backpack should be worn with the straps over both shoulders, and snug to the body so the weight rests on the back/shoulders rather than pulling the shoulders back and down.
• Backpacks should have well padded backs and shoulder straps to protect the spine and shoulders.
• Backpacks should be loaded so that the heavier weight (books) are closer to the spine as opposed to toward the outside of the backpack.  They should be loaded snugly so the load doesn’t move much while being carried.
• If your child is exhibiting postural or pain related problems in their back, shoulders or neck consider getting them a roll-along backpack that they can pull instead of carry on their back.
• Take your child to a chiropractor if you suspect they’re developing back and neck problems.  Caught early on, many musculoskeletal problems can be remedied before they reach adulthood

While youth are more resilient than adults, thanks to the fact that they’re still growing, consistent strain placed on the spinal column can lead to many problems later in life, so it’s important that they learn good habits early on.

Sore No More is all natural and safe for your school-aged children, provided that they don’t get it in their eyes or mouths.   If they’re suffering from back pack related pain, consider rubbing some sore no more on their shoulders and low back before they go to bed at night to keep them pain free as they sleep.



*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Sciatica

Sciatica is an umbrella term for pain, weakness or numbness caused by compression or injury of the Sciatic Nerve.

A variety of ailments can contribute to Sciatica including pelvic damage, slipped discs, Piriformis Syndrome (in which the Piriformis muscle exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve) or even tumors.

Sciatic pain can be naturally relieved through massage, chiropractic care or at home exercises (depending on what condition is causing the pain.)

Check out this website for some exercises to help relieve Sciatic pain;

Don’t forget... Sore No More can also help with your Sciatic pain!

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Farmer's Market Healing

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors and one of the best ways to do that is by visiting your local farmer’s market.  Here on the Sore No More blog we’ve discussed the anti-inflammatory diet before.  That is- eating to decrease inflammation and thus, to decrease pain.  Fruits and veggies are vital to the anti-inflammatory diet and today we’ll discuss 5 things you can pick up at your local farmer’s market that will help you live a healthier, happier life!

1.  Blueberries.  These delicious little fruits complement many breakfast meals nicely and make a great addition to smoothies.  Plus, they’re chock full of antioxidants.  It’s said that you should eat every color of fruit/veggie during the day, why not get blue out of the way with these simple, delightful treats?

2.  Spinach.  Spinach is such a versatile veggie.  It can add extra nutritional value to smoothies, complement a nice quiche, or provide a green base to a gourmet salad. With B vitamins, iron, and calcium it’s the perfect bone and joint nourishing leafy green.

3.  Tomatoes. These bright red ‘veggies’ are technically fruits and have amazing cancer-combating qualities.  Pick up a few and enjoy them plain or think of creative ways to add them to all of your favorite dishes!

4.  Broccoli.  Those ‘little trees’ are a wonder vegetable. High in Vitamin C, Folic acid and antioxidants, they can help you fight cancer, beat the common cold and promote healthy tissue growth!

5.  Onions.  Not just to flavor your food! Onions are amazing at boosting your immune system! So keep them in mind next time you feel like you could use a little extra healthy fuel.

While all of the listed fruits and veggies are amazing for your health remember that the most important part of a health and anti-inflammatory diet is fresh produce and variety, so on your next trip to the market indulge in something you haven’t tried before, collect ingredients for a new recipe, and accept the delicious samples that may be offered to you!

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Happy Feet, Healthy Body?

Most of us don’t spend a lot of time focusing on our feet if they’re not giving us any real problems.  Sure, if you’ve been standing all day you might notice some aching, but if you’re having hip pain, you’re not likely to go looking to your feet for an answer.

You should though!

Our feet are our foundation, they get us from place to place and allow us to stay upright.  Through a series of bones, tendons and muscles they are connected to the entirety of our body.  Thus, when structural problems arise in the foot, it can cause pain in the knees, hips, back and even neck and shoulders!

Visiting a podiatrist and/or a chiropractor can give you more insight to your foot health.  They can evaluate how well balanced your feet are, how much your arch has fallen (if it has, and most people have some loss of arch as they age.), and what methods would be best to increase your foot health.  (Including orthotics, foot exercises, better shoe types, etc.)

So next time you’re in pain and don’t know why, consider getting your feet checked out!  Until then, apply a bit of Sore No More to your problem areas to sooth that pain away.

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Cardiovascular Exercise Is Important to Health

Many avoid exercise due to their chronic conditions and their pain level.  While this is certainly understandable, you're not doing your body any favors. While Sore No More can be your saving grace, there are still some things you can do to help your body help itself.  It's true that some exercises are not appropriate for certain conditions, but in most cases there is something you can do to get moving and get your heart rate up.

Let's discuss a few types of cardiovascular exercise, specifically. Cardiovascular exercises helps eliminate toxins from your body, burns calories, helps build muscle (which in turn will burn even MORE calories), maintain a healthy weight, and upholds the integrity of your immune system amongst other things.

Swimming
Pros: Weightless exercise is gentle on the joints.  Swimming at a moderate speed can burn approximately 300 calories per hour.
Not Recommended For:  Those with osteoporosis will benefit more from weight bearing exercises like walking.

Running
Pros:  Running is great for getting your heart rate up, improving circulation, which benefits all the systems in your body.  Plus, it burns nearly 500 calories per hour!
Not Recommended For: Those with knee weakness or pain.  Running is a high impact sport and can have negative repercussions.  Ask your doctor before using running as a primary source of cardiovascular exercise.

Dancing
Pros: Dancing is not only good for the body but it’s good for the mind and soul. It can be highly beneficial in relieving stress and improving mood.  The number of calories burned depends on the style of dancing you choose.
Not Recommended For: As with running, if you have any joint weakness, dancing may not be for you. However, with so many styles of dancing available, there is something for nearly everyone.

Walking
Pros: Walking is probably the most versatile form of cardio.  It tends to be good for just about everyone. The young, the old, and the pregnant.  It increases joint mobility, increases your heart rate gradually and provides a great opportunity to catch up with friends.  Walking a a moderate pace on a smooth surface burns about 170 calories per hour.
Not Recommended For:  Consult your doctor, walking is ‘recommended’ for most everyone, but your physician can tell you if there are any hazards in it for you.

Biking
Pros: Biking is great exercise that can double as transportation.  It gets your heart rate up quickly and keeps it up while toning the muscles in your legs. It can burn roughly 550 calories in an hour when going at a moderate pace.
Not Recommended For:  Depending on where you choose to go, biking can be a high impact sport that will also often put you in the vicinity of other bikers or motor vehicles.  Caution is advised, always where protective gear.  Those who have any bone weakness issues should consult their physician before beginning a cycling routine.  


Remember! Sore No More is good for pre and post exercise aches and pains.  After a great cardio work out, put a couple of tablespoons of Sore No More in your bath to wind down from the day and sooth your newly aching muscles. 

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Foods That Can Help You Feel Better Part I

We’ve discussed the correlation between food and pain here on the Sore No More blog before.  In this post we talked about how to combat inflammation through diet.    

Today we’re going to take a look at a few foods that might actually help decrease pain and increase the function of your body.

Leafy Green Veggies;

These are rich in calcium that is fantastic for building bone strength.  This is useful if you have a bone malady such as osteoarthritis, but strengthening bones can also help to combat musculo-skeletal ailments and will promote healing.

Oranges;

“By analysing the diets of over 25,000 individuals a team from the University of Manchester, UK found that those with beta-cryptoxanthin in their diet (found in oranges, apricots, nectarines, tangerines, papaya, peaches, plums, and watermelon) were less likely to develop painful inflammatory joint conditions1. The research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, said that as little as a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice was enough to make a difference. “  {Source}

(Did you know that orange peel extract is also an ingredient in Sore No More?)

Cayenne Pepper;

The active compound in cayenne pepper is Capsaicin, which you may recognize as being one of the active ingredients in Sore No More! But did you know it can actually help combat joint inflammation and improve circulation from inside your body as well? So if you enjoy spicy food, rest assured that you’re doing your aches and pains a favor.  

Enjoy some of these foods that are good for your body, inside and out and stay tuned for future segments about foods that can help rid you of pain!

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Posture Is A Plus

Click the picture for another great article on posture!

Good posture is key in how you present yourself to others.  It’s also important to your overall health.  Poor posture can lead to a variety of problems including;

-Change in appearance (slouching)
-Pain
-Fatigue


While it can sometimes seem unbelievably hard to correct your posture there are some exercises that can help you strengthen muscles that support good posture. Check out the following links for more information;

Five Stretches To Improve Posture
Improve Your ‘Hunched Over the PC’ Posture
3 Exercises To Improve Your Posture
Exercises to Improve Your Posture


Improving your posture can decrease back and neck pain, make you feel more confident and even ease your breathing, so give these exercises a try and see if they help improve your health! 

*Sore No More! is not a licensed physician. All information on this blog is researched by our staff and is subject to inaccuracies. No information found here should be used in the place of advice from your doctor. * Sore No More 150 East Center Street Moab, Utah 84532 Tel: (435) 259-5931 Toll Free: (800) 842-6622 www.sorenomore.com

Can Your Canine Combat Your Chronic Pain?

Xoloitzcuintle {image source}

Many of us have experienced the bond between human and animal.  A favorite canine companion from our childhood or that lovable house cat who’s purring lulls us to sleep at night.

Did you know that pets can also help with chronic pain?  They are found to be especially effective in those suffering from Fibromyalgia.

Interaction with animals can lower stress hormone levels in the body.  Many of those who suffer from Fibromyalgia have indicated that their pain worsens when they are experiencing anxiety, depression or just having a particularly stressful day.   Studies have found that humans whose dogs ‘gaze’ at them more often actually experience higher Oxytocin (the feel good hormone) levels.  So not only can pets decrease the level of negative hormones, they can increase the level of positive hormones!

That doesn’t even begin to cover the wonder of Xolos.   Xolos are a particular breed of dog that are used to help those who suffer from Fibromyalgia.  Dogs naturally have a higher body temperature than humans and Xolos, who have little to no hair are essentially used as living, breathing heating pads for those who are suffering from chronic pain.  

Find our more information about Xolos and how pets can help combat chronic pain at the following links.

Pet Relief
Paws For Comfort
The Healing Power of Pets

Sore No More supports natural health and wellness and it doesn’t get much more natural than having an animal companion who can combat your chronic pain!

Children With Chronic Pain

When you think of chronic pain, you probably think of adults with injuries or age related problems.  Maybe with an unpleasant condition that they’re forced to live with.   However, how often do we think of chronic pain in terms of children?


It is a sad fact that there are children who do suffer from chronic pain.   Some have sustained injuries, others have ailments that cause them pain.  Children can have a very difficult time dealing with chronic pain, especially when it interferes with school, sleep cycles and time with friends.  


These links will provide some information of children with chronic pain.

• Talk Therapy for Kids’ Pain: Better Than Pills?
  This Time magazine article talks about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how it can be used to help kids deal with their chronic pain.

• Conquering Chronic Pain In Children
  This article discusses the book ‘Conquering Your Child’s Chronic Pain’ and discusses how adults can help children with chronic pain.
  
• Managing Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents
  This article discusses child and adolescent pain in a medical light.

These article discuss the three most common types of chronic pain in children and teens; headaches, abdominal pain and musculoskeletal pain.  


Perhaps the most important thing to remember when you are interacting with a child with chronic pain is patience and empathy.  Anyone who has ever been in pain knows how frustrating it can be.  It is even more so for kids and teens who or of an age that is rarely associated with this type of pain.  Being supportive is vital to helping a child cope!

How Dehydration Makes You Hurt

The human body is more than 55% water.

Water is VITAL to most of the body’s functions.  So why are most of us not optimally hydrated?

How does dehydration affect your level of pain?   Dehydrated muscles won’t function as well as hydrated ones.  Hydration plays an important role in circulation which is vital to muscle movement.  Being poorly hydrated can results in more lengthy muscle soreness, as muscles try to heal themselves and can also contribute to muscle cramping.

Being dehydrated can also cause headaches.  Keep in mind next time you’ve got a headache after having a few cups of coffee and it might not be a caffeine headache, it might be a dehydration headache!

You should drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day.

• In example: If you way 150lbs, you should be drinking 75oz of water daily.  
• That’s 9.4 8oz glasses of water.   
• 8oz of water is equivalent to a measuring cup full of water.
• Most standard sized kitchen glasses are 16oz.

Next time you’re experiencing muscle pain or headaches, after you’ve applied your Sore No More, drink an extra glass of water to help your body function its best and stay pain free!

{Sources: One, Two, Three}

Explaining Chronic Pain To Your Friends and Family

The purpose of Sore No More is to help you manage your pain.   While many of our customers keep a tub on hand to sooth over-worked calves after a day of hiking or shoulders after a stressful day at the office, many also use it regularly to help them deal with their chronic pain.

Nearly everyone who has to live with chronic pain has experienced the affect it can have on relationships with others.  Whether you snapped at your kids or bailed on dinner with friends, it can be hard to express to those we love how pain impacts our lives.  

We want to help you manage your chronic pain above and beyond the topical qualities of our product.  The following is a list of links that will provide you with resources regarding how to explain your chronic pain to friends and family.  

• Chronic Pain Message Board Post - How to Explain Chronic Pain to a Four Year Old
• How Do You Explain Chronic Pain To Others
• Yahoo Answers- How Can Chronic Pain Be Explained to Those Who Don’t Suffer From It?
• “The Spoon Theory” How to explain a day in the life of someone who is chronically ill.

Remember that there is always help and support to be found online and there are MANY resources available to remind you that you’re not alone and to help you communicate to those around you.