Chronic pain and mental health are connected. When we carry pain inside us, whether it is physical or emotional, it begins impacting our moods and increases anxiety. Most of us experience pain on a daily basis. If you are an autoimmune warrior like me, it’s something you live with and strive for each day to be better than the previous. And the one thing that helps me release pain, is simple stretching.
For those with any degenerative form of arthritis (autoimmune or other), joint pain comes with debilitation and joint replacement advice. But the quality of life on a daily basis can be so much better when we strengthen these joints.
I increased my agility, reduced pain drastically and strengthened my joints to delay the process of any surgical or invasive procedures.
If you are healthy, too much screen time, tapping on the laptop and phone can cause upper back, neck, head, shoulders, upper arms and wrist pain. It can also cause knee pain because you’re always sitting with your knee at right angle, and can lead to swelling of the feet. What’s worse is that it can lead to poor circulation, skin, pigmentation, pimples, acne and low absorption of nutrients from the gut.
I always did my yoga and walks. But in 2020, after losing my mother, chronic left ankle and right knee pain and swelling. The diagnosis and prognosis was not good. Both required surgical procedures. I couldn’t even go for a walk for 18 months, the pain was so bad. Then in January this year, I implemented the below schedule for myself and I released the pain, swelling and stiffness. Today, I wake up fresh and raring to go with high energy and wonderful agility. I have just restarted my walks as well! So do this, to see the miracle of your body healing just when you feel there is no way out.
Use the power of your mind because I know that in extreme pain, it only takes the so much emotional strength to implement and get past the first seven days. After that, it starts getting better each day.
“It only takes so much “
Wake up in the morning, go to the bathroom, freshen up at start your morning schedule with simple stretches:
Ankle rotations. Sit straight in the chair, stretch your right leg in front, and rotate your right ankle clockwise, slowly, 10 times. Then repeat with your left ankle.
Wrist rotations: Stand up straight, with arms in front. Rotate right wrist clockwise 10 times, and then anti clockwise, slowly. Do the same with left wrist.
Neck rotation: Gently rotate your neck clockwise three times and anticlockwise three times. You may feel some clicking sound, this is normal as your joints and muscles are jammed up and need to start opening up.
Crossover Arm Stretch. Relax your shoulders and gently pull one arm across your chest as far as possible, holding at your upper arm. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and then relax for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other arm. This is great to release shoulder, upper arm at elbow pain. Tip: Do not pull or put pressure on your elbow.
Shoulder rotations: Lean forward and place one hand on a counter or table for support. Let your other arm hang freely at your side.Gently swing your arm forward and back. Repeat the exercise moving your arm side-to-side, and repeat again in a circular motion. So basically you are being the shoulder joint by moving your entire arm in a circular motion. Repeat the entire sequence with the other arm.
Lots of love and hugs mam😘