When you next ask someone how they are and their response is "FINE", remember this stands for:
F reaked out
I nsecure
N eurotic, &
E motional
and tread carefully!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Meniere's
An estimated 40,000 (1 in 600) Australians have Meniere’s, which is a condition in which excess fluid inm the inner ear upsets the ear’s balance and hearing mechanisms.
Symptoms include:
Vertigo – dizziness with associated loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and diarrohea;
Tinnitus – a distressing ringing, hissing or buzzing sound in the ear/s or head;
Ear Pressure – a feeling of “fullness” in the ear associated with a build up of fluid in the inner ear;
Muffled Hearing – a lost of low frequency hearing in one or both ears, making speech difficult to understand. At first hearing loss tends to fluctuate but eventually will affect all frequencies.
Stages:
1. Intermittent vertigo, often accompanied with severe vomiting. After an attach the ear returns to normal, making diagnosis difficult. Muffled hearing and tinnitus can also be experienced;
2. Vertigo continues, often preceded and accompanied by pressure in the ear/s. Episodes can last from hours up to days and tend to occur in clusters. Hearing fluctuates but doesn’t return to normal. Tinnitus increases and may become chronic;
3. There are fewer, less severe vertigo attacks. Balance is impaired resulting in some unsteadiness. Hearing loss can be severe. Tinnitus continues.
Treatments:
Although there is currently no cure for Meniere’s, some conservative treatments include:
a) Changes to diet – a low-salt diet (low in sodium) is recommended to reduce vertigo symptoms. Low sodium equates to less than 120mg per 100gr of food. Eat fresh foods and avoid processed foods. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may also help;
b) Stress can trigger attacks. Lifestyle changes to minimise stress is a key strategy;
c) Balance therapy – doing specially designed physical exercises can help retrain the body to balance effectively;
d) Have regular chiropractic sessions to ensure joints in your skull (yes, there are a few) are correctly aligned. Acupuncture and massage can also help.
e) If the above doesn’t assist, have your GP refer you to a Neurologist specialising in Hearing & Balance for detailed testing.
For more information visit: www.menieres.org.au & www.findlowsaltfood.info
Symptoms include:
Vertigo – dizziness with associated loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and diarrohea;
Tinnitus – a distressing ringing, hissing or buzzing sound in the ear/s or head;
Ear Pressure – a feeling of “fullness” in the ear associated with a build up of fluid in the inner ear;
Muffled Hearing – a lost of low frequency hearing in one or both ears, making speech difficult to understand. At first hearing loss tends to fluctuate but eventually will affect all frequencies.
Stages:
1. Intermittent vertigo, often accompanied with severe vomiting. After an attach the ear returns to normal, making diagnosis difficult. Muffled hearing and tinnitus can also be experienced;
2. Vertigo continues, often preceded and accompanied by pressure in the ear/s. Episodes can last from hours up to days and tend to occur in clusters. Hearing fluctuates but doesn’t return to normal. Tinnitus increases and may become chronic;
3. There are fewer, less severe vertigo attacks. Balance is impaired resulting in some unsteadiness. Hearing loss can be severe. Tinnitus continues.
Treatments:
Although there is currently no cure for Meniere’s, some conservative treatments include:
a) Changes to diet – a low-salt diet (low in sodium) is recommended to reduce vertigo symptoms. Low sodium equates to less than 120mg per 100gr of food. Eat fresh foods and avoid processed foods. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may also help;
b) Stress can trigger attacks. Lifestyle changes to minimise stress is a key strategy;
c) Balance therapy – doing specially designed physical exercises can help retrain the body to balance effectively;
d) Have regular chiropractic sessions to ensure joints in your skull (yes, there are a few) are correctly aligned. Acupuncture and massage can also help.
e) If the above doesn’t assist, have your GP refer you to a Neurologist specialising in Hearing & Balance for detailed testing.
For more information visit: www.menieres.org.au & www.findlowsaltfood.info
Monday, December 7, 2009
Cutting Cholesterol Naturally
When most people think of cholesterol, they think of the waxy fat-like substance that is found in many of the foods we eat that ends up “clogging up arteries”. Often feared, the truth is that cholesterol is needed by the body for a number of different things. For example it is used in the manufacture and maintenance of strong cell walls, it is critical for hormone and vitamin D production, it even is used to coat the nerve cells in the body. Cholesterol comprises about 25% of the brain's total mass.
In fact, our bodies produce cholesterol all by itself, all the cholesterol we need to live a healthy, happy life. Cholesterol is produced primarily by the liver, but small amounts of it are also manufactured by the cells in our bodies. This production of cholesterol by our bodies is the reason why some individuals, who consume a low cholesterol diet, still experience high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products.
While elevated cholesterol levels present no signs or symptoms on their own, elevated levels have been identified as a significant risk factor in health concerns such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Clinically, doctors recommend that blood cholesterol levels (the amount of cholesterol circulating in our blood) be no greater than 200mg/dl, with a total level of 180mg/dl being optimal.
Our total cholesterol is broken down into three separate components: HDL (high density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). Our HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol. It functions to remove cholesterol from the blood and blood vessel walls, where it returns it to the liver for elimination. Our LDL and VLDL cholesterol are considered to be harmful to the body, because it carries cholesterol into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it can be deposited on the artery walls, which promotes arteriosclerosis.
Doctors are now beginning to recognise a relationship between our HDL and LDL cholesterol and many feel that this ratio may be a better indicator of our health risk than our total cholesterol numbers. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1. Regardless of your heart risk ratio, however, individuals who have a total cholesterol level of over 275mg/dl are still considered at risk for heart disease, despite high HDL levels.
Yes, there are plenty of cholesterol lowering drugs available on the market, but when Dr. Orli Etingin, Vice Chairman of Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, commenting on Lipitor at a recent discussion on women and the brain, says “This drug makes women stupid”, you’d want to pay attention and look at “natural” options first.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WELLNESS
A qualified naturopath and nutritionist can help you with your unique requirements, however, some general actions you can take include:
* Incorporate a regular exercise program into your daily routine. In addition to increasing your HDL cholesterol, thus improving your heart risk ratio, exercise helps strengthen your heart muscle, reduce your blood pressure and helps you take off a couple of kilos.
* Try a vegetarian diet. Historically, individuals who consumed a purely vegetarian diet had lower cholesterol levels.
* Reduce or eliminate foods that contain high saturated fats such as beef, pork, cheese, butter and ice cream. If eating chicken, remove the skin to additionally reduce your fat intake.
* Use olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil can help to reduce LDL cholesterol from the body. Also Guggul lipid is an herb native to India and has been used for a long time in Ayuvedic medicine to help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
* Eating a diet high in fatty acids such as those found in fish, or supplementing with Omega 3 oil has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol and protect the heart against heart disease.
* Fibre, fibre, fibre! Eating high fibre foods such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. You can also supplement with other forms of soluble fibre such as psyllium, apples and oat bran.
Green tea has also been show to lower total cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL.
* Lecithin enables fats, such as cholesterol, to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. This can help to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries
Vitamin C and vitamin E appear to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease.
Amended article from
Author: Dr. Rita Louise, PhD & Naturopathic Physician
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004.
In fact, our bodies produce cholesterol all by itself, all the cholesterol we need to live a healthy, happy life. Cholesterol is produced primarily by the liver, but small amounts of it are also manufactured by the cells in our bodies. This production of cholesterol by our bodies is the reason why some individuals, who consume a low cholesterol diet, still experience high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is found in meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products.
While elevated cholesterol levels present no signs or symptoms on their own, elevated levels have been identified as a significant risk factor in health concerns such as arteriosclerosis and heart disease. Clinically, doctors recommend that blood cholesterol levels (the amount of cholesterol circulating in our blood) be no greater than 200mg/dl, with a total level of 180mg/dl being optimal.
Our total cholesterol is broken down into three separate components: HDL (high density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). Our HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol. It functions to remove cholesterol from the blood and blood vessel walls, where it returns it to the liver for elimination. Our LDL and VLDL cholesterol are considered to be harmful to the body, because it carries cholesterol into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it can be deposited on the artery walls, which promotes arteriosclerosis.
Doctors are now beginning to recognise a relationship between our HDL and LDL cholesterol and many feel that this ratio may be a better indicator of our health risk than our total cholesterol numbers. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1; the optimum ratio is 3.5:1. Regardless of your heart risk ratio, however, individuals who have a total cholesterol level of over 275mg/dl are still considered at risk for heart disease, despite high HDL levels.
Yes, there are plenty of cholesterol lowering drugs available on the market, but when Dr. Orli Etingin, Vice Chairman of Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, commenting on Lipitor at a recent discussion on women and the brain, says “This drug makes women stupid”, you’d want to pay attention and look at “natural” options first.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WELLNESS
A qualified naturopath and nutritionist can help you with your unique requirements, however, some general actions you can take include:
* Incorporate a regular exercise program into your daily routine. In addition to increasing your HDL cholesterol, thus improving your heart risk ratio, exercise helps strengthen your heart muscle, reduce your blood pressure and helps you take off a couple of kilos.
* Try a vegetarian diet. Historically, individuals who consumed a purely vegetarian diet had lower cholesterol levels.
* Reduce or eliminate foods that contain high saturated fats such as beef, pork, cheese, butter and ice cream. If eating chicken, remove the skin to additionally reduce your fat intake.
* Use olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil can help to reduce LDL cholesterol from the body. Also Guggul lipid is an herb native to India and has been used for a long time in Ayuvedic medicine to help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
* Eating a diet high in fatty acids such as those found in fish, or supplementing with Omega 3 oil has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol and protect the heart against heart disease.
* Fibre, fibre, fibre! Eating high fibre foods such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. You can also supplement with other forms of soluble fibre such as psyllium, apples and oat bran.
Green tea has also been show to lower total cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL.
* Lecithin enables fats, such as cholesterol, to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. This can help to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries
Vitamin C and vitamin E appear to protect LDL cholesterol from damage. Most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL increases the risk of heart disease.
Amended article from
Author: Dr. Rita Louise, PhD & Naturopathic Physician
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Minimise Neck and Shoulder Pain without doing a thing!
Our bodies are good at doing what is tasked but loves external support to ease the load. These supports can keep the body from doing tasks that would negatively affect functionality. One simple aid is the use of a contour pillow, which provides a great support to the neck and shoulders during sleep.
Contour pillows are rounded on both sides, hence the word "contour." The rounded areas support your neck whether you sleep on your side or back (sleeping on your stomach and ‘corkscrewing’ your neck is a no-no!). By supporting your neck and removing pressure from the head and shoulders, contoured pillows help give you correct orthopaedic support and alignment, leading to a comfortable and truly rejuvenating sleep and reducing pains throughout the body.
Each person differs in terms of shape and size: Some of us have long necks, some short ones. Shoulder depth, neck shape and curve also vary. To meet these variables contour pillows come in low, medium and high profiles. As a guide:
• Low: Designed to support children from 5 years and adult back sleepers;
• Medium: Suits average physiques and those seeking a 'normal' sized pillow;
• High: Suits side sleeping, broader shouldered physiques.
Latex contour pillows are also a healthy option because bacteria and mildew can't live in the foam.
Contour pillows are rounded on both sides, hence the word "contour." The rounded areas support your neck whether you sleep on your side or back (sleeping on your stomach and ‘corkscrewing’ your neck is a no-no!). By supporting your neck and removing pressure from the head and shoulders, contoured pillows help give you correct orthopaedic support and alignment, leading to a comfortable and truly rejuvenating sleep and reducing pains throughout the body.
Each person differs in terms of shape and size: Some of us have long necks, some short ones. Shoulder depth, neck shape and curve also vary. To meet these variables contour pillows come in low, medium and high profiles. As a guide:
• Low: Designed to support children from 5 years and adult back sleepers;
• Medium: Suits average physiques and those seeking a 'normal' sized pillow;
• High: Suits side sleeping, broader shouldered physiques.
Latex contour pillows are also a healthy option because bacteria and mildew can't live in the foam.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Constipation
Embarrassing, yes, but most of us have suffered from constipation at one time or another. While constipation is not recognised as a serious disorder, people who are constipated often feel bloated, uncomfortable and even sluggish. Chronic constipation can also be compounded by hemorrhoids that form due to straining.
To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works: When we eat, food is ground up in our mouth and stomach so it can be digested. This liquified food passes into the intestines where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing the stool to form. If there isn’t enough water at this extraction point the stool can become hard and difficult to pass, leaving you constipated.
There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These most commonly include not eating enough dietary fibre, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise and plain old stress. Other causes can include ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, many prescription drugs (especially codeine) and certain neurological disorders. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to work properly.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve constipation naturally.
* Drink plenty of water: especially if you are taking supplemental fibre, pharmaceutical drugs or large amounts of protein (protein takes more water to digest).
* Dietary fibre holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while adds bulk help to move the stool through the colon, so consume a diet including significant amounts of both soluable and unsoluable fibre eg of lots of vegetables, whole grains, psyllium and fruits etc.
* Try eating a few prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fibre, prunes have a mild laxative effect.
* Avoid sugar and other processed foods.
* Allergies can also be the cause of your constipation, so at your next Kinesthetic Chiropractic session be checked out for underlying issues or talk to your Naturopath & Nutritionist about an elimination diet.
* An abdominal massage or Chiropractic treatment can include colon stimulation, which may help.
* Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements: meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and relax as digestion works better when you’re relaxed.
* Take a good probiotic to help promote a healthy environment within the gut.
* Peppermint has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Enjoy an uplifting cup of Peppermint herbal tea after meals.
Edited by Joanne Terrans 11/2009
Initial resource from Dr R Louise, PhD. Naturopathic Physician & Author at www.soulhealer.com
To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works: When we eat, food is ground up in our mouth and stomach so it can be digested. This liquified food passes into the intestines where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing the stool to form. If there isn’t enough water at this extraction point the stool can become hard and difficult to pass, leaving you constipated.
There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These most commonly include not eating enough dietary fibre, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise and plain old stress. Other causes can include ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, many prescription drugs (especially codeine) and certain neurological disorders. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to work properly.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve constipation naturally.
* Drink plenty of water: especially if you are taking supplemental fibre, pharmaceutical drugs or large amounts of protein (protein takes more water to digest).
* Dietary fibre holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while adds bulk help to move the stool through the colon, so consume a diet including significant amounts of both soluable and unsoluable fibre eg of lots of vegetables, whole grains, psyllium and fruits etc.
* Try eating a few prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fibre, prunes have a mild laxative effect.
* Avoid sugar and other processed foods.
* Allergies can also be the cause of your constipation, so at your next Kinesthetic Chiropractic session be checked out for underlying issues or talk to your Naturopath & Nutritionist about an elimination diet.
* An abdominal massage or Chiropractic treatment can include colon stimulation, which may help.
* Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements: meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and relax as digestion works better when you’re relaxed.
* Take a good probiotic to help promote a healthy environment within the gut.
* Peppermint has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Enjoy an uplifting cup of Peppermint herbal tea after meals.
Edited by Joanne Terrans 11/2009
Initial resource from Dr R Louise, PhD. Naturopathic Physician & Author at www.soulhealer.com
Monday, November 2, 2009
Hearing Aids
My part-time work, outside of massage, is in admin working for an audiologist, someone who tests, analyses and advises on your hearing. Mostly we see folk who have concerns about their hearing, need hearing tests for work, or who already have a deterioration in their hearing and, for the most part, hearing aids are the answer.
Unfortunately no technology to date is going to match the natural precision and sensitivity of the human auditory system, however hearing aids can be of immense benefit to those with hearing loss and help improve quality of life.
It is important therefore that hearing aid users develop appropriate expectations in relation to what their aids can and cannot do for them and in this regard an audiologist is the best contact. However, here's some general information:
* Hearing aids cannot restore one's hearing to normal;
* New aids will most likely require a period of adjustment & acclimatisation before maximum benefit can be achieved - patience is required as this my take weeks or a couple of months;
* The annoyance of background noise is a perennial one, particularly for first time hearing aid users who probably haven't been hearing much background noise since the onset of their hearing loss. There is, however, new technology with digital signal processing that differentiates between speech and noise, reduces amplification of noise and improves speech intelligibility. This technology is usually included in aids with directional microphones, which reduces noise from the side/back. Being directional however means the aid wearer needs to face the talker so that the microphones are facing the correct direction - bending the head down or to the side effectively moves the mic from the most advantageous position.
Also some general servicing hints I've picked up during my time with the audiologist:
* Whistling in BTE (behind the ear) aids is commonly caused by a split in the tube that links the mould in the ear and the unit behind the ear. A quick "retube" by your aid supplier will fix this;
* Whistling can also be caused when the aid is not sat fully inside the ear. This can be caused by wax deep inside the ear and a trip to the GP to clear any wax may fix the problem;
* If you have had ear surgery or a significant infection in the ear your ear canal shape may have changed affecting the fit and a new mould may be required;
* The aids can be affected by moisture, so using drying crystals occassionally or letting them sit in a dry sunny spot can help alleviate this;
* Intermittent cutting out of volume can be the battery contact - check for dust or foreign objects in the battery well.
For pensioners in Australia, you may be eligible for free hearing assessment and, if required, aids through the Office of Hearing Services, part of the Department of Health (Federal). Visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-applic.htm
Resources:
ListenUp Issue 22 from siemens.com.au/hearing
C Whitfeld at milliAmp Hearing (Newtown, also visiting Kogarah, Randwick, Taree & Armidale). Phone 02 9565 2521
Unfortunately no technology to date is going to match the natural precision and sensitivity of the human auditory system, however hearing aids can be of immense benefit to those with hearing loss and help improve quality of life.
It is important therefore that hearing aid users develop appropriate expectations in relation to what their aids can and cannot do for them and in this regard an audiologist is the best contact. However, here's some general information:
* Hearing aids cannot restore one's hearing to normal;
* New aids will most likely require a period of adjustment & acclimatisation before maximum benefit can be achieved - patience is required as this my take weeks or a couple of months;
* The annoyance of background noise is a perennial one, particularly for first time hearing aid users who probably haven't been hearing much background noise since the onset of their hearing loss. There is, however, new technology with digital signal processing that differentiates between speech and noise, reduces amplification of noise and improves speech intelligibility. This technology is usually included in aids with directional microphones, which reduces noise from the side/back. Being directional however means the aid wearer needs to face the talker so that the microphones are facing the correct direction - bending the head down or to the side effectively moves the mic from the most advantageous position.
Also some general servicing hints I've picked up during my time with the audiologist:
* Whistling in BTE (behind the ear) aids is commonly caused by a split in the tube that links the mould in the ear and the unit behind the ear. A quick "retube" by your aid supplier will fix this;
* Whistling can also be caused when the aid is not sat fully inside the ear. This can be caused by wax deep inside the ear and a trip to the GP to clear any wax may fix the problem;
* If you have had ear surgery or a significant infection in the ear your ear canal shape may have changed affecting the fit and a new mould may be required;
* The aids can be affected by moisture, so using drying crystals occassionally or letting them sit in a dry sunny spot can help alleviate this;
* Intermittent cutting out of volume can be the battery contact - check for dust or foreign objects in the battery well.
For pensioners in Australia, you may be eligible for free hearing assessment and, if required, aids through the Office of Hearing Services, part of the Department of Health (Federal). Visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-applic.htm
Resources:
ListenUp Issue 22 from siemens.com.au/hearing
C Whitfeld at milliAmp Hearing (Newtown, also visiting Kogarah, Randwick, Taree & Armidale). Phone 02 9565 2521
Monday, September 21, 2009
Keyboard Health Warning
Recently I turned by computer keyboard upside down (another story all together) and found the following:
HEALTH WARNING
Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders.
When using a computer, as with many activities (!), you may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation or stiffness DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARMING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.
Symptoms such as these can be associated with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerved, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the body, These musculoskeletal disorders include carpal turnnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynivitis and other conditions.
The warning continues, but I'm sure you get the gist.
Now, as a massage therapist (one of the abovementioned qualified health professionals) most my patients are suffering postural stress (the balance are sports injuries), and I hear myself giving the following advice more than I would like, but for the record here are some tips:
* Limit computer-working periods to blocks of 40 minutes and definitely less than 60 minutes;
* Get up from your desk as often as you can.
You'd be surprised what a change in gravity will do. Include walking the long way to the water-cooler or bathroom; doing arm swings or shoulder rolls; NOT eating lunch at your desk (go for a walk around the block); stand up during long phone calls etc.
* Make sure you have your computer desk and chair set up correctly. If you don't have an ergonomist on hand to "fit" you check out the link on my website called "How To Sit At Your Computer".
* Get your body moving, at least 30 minutes each day, preferably at the end of your work period so you can loosen your muscles up: swing your arms when walking, do a yoga or stretch class, add a couple of laps of backstroke at the pool, shoot some hoops, try Tai Chi, whatever - just get moving!
* If you can see a deadline looming (assignments, exams, tenders, end of period reporting etc) schedule 10 minute stretch breaks into your day.
* have a remedial massage. Of course I'm going to recommend this, but if you haven't yet experienced the benefit to your muscles, it's about jolly time you did.
HEALTH WARNING
Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders.
When using a computer, as with many activities (!), you may experience occasional discomfort in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck or other parts of your body. However, if you experience symptoms such as persistent or recurring discomfort, pain, throbbing, aching, tingling, numbness, burning sensation or stiffness DO NOT IGNORE THESE WARMING SIGNS. PROMPTLY SEE A QUALIFIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL - even if symptoms occur when you are not working at your computer.
Symptoms such as these can be associated with painful and sometimes permanently disabling injuries or disorders of the nerved, muscles, tendons, or other parts of the body, These musculoskeletal disorders include carpal turnnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynivitis and other conditions.
The warning continues, but I'm sure you get the gist.
Now, as a massage therapist (one of the abovementioned qualified health professionals) most my patients are suffering postural stress (the balance are sports injuries), and I hear myself giving the following advice more than I would like, but for the record here are some tips:
* Limit computer-working periods to blocks of 40 minutes and definitely less than 60 minutes;
* Get up from your desk as often as you can.
You'd be surprised what a change in gravity will do. Include walking the long way to the water-cooler or bathroom; doing arm swings or shoulder rolls; NOT eating lunch at your desk (go for a walk around the block); stand up during long phone calls etc.
* Make sure you have your computer desk and chair set up correctly. If you don't have an ergonomist on hand to "fit" you check out the link on my website called "How To Sit At Your Computer".
* Get your body moving, at least 30 minutes each day, preferably at the end of your work period so you can loosen your muscles up: swing your arms when walking, do a yoga or stretch class, add a couple of laps of backstroke at the pool, shoot some hoops, try Tai Chi, whatever - just get moving!
* If you can see a deadline looming (assignments, exams, tenders, end of period reporting etc) schedule 10 minute stretch breaks into your day.
* have a remedial massage. Of course I'm going to recommend this, but if you haven't yet experienced the benefit to your muscles, it's about jolly time you did.
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