AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016 - 86

▲ H E A LT H to be advised to go to bed - on as hard a surface as they could bear - and stay there until they were better. Nowadays, however, the thinking is that this can be counter-productive and it is better to remain active. If the pain is too severe to move much, take it gently and do a little more each day. Those with chronic back pain may be sent to a physiotherapist to improve their range of movement. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to manage the pain. The WHEN YOU'RE IN transcutaneous PAIN BREATHE electrical nerve SLOWLY AND stimulation (TENS) DEEPLY. THIS WILL machine is becoming HELP TO KEEP YOU increasingly popular RELAXED. for long-term back pain. A Naturepulse machine, which is used at home, brings relief by increasing blood flow to the affected areas (www. naturepulse.co.uk). Complementary therapies are increasingly popular for combating pain, including chiropractic, osteopathy and acupuncture. In laser acupuncture, developed by rheumatologist Dr Dhiya Houssien, an LED light beam is used on affected areas not only to reduce pain but also to aid tissue repair and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. For more information, visit www.drdia.com/ london/en.html Deep breaths suffering Headaches: Over-the-counter from bad painkillers and relaxation techniques can help with tension headaches. backs, Sumatriptan is commonly used caused by to treat cluster headaches. For migraine, painkillers such as badly sized the triptans group of medicines, which school make blood vessels around the brain chairs. contract, are best taken as soon as symptoms start. Visit www.patient. info/health/triptans for details. 086 | NOVEMBER 2016 LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS Back pain: Most types of back pain will get better on their own, but gentle exercise such as walking and stretching can relieve your symptoms. These activities also help to build strength and balance, thereby reducing further episodes. Changing your sleeping position can help. If you sleep on your side, pull up your legs and put a pillow between them. If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees to help maintain the curve of your spine. For more details, see www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain Arthritis: A good diet and regular exercise will keep your muscles strong, which is good for osteoarthritis. It will also help to control your weight, easing the pressure on your joints and reducing pain. In rheumatoid arthritis, it's important to strike a balance between rest (to ease inflammation) and activity (to prevent joints becoming stiff). High-impact exercise is best avoided, however low-impact activities, such as yoga, can be helpful. For more information visit www.arthritisresearchuk.org Headaches: Becoming familiar with your triggers enables you to avoid them and prevent headaches. The main triggers are related to stress, diet, the environment and hormones. Sleep also plays a part, so be sure to get enough - but not too much. For more details, visit www. webmd.boots.com WORDS: HAZEL TILLEY, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES PEOPLE WITH BACK PAIN USED TO BE ADVISED TO GO TO BED, BUT NOW THE THINKING IS TO REMAIN ACTIVE Arthritis: Drugs to treat osteoarthritis include analgesics, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin. They can help people with this type of arthritis to lead a healthy and active life. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can help to stop the progress of rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the DID YOU effects of the chemicals released when the immune system attacks the joints. KNOW? Other treatments include Increasing osteopathy, physiotherapy and numbers of acupuncture. Check online for practitioners working in your area. children are http://naturepulse.co.uk http://www.drdia.com/ http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain http://www.patient http://webmd.boots.com

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