Are aches and pains disrupting your daily routine? If you’re in need of fast-acting pain relief so you can get back to living your life, physical therapy can help.
In physical therapy, you’ll gain access to a customizable treatment program that will provide pain-relief and help combat fatigue.
Our highly trained physical therapists have successfully treated a wide range of conditions and can both relieve your pain and prevent it from happening again. Contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today for more information about the health benefits of physical therapy, and in the meantime, check out our helpful hints below.
1. Stay hydrated.
Did you know that proper hydration involves drinking around one-ounce of water for each pound of your body weight each day? Dehydration causes some serious negative effects on the body, including headaches, muscle cramps, and overall fatigue.
Try to start carrying a reusable water bottle with you as you move throughout your day. You’ll likely begin to notice that consistent hydration leads to increased energy and less severe pain symptoms. Drinking enough water each day can also help keep your appetite under control, which may help you avoid gaining extra weight!
2. Practice breathing exercises.
It is important to take some moments throughout your day to focus on your breathing. Focused breathing can help ease your pain and may even provide you with that extra energy burst you need to continue on with your day.
Take a few minutes every few hours to pause, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs as much as possible. Then, exhale through your mouth, keeping your lips slightly pursed to push the air out. For a few minutes, focus just on your breathing and you’ll be shocked at how much of a difference it can make.
Deep breathing exercises can be especially beneficial to those who experience anxiety.
3. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Moving is an essential aspect of any physical therapy program, as it helps relieve painful symptoms and improves your overall function. When you are in pain, it may seem tempting to rest or lie down all day, but safe exercise actually helps relieve pain at a much quicker rate than rest alone.
By getting up and moving around every hour or so, even by just taking a walk around your room or workplace, you are helping to decrease your pain and boost your energy. You don’t have to go to the gym or lift weights in order to feel the benefits of movement – practicing easy movements like walking or light swimming every day can usher in numerous health benefits.
4. Adjust the ergonomics of your desk.
When it comes to your pain and energy levels, the way you sit can be extremely influential. By avoiding an uncomfortable and painful seated position, you’ll be less fatigued at the end of a long day.
Your physical therapist may also suggest that you make some simple changes to your work environment to help you further reduce any aches and pains. A lumbar cushion, for example, can help reduce the amount of strain in your lower back as you sit.
5. Maintain proper posture.
Improving your posture can make a tremendous difference in how you feel overall. In physical therapy, you will receive a treatment plan that focuses on improving your posture now, and also equips you with the information and resources you need to maintain good posture in the future.
Simply standing and sitting with shoulders back, chest out, and spine straightened (instead of slumping over) is a great start. Your physical therapist can help you develop good posture habits that can relieve discomfort and pressure, giving you more energy to go through the day.
Contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today to get started!
Physical therapy is an excellent way to recover from old injuries, aches, and pains. Your physical therapist will employ a variety of powerful therapeutic techniques to relieve your pain and help you regain the energy you need to conquer your daily routine.
If you’re ready to start living an energized, pain-free life, use the tips above and contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today. Our team is looking forward to helping you!
