Brightness said:
Thanks, it's OK. No not stressed about anything (not that I know of).
I have got nerve damage in my back and neck and because of this I sometimes get migraines. I woke up feeling yuk this morning but tried to carry on as normal as the kids were home.
Hubby wasn't happy that I hadn't just sent youngest to his mates' (he's 15) and gone to bed for the afternoon. Ah well...
Going to have an early night now & will hopefully be back on form tomorrow
night all
Have you heard of the Neuromscular Approach to Human Movement? One of the conditioning 'exercises' would probably be of great use to you. In short, our bodies have learned 'inappropriate' movements, which may make it easier for us to get to things, but are in effect causing continuous wear and tear on our bodies. Think of a baby picking up something - it will go close to the object and lower itself from above the object, allowing it's spine to maintain its 'S' shape for as long as possible. The spine in its 'S' shape offers the greatest strength and more importantly 'SAFETY'. Now think of an adult - they will stretch and reach for the object - twisting, bending and contorting their spine (into a C shape). Now, think how many times each day we expose our bodies to such twisting and turning motions each day (looking at the computer, unplugging the telly, doing to ironing, loading the washing machine, etc,etc, etc) and it is no surprise that we get aches and pains
. In an attempt to erradicate the stresses of such movements, someone comes up with the science of ergonomics
If we moved the way we were meant to move in the first place we wouldn't need this - it's like taking a tablet to erradicate the side effects of another tablet
. The Neuromuscular Approach actually suggests that aches and pains have nothing to do with the ageing process (as we often tend to use as an 'excuse') and it is due to our years of 'inefficient' movements. It's contributed to by our culture - when our body becomes uncomfortable our instinct is to move, but what happens in school - kids are told to 'stop fidgetting'. So, inadvertantley we are already starting to contribute to the aches and pains that these kids are going to get as they age
Also, we tend to 'blame' something on our sore backs, etc - i.e. it was digging the garden that gave me the bad back. In truth, the likliehood was the the digging was the 'icing on the cake' - the muscles around our back were already stressed and injured, and the motions involved in gardening just gave them that little extra required for them to 'stretch - like a stretched elastic band - it can maintain a certain amount of pressure for a long time, but add something to it and 'ping'
So, we already know that a baby moves 'efficiently' (correctly) which means that somewhere along the line we have trained ourself to move inefficiently (neaural pathways tend to remember things we put in) - this in turn means that we can re-train to efficient movement - preventing future injuries and treating re-current injuries.
Oh, sorry I'm getting a bit long winded here. Anyway, although your injuries are due to a trauma, this 'simple' exercise will help - do it often and you'll be surprised how quickly you notice improvements in your neck (and migraines). Ok, here's what to do..................... Imagine that a raindrop is dripping down the back of your shirt. Now, make the motion that you would with your neck to prevent the drop from running down your neck. Hold it there for as long as comfortable, then as you relax your neck allow your head to lift towards the ceiling and your shoulders to drop. If there is a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders you might even hear 'squelchie' noises as you do this. Repeat several times. STOP at any point you feel pain or discomfort. Do this several times every day.
Ooops, sorry for hogging the post - wanted to do my 'Good Samaratin' bit
Good luck.
PS If you go to a physiotherapist, ask if she has trained in the Neuromuscular Approach. If she/he hasn't, ask if it is possible to go to one that has.
