Fire and Ice

Most of us are familiar with the concept of using heat or ice to combat our aches and pains.   What if you don’t have a heating pad or an ice pack handy, though?  Here are some easy ways to get around that.

*Please note: Be sure to apply your Sore No More after heating or icing an area, as some of the ingredients can cause intense tingling, burning, or coldness when extreme temperatures are applied. *

Heat it Up!
Heat should be applied to loosen a muscle.  Say you’ve had a stressful day at the office and you have knots in your shoulders.  This would be a good time to apply heat.

• Make your own heat pack: Fill a (clean) sock with uncooked rice or beans and then tie a knot at the open end.  Microwave for 1 minute, or until warm.  Apply to affected area.  (Note: this can become VERY warm, remove from microwave with caution and let cool before applying to skin if it’s too hot.)
• A hot bath.   Did you know that moist heat will actually penetrate the muscle better than dry heat?  Indulge in a hot bath with Epsom salts and Sore No More!  (In this instance, Sore No More may be used in conjunction with the application of heat.)
• Don’t have a tub?  Use a hot wash cloth.  Either run a wash cloth under hot water and ring it out, or microwave a moistened wash cloth for 20 seconds (longer if needed.)  Using this method, you'll want to reheat and apply 2-3 times.

Cool it Down!
Ice should be applied in the case of inflammation.  If you’ve pulled a muscle, or your joints are swollen, ice is the way to go.

• Make your own ice pack.  Following these directions, or you can try this out.
• Immersion.  Like heat, ice can be more effective moist.   Fill an appropriate sized container with ice and water and then immerse the problem area.  (This works best with extremities.)
• Ice Massage.  Perhaps the simplest of all- grab and ice cube and spend five minutes rubbing it over the affected area.  When the area becomes numb, discontinue use.

(Please Note: Ice should never be applied for more than 10 minutes when using an ice pack and never for more than 3-5 when using direct application.)

Don’t forget- contrast therapy can also be very helpful.  

Once you’ve applied heat or ice, you can apply some Sore No More and continue with your day or enjoy a good night’s rest!

*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

The Care and Keeping of Knees

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Many of our customers use Sore No More on their knees to combat arthritis pain or pain from general wear and tear.  We wanted to give our fans a few tips on keeping their knees in tip top shape.   

• Warm up before you exercise.  Stretching is important to ensure that you don’t injure your knees.
• Taking supplements such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM may promote joint health (consult your physician.)
• Consider your weight.  The loss of even a few pounds for those that are overweight can lessen the load on joints and have a profound impact on pain and joint longevity.
• See the doctor if you have knee pain for more than a week. Many problems can be corrected if they’re caught early.
• Exercise! Keeping your muscles limber and strengthening them does wonders for joint health.  Check out these websites for some knee exercises;
      -6 Ways To Keep Your Knees Pain Free
      -Healthy Knees: 10 Tips To Prevent Pain
      -How to Strengthen Your Knees

We hope that with these tips, your use of Sore No More will become more geared toward relieving your post-exercise aches rather than chronic 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

Make Bath Time Count

As many of you know, Sore No More dissolves in water and can be added to your bath to help it go the extra mile in relieving pain.  There are a few other ways to increase the pain-relieving benefits of bath time!

• Add Epsom Salts to your bath. Epsom salts contain magnesium;
      “Magnesium is a mineral that you can take as a supplement, but some foods as well as stomach acid can affect the function of the mineral. Sulfate is a mineral that is difficult to absorb from food but is easily and quickly absorbed through the skin. By taking a bath using Epsom Salt, the skin readily absorbs the magnesium and sulfate. As the sulfate is absorbed into the skin, toxins are drawn from the cells. Muscles relax. The magnesium reduces the inflammation in the muscles and relieves pain. The magnesium also helps the body bind serotonin, which is a chemical that promotes a sense of well-being and relaxation. The relaxation you feel, in turn, helps alleviate stress, which drains magnesium from the body and can cause tight muscles.”  Read more: eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4674568_epsom-salt-relax-muscles.html#ixzz1HHxTwDgh
  
• After your bath, moisturize with lavender essential oil diluted in a base like almond or grapeseed oil;
      “Lavender is known as a calming and relaxing herb and has frequently been used for insomnia, anxiety, depression, and natural stress relief.
      One recent study discovered that the scent of lavender increases the time you spend in deep (slow wave) sleep, though the effects were stronger for women than for men. 1 Other findings suggest that lavender reduces the severity of depression when taken concurrently with an antidepressant.” Read more: http://bodyecology.com/articles/lavender_improve_skin_immune_system.php”
• Stretch out.  
      Now that you’re relaxed and limber, take this opportunity to stretch your major muscle groups. (Check out this video for some easy stretches.)
• Ice any problem areas for 5 minutes.   
      If you’re suffering from a new injury, like a pulled muscle, take a few minutes to apply an ice pack.

Following these steps should help decrease your pain level.  Remember to put a couple of tablespoons of Sore No More in your bath and reapply after you moisturize if you’re still feeling pain.

Most of all, enjoy!

*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

Walkin' On Sunshine

Have you ever noticed that when your body is feeling the worst, sometimes taking a walk in the sunshine (or even just sitting in it for awhile) can make you feel so much better?   There may be a few reasons for this;

• Sunshine increases circulation. Increased circulation can help relieve muscle aches and pain as well as decreasing inflammation.
• Heat loosens muscles.  Being outside in the warmth naturally helps you relax.
• Sunlight helps to regulate hormone levels that can improve mood.  Pain that is worsened by psychological factors may be decreased by improved mood and/or outlook on life.  
• The body produces Vitamin D in the sunlight. Vitamin D may play a role in pain relief.  Check out this brochure to learn more.

In many areas, the temperature is warming and there is more incentive to enjoy the outdoors.  So head outside for a walk in the sun and see how you feel afterward!

(Other Resource: Natural Health Restored)
*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

The Malicious Migraine

It sneaks up on you.  Maybe you’re walking down the cleaning aisle at your local supermarket.  Perhaps you’re taking a class in a room full of fluorescent bulbs.  Maybe you just didn’t get enough sleep last night.  Before you know it, you’re laying in bed with a cool wash cloth across your forehead cursing the migraine that has chosen to make its presence so painfully obvious.

More than 29.5 million Americans, alone, suffer from migraines. Migraines are caused by vasodialation in the head which in turn causes nerve fibers to release chemicals that further the symptoms. (i.e. nausea, light sensitivity, etc.)

Fortunately, Sore No More can be used to help combat migraine pain!  Apply some to your temples and relax for a few moments, letting the gel work its magic.   You may also try these tips to help ease migraine pain.

• Apply an ice compress or heating pad to the back of your neck/base of your skull for 15 minutes.
• Dab a little lavender ssential oil under your nostrils (it’s best to dilute it in a carrier oil first)
  (note: some people are extremely sensitive to scents while having a migraine... use caution with this tip.)
• Have a cup of coffee or black tea- caffeine has been shown to help some migraine sufferers.

Keep in mind that no migraine is the same.   While some things may work for one person, they may not work for another. Make sure to discuss your migraine-managing options with your doctor!

*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

The Pain-Sleep Conundrum

Many of our customers have told us that they use Sore No More to help them get a good night’s sleep. We, of course, are huge fans of a good night’s sleep.

Far too many are caught in a vicious cycle; they have chronic pain so they can’t sleep.   Lack of sleep causes their pain to be worse the next day, and so the cycle continues.

Check out these articles to find out the affect that sleep can have on your pain level;

• Lack of Sleep Increases Inflammation in Arthritis
• Lack of Sleep Causes Inflammation, Immune Response
• Lack of Sleep Means Pain, Weight Gain

A quick Google search will yield more information regarding your particular pain needs, but the evidence is conclusive, good sleep=better health all around.

So, apply some Sore No More before you head to bed and allow it to help you get your 7-8 hours of rest every night.  (Don’t forget you can always add Sore No More to your pre-bed bath!)
*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

Tips to Manage Low Back Pain

Your alarm has just gone off and as you swing your legs out of bed and stand up you realize that your lower back is bugging you.   Maybe you slept wrong, maybe it’s a chronic problem, but either way, it’s going to be a nagging intrusion on your day.    Why not try a few of these ideas to help your day run more smoothly?

• Take a hot shower or bath to relax the muscles in your back. Alternately, apply a heating pad to the area in pain.  If you’re planning on doing any of the exercises listed below, you can benefit from having your muscles relaxed beforehand.

• Try to loosen up your muscles by trying these exercises.
  -Top 6 Poses for Back Pain
  -Lower Back Relief (Video)
  -Low Back Pain Exercise Guide
  -Back Exercises in 15 Minutes a Day

• Apply Sore No More to the affected area after you’ve applied heat (via shower or heating pad).  The Capsacin in Sore No More can react to heat and may cause discomfort.
  
• Check out this article to learn about the correct postures for sitting, sleeping, and lifting.
  
• Take a break.  If there is a particular exercise that is contributing to your back pain, give your body a few days rest, or work on a different area.
  
• Visit a massage therapist and/or a chiropractor.  Maybe your muscles just need a little TLC, or maybe there are subluxations in your spine that are causing extra tightness.  A professional can help you get things back in line.
  
• Call your doctor.   The above tips may not apply when bulging discs, osteoporosis, or spinal deformities are present.  Please check with your doctor before trying any of them.

Always remember- your pain is manageable, it’s just a matter of finding something that works for 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