From A Massage Therapist: Diet and Exercise

1. How substantial a role do you feel diet plays in pain management? What is your top recommendation?

I think diet is vital to good health, ESPECIALLY pain management. My top two suggestions are; -Drink Plenty of Water: There are some great apps for your smart phone that can help you determine how much water you should drink and remind you to drink throughout the day. "Water Your Body" is the one I use. -Eat What Makes You Feel Good: I don't mean Ben and Jerry's after a break up. I mean what physically makes your body feel nice. There are no one-size-fits-all guidelines. Maybe salad makes you feel light and energetic, maybe a steak is what gets you through the day. Spend some time getting to know what makes your pain levels better or worse, keep a journal, know your body!

2. How substantial a role do you feel exercise plays in pain management? What is your top recommendation for style/duration/etc?

I'm as terrible at keeping up an exercise routine as the next person. I like to put aside the thought of 'exercise' and instead focus on movement. Stretching and walking can be the best things for pain management. Just be aware and reminds yourself to move your body! (Top Secret Tip: Dancing to your favorite music is the BEST for this.)

*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

Decaffeinate your Pain Away?

Black? Cream and Sugar? Coffee is a very popular beverage that many people rely heavily on to get them through a day.  It can be the bright motivation that gets a person out of bed and the liquid sustenance that keeps them moving through the day.  The question is, in terms of pain levels, is coffee helping or hindering?

Some things to consider

Coffee can decrease depression, which has been associated with chronic pain.

Coffee can increase dehydration, which can cause muscle and joint pain.

Coffee can increase motivation and energy which can help you complete tasks that will decrease pain (like exercise).

Coffee has been associated with headaches.

Coffee can impact muscle tension, which can increase chronic pain.

Coffee can impact adrenal function, which can increase chronic pain.

All of this information and more (including links to studies) is scattered across the internet. The following links will give you some pro-coffee information and some anti-coffee feedback.

Coffee: A great tool for dealing with chronic pain

Caffeine: Cup of Pain, Liquid Stress

10 Reasons Coffee is Both the Best and the Worst Beverage Ever Invented

Is Caffeine Causing Your Chronic Back Pain?

Coffee and Joint Pain

What does it come down to? You have to make a choice for yourself.  For some people coffee is a wonder drug that helps with their chronic pain problems. For others it makes things much worse. Take some time to look at coffee for what it really is- a drug. Do your research, do some experimentation with dosages/what time of day to drink it/etc.  Comment on this post with what has worked best 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

Drinking Water May Be The Most Important Pain Fighting Tool!

Did you know that hydration can impact nearly everything about your bodily functions including your pain levels? This applies to chronic pain and exercise-induced pain alike.  There are so many maladies that can present due to dehydration and it's such an easy thing to remedy.  So let's talk about how much water you need in your life...

You Should Be Drinking AT LEAST Half Your Body Weight in OZ of water daily

(That means: 150lbs = 75 oz of water every day)

You should be drinking at least 8 oz of water to compensate for each caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink. 

(1 cup of coffee = adding 8 oz to your daily requirement.)

Things that count when considering hydration:

-Water

-Herbal (non caffeinated) teas

-Coconut water

Things that don't count (and most dehydrate you):

-Sodas

-Coffee

-Alcohol

-Caffeinated Teas

-Fruit Juices

-Sparkling Waters

Tricks to maximize your water intake:

-Get a fun water bottle, or one that you find aesthetically pleasing. (Consider containers from other beverages like wine bottles, juice bottles, etc. Keep it interesting!)

-Get a larger water bottle... You may be more motivated if you only have to drink two of a certain size of bottle per day than if you have to refill a small one many times throughout the day. 

-Drink out of a straw or a water bottle with a straw. Many people find that drinking from straws encourages them to drink more. 

-Add fruits, veggies, or herbs for flavor. (Infused Water Recipes)

-Drink 16 oz first thing when you wake up in the morning!

-Drink water every time you do a certain task during your day. 

-Download an app for your smart phone to remind you to drink water every day. 

-Write positive affirmations on your water bottle. 

-Get a fun tea cup and use it exclusively for herbal teas. 

-Suck on some ice chips for variation. 

-Make it manageable.... while the ideal is to drink enough water daily, work up to it one day at a time. 

The great thing about hydration is that once you have optimized your body's hydration levels, you'll start to feel a difference when you aren't hydrated enough. Your body may ache more, you may get headaches... soon you'll know just when you need to drink more to feel your best!

Additional Reading:

The Effects of Dehydration 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Dehydration

11 Reasons Why Dehydration is Making You Fat and Sick

*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

*Cross-posted to Whole Balance Being*

Making the Pain Scale Work For You

How many times have you found yourself gazing at a form depicting a scale from one to ten and asking you to assign your pain a number? How many times have you pondered whether indicating that your present pain level is a three might impact your care, even though sometimes it’s as high as a seven?  Pain scales can feel severely limiting, but they are invaluable to health care providers to track your progress with them (and even required by some insurance companies!)

Following are some serious articles to help you most effectively use the pain scale at maximum benefit.

Using the Pain Scale: How To Talk About Pain

Using the Pain Scale Effectively

And here is one not so serious, but potentially more useful pain scale option.

Boyfriend Doesn’t Have Ebola. Probably.

*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

Magnesium- the Magical Mineral

Many people take Calcium-Magnesium supplements because they know that calcium is vital to bone growth.  Magnesium tends to fall by the wayside as ‘that mineral you need to absorb calcium.’  The fact of the matter is that it’s a bit of a miracle substance that has many benefits to the human body. Some of those benefits include;

-Muscle Relaxation (and decreasing cramps)

-Improved Sleep

-Decrease in Anxiety and Depression

-Decrease in Body Odor

-Aid in treating, reversing or reducing the impact of a variety of illnesses.

-Healthy digestive/bowel function

Sometimes increasing your intake of magnesium rich foods, or taking a quality magnesium supplement can make all the difference in how you feel.

Learn more by reading some (or all!) of the following articles

Benefits of Magnesium Far Greater Than Previously Imagined

Are You Low on Magnesium?

Top Five Health Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium for Pain Relief

Inflammation and Pain Management With Magnesium

*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

Pain Free 2013 Part III: Add!

Last month we discussed what you can eliminate from your diet to increase inflammation and, subsequently pain.  This month we're going to talk about some things to add that can serve the same purpose!

1. Vitamin D
Studies suggest that vitamin D can help combat chronic pain, nevermind how vital it is to everyday health. Our bodies create vitamin D in response to exposure to sunligh, but most of us don't create enough.  Supplementation can be the best choice.

More Information:
Vitamin D: A Possible Solution to Chronic Pain
Vitamin D Supplementaion for Patients With Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain: Does Vitamin D Help?

2. Turmeric
It's been established that inflammation leads to pain.  This sells many over the counter anti-inflammatories every year.  A common herb, turmeric, is proven to decrease inflammation and may also combat cancer!

More Information:
Turmeric Works Better Than Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
How Good is Turmeric For Pain?
Alleviate Joint Pain with Turmeric

3. Magnesium
Magnesium is a relatively well known nutrient, often associated with calcium absorption.  It is also an excellent muscle relaxant and has been shown to help decrease pain levels.

More Information:
Magnesium for Pain
The Miracle of Magnesium
Magnesium Could Keep Your Muscles Free From Pain

There are many more supplements on the market that can help decrease and manage your pain levels. The important thing is to find what works for your particular condition.


*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

Pain Free 2013 Part II: Eliminate!

Welcome to the second installment of ‘Pain Free 2013’ here on the Sore No More blog.  If you haven’t reviewed the first article, review it here.  By now you should have gotten to know your pain. Where did it come from? What do you want to do about it?  Assuming you’ve decided that you’re over the whole pain gig, we’ll move along to things that you ought to eliminate consuming to decrease your pain levels.

There are certain substances that, when consumed, increase the amount of inflammation.  As we’ve discussed many times before, inflammation equals pain and dis-ease.  

1. Refined Sugar.
2. Dairy
3. Wheat
4. Red Meat/ Feed Lot Meat
5. Alcohol

Don’t panic! It is not being suggested that you avoid all of these substances altogether.  Only that you be aware of how much you consume them and know that they increase inflammation. Consider balancing things out by increasing the anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.

See if you can pay close attention for the next week or so to how much of the above five substances you ingest and consider changing your diet to decrease them.

*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

Pain Free 2013 Part I

Welcome to the first in a multi-part series about how to establish a pain free life in 2013.  Here, I’m going to give you cause to think and analyze your pain as well as steps to take to diminish it.  

Today, we’re going to discuss the root of your pain.  Some of the following questions may require more than a moment of thought.  Take your time. 

1. How long have you been experiencing pain? Is it chronic or acute? The duration of your pain tells you how much you’ve learned to live with it and how attached you actually may be to it.
2. Where is your pain located?
This one can actually be surprisingly difficult for some people.  If you can’t pinpoint the location(s) if your pain at a moment’s notice, it’s time to sit down and think about it. 
3. Is there a known cause for your pain?Did you have an accident? Did it just manifest? What happened when you first started experiencing the pain? All of these are keys to eliminating it. 
4.  Are you ready to get rid of your pain?This seems like an obvious question.  Sometimes, however, pain is a useful tool. Take the work-a-holic who only lets himself have down time when his back hurts.  Are you using your pain as a crutch in another area of your life? Until you’ve established this, you won’t be able to make a choice about whether you’re ready to eliminate it or not.  (And yes, it’s okay if you’re not ready.)

Take some time to think about these questions. Write them down if it will help.  They’re important questions leading to the next step in living a pain free life.   

*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

Psychosomatic Pain Part II

This is a continuation on last month's article on Psychosomatic Pain.

Emotions and Pain
Chronic pain can be tied to abuse as a child, or even as an adult {source}.  In fact, the brain processes physical pain and mental pain in a very similar manner, making the correlation between the two entirely feasible.  Without proper coping mechanisms, emotional pain can easily manifest itself into physical pain.  Likewise, physical pain can lend itself to emotional discontent.  In many cases, chronic pain and depression can be found living in a parasitic harmony, each feeding off the other.   

In her book ‘You Can Heal Your Life,’’ Lousie L. Hays lists the probable emotional cause for many different ailments and suggest affirmations to solve them.  It provides an interesting insight on how working through emotional pain can have a positive impact on physical pain.

Neurotransmitters and Pain
Neurotransmitters are responsible for delivering messages from your brain to your body and vise versa. They play vital roles in physical, mental and emotional reactions. Much like the hormone imbalances discussed in the adrenal fatigue section, neurotransmitter imbalances can impact physical pain levels and emotional wellbeing.  

Neurotransmitters work as filters in the communication network of the brain.  If the pain management filter is not working effectively, it can cause or worsen chronic pain.  

Solving the Problem
The first step to solving any pain problem is trusting yourself.  Trust that there is a way to solve your problem and that you are worth the effort required to get there.  You must be strong enough to seek out physicians and other healers who are able to help you.   

Adrenal fatigue, emotional stress and neurotransmitter imbalances can all be helped by lifestyle choices including nutritional changes and stress management techniques.  This may require adding things to your diet, finding a therapist you can communicate with, taking up a new exercise routine, and/or treating yourself to monthly massages.

Psychosomatic/psychogenic pain is very real.  Often times it is downplayed because of the difficulty in finding a physical cause.  A bruise hurts when you press on it.  It is an obvious physical pain with an obvious physical cause.  Just because the cause of a pain cannot be seen, visually does not make it less relevant.  Over time, pain that is caused by hormone imbalance, emotional struggle or neurotransmitter dysfunction can cause obvious physical problems (tightened muscles can move bones, generating disc, bursa and ligament problems to name a few).  As many of you know, at this point in the progression, problems become much more difficult to fix, so why not start trying to solve them now?

{Sources: Pain Center of Orlando, NaturalNews.Com, National Sleep Foundation, NCBI, Psychology Today, LA Times, Wikipedia, IWR.Com}

*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

Psychosomatic Pain Part I

Have you ever felt as though your chronic pain was being downplayed because it was “all in your head?”  That may be true.  The fact of the matter is that mental and emotional states can have a profound and very real impact on pain levels.  A high stress level has physical consequences.  It can exacerbate pain that is already present, such as arthritis.  Or, it can generate new pains that were not previously present, as is often the case with those suffering from Fibromyalgia.  

There are some key players in the stress-pain correlation;

Adrenal Fatigue
Hypoadrenia (adrenal fatigue) occurs when your adrenal glands become overworked, expelling too much adrenaline and cortisol.  These are your ‘fight or flight’ hormones.  In the absence of need to flee from, say, saber tooth tigers, today’s human is expelling far too many of these hormones in response to things like getting the incorrect order at Starbucks.

Adrenal fatigue can express itself as chronic pain and is often misdiagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia.  Muscular pain is a common symptom of adrenal fatigue, most specifically those muscles found in the legs (sartorius, gracilis, posterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, and soleus.)  These muscles impact the balance of the pelvis and can subsequently cause low back pain. Left unremedied, this unbalance can travel up the spine, generating mid back, upper back, shoulder, and even neck pain.

Sleep is often disturbed by adrenal fatigue. The imbalance of cortisol production makes falling asleep and staying asleep difficult.  Lack of quality REM sleep has long been known to impact pain levels negatively.

Learn more symptoms of adrenal fatigue here.

Check back next month for part two of the Psychosomatic Pain article. 


*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

Cold Laser Therapy and Pain

Cold lasers are becoming more commonly implemented for pain management on a personal level and in alternative medicine and pain management offices.  These lasers interact with photo receptors in your cells to decrease inflammation and encourage tissues repair in injured areas.

Cold lasers penetrate through the upper layers of skin to reach their target area and stimulate mitochondria.  They may be useful in reducing pain and stimulating healing, which makes them a valuable asset to any pain or injury management regimen.

Find some more great information about cold lasers here;
Integrity Chiropractic 
ColdLasers.Org

{Sources: Coldlasers.org, Spine-Health, Integrity Chiropractic}


*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

5 Ways To Manage Your Pain TODAY!

Chronic pain can be a real motivational drain.  It can impact your desire to get out of bed in the morning, your inclination to exercise and even distract from daily tasks like work or household chores.  Sometimes you can't even get yourself to do the things you know will help.

The following are five simple things that you can do in the next hour to make your pain a little more bearable and your outlook a little brighter.

1. Take a Hot Shower or Bath.  While you're in there, don't think about what you should be doing instead, try not to focus on your body hurting.  Just enjoy the feeling of the hot water relaxing your muscles.  Bonus: Add 1 tablespoon of Sore No More to your bath for extra pain relief.  Extra credit: This is a great time to do some guided meditation (you can purchase CDs for this, find many options on the web, or download an iPhone app such as Stitcher that will allow you to search for meditation podcasts.

2.  Stretch.  Stretching is one of those things many people avoid doing when their body hurts, but it is SO helpful.  As soon as you step out of the bath/shower, do a few stretches.  Stretch your target areas that hurt the most.  Remember, if the pain increases when you stretch you are going too far.  Be gentle with yourself. Bonus: Do some breathing exercises while you stretch.  Extra Credit: Going for a walk later in the day will make you feel even better.

3. Look at Yourself In the Mirror and Smile.  Smiling automatically increases endorphin production, which will make you feel better.  Bonus: Give yourself a compliment. Improving your mental state will make doing the things you need to do to feel more manageable.  Extra Credit:  Watch a funny movie later in the day!

4.  Make a list.  People with chronic pain often feel that they have heard it all. Compartmentalizing all of the information you've received from friends, doctors and the internet can be a challenge.  Sit down and make a list of all of the things that you've heard might help your condition.  Bonus: Cross off the items that you're not interested in/don't believe in. Put stars next to the ones you'd be willing to try and select one or two that you actively want to start working on...highlight those.  Extra Credit: Get started today! Take the first step toward a new pain  management plan.

5.  Do Some Research.  Have you been meaning to try out a new yoga class, find a chiropractor or ask a friend about her massage therapist? Maybe someone mentioned a supplement that you wanted to get more information on?  Get online and do some research.  Bonus:  Maybe this is one of the things on your list!  Extra Credit:  Call and set up an appointment/consultation or sign up for a class.

Now you're well on your way to having a happier, healthier, pain-free day (and life!)



*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 Vitamin D and Pain Connection

You may recall our past post on how sunlight can help with chronic pain.  Amongst its other benefits, sunlight allows your body to produce vitamin D.  Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can cause more chronic pain and even suggest that Fibromyalgia may have its roots there.  

While fifteen minutes of sunlight a day is enough to get your required amount of vitamin D, sometimes even fifteen minutes can be hard to manage.  Vitamin D supplements are available in both capsule and liquid form.

The following articles discuss vitamin D deficiency and its relation to chronic pain.

Chronic Pain Linked To Low Vitamin D

Mayo Clinic Researchers Link Vitamin D and Chronic Pain Relief


Vitamin D for Chronic Pain Syndromes

Lack of Vitamin D Linked To 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

Five Ways To Combat TMJ Pain

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is, to put it in most basic terms, your jaw joint.  It is the hinged joint that allows you to open and close your mouth.  Many people suffer from pain in this joint.  There can be a variety of contributing factors and it can be beneficial to see your dentist and/or chiropractor to see about permanent solutions if you suffer from chronic TMJ pain or discomfort.   

Until then, here are five tips to help you combat TMJ pain.  

1.  Use Sore No More.  Sore No More has been remarkably effective for some of our customers who suffer from chronic TMJ pain.  Apply some over the jaw joint and also down the sternocleidomastoid muscle (along the side of your neck.)  

2. Stretch.  Gently open and close your mouth, do not cause yourself excessive pain and discomfort. Do this ten times. Stretch your neck by tilting your right ear toward your right shoulder until you feel a stretch and then holding for ten seconds.  Repeat on the left side.  Do this three times per side.  It’s important to remember that the muscles in your neck can directly effect your TMJ pain.

3.  Apply a heating pad to your jaw/neck.  This will relax the muscles and decrease pain. Follow by applying an ice pack for five minutes.

4.  Relax.  Find ways to relax and decompress before bed. Many people experience TMJ pain because they grind or clench their teeth while they sleep. This is less likely to happen if you fall asleep in a relaxed state.  

5. Massage.  Sometimes light massage over the TMJ can relax the muscles and decrease pain.  Follow it up by massaging the muscles of the neck.  Finding a good massage therapist who knows acupressure points on the cheeks and jaw can help combat pain.  

TMJ problems can wear down the joint and can also have a negative impact on your tooth and gum health, so make sure to get TMJ problems assessed and taken care of by a professional as soon as possible!

*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

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!

{Source 1}
{Source 2}


*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 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!