Prevention is Better Than Cure
27 August 2012
Prevention is better than Cure as the old phrase goes. So how do we prevent our injuries from occurring in the first place?
Posture:
If our posture is right, we are in balance. If we are out of alignment, other muscles take the load and problems occur. So don’t slouch your shoulders or overly straighten like a military soldier. The back should be straight but relaxed. Head and shoulders back with slight inward curve at the lumbar spine.
Stretching:
A general stretching routine everyday is great for keeping you flexible. It only takes about 5/10 minutes to give every main muscle in the body a stretch. Work from moving the neck all way down to the calves and feet. Many videos can be found on youtube about stretching
Massage:
I advise all my clients that a regular massage every 4/6 weeks is of great benefit. Especially if you sit all day or stand all day at work. If you have a manual job or if you are into a lot of sports.
Muscles get used, abused, get tight and out of shape so a good massage with the right therapist helps to get everything loosened and all those knots removed. This will keep you in better shape therefore helping to prevent those aches and pains.
Diet & water:
This will have an effect as to how well the body heals itself. Drink your water, please refer to my previous blog on, “Water, Do You Drink Enough” and eat a healthy balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and proper foods. This means the body can work more efficiently so therefore heal better.
Strengthening:
Strengthening the body as a whole and getting every muscle working is great to prevent injury as they are stronger. Muscles which are generally weaker on the majority of people are the upper and low back, hamstrings and rotator cuffs of the shoulder. A general strengthening routine will be good in general but going to see a therapist to find which muscles are weak for you will be more of a benefit and then getting exercises to strengthen these areas will definitely help prevent you from getting injuries.
For some people this may mean doing an intense weights routine. Others this may mean doing light weights and for some Yoga or Pilates will help to strengthen the muscles in a lighter but very effective way.
“Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”