Pain, Body Awareness, and Inflammation

Ask Kiki

Sandra asked about how to recover after a few falls, suffering with body pain, and poor proprioception.

Kiki Says…

Pain and poor proprioception (awareness of movement and position of one's body) are heightened by stress and inflammation, which often go hand in hand. The chemicals released by the stress response are inflammatory and become especially dangerous when it seems stressors are turned on high alert 24/7. Other sources of inflammation are food and environment based. 

The book, Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health, from an Alzheimer's expert, shares compelling research that sugar is dangerous to our health and is responsible for our inflammation-based diseases including our current health crisis of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's, which the MD author believes is a form of diabetes. 

In other words no sugar!

Other common inflammation causing foods are gluten, dairy, and the “bad” oils. We all should be going back to nature and eating whole foods, but for those with ailments and illnesses, this path is imperative. I have seen remarkable changes in health over and over with these food and nourishment shifts.

Environmental causes include most airborne toxins that off gas, like pthalates, which are in the fragrances of commercial skin lotions, air fresheners, laundry detergents, etc. Pthalates, along with parabens and plastics, are endocrine disruptors and are now linked to cancer and infertility. So go green in all your home and personal care and begin to eliminate plastic exposure. My YouTube channel shares so many great affordable choices. Make one small change a week and over time you will have a great wellness foundation. Check out a couple of these videos here, here, and here.

The most valuable tools for reducing pain and stress while increasing peace of mind and calming the nerves are Ujjayi Breath and Alternate Nostril Breathing. I direct yoga programs for communities with Spinal Cord Injury, MS, MD, and other mobility and neurological concerns. I witness first hand how daily, informal practice of Ujjayi is benefiting those with pain, limited mobility, and neurological challenges while providing lasting benefits

Begin to incorporate mini Ujjayi breaks (10 to 20 breaths) several times a day and take Alternate Nostril breathing at least once a day. These two strategies will take less than 5 or 10 minutes and become invaluable tools.

Our lives, our minds, our wellbeing are gifts that we must honor and support with true health and love. Your work and participation in family and community are essential! I wish you true recovery on your healing journey.

And remember I am cheering you on!

Photo credit: Good Things Consulting via Visualhunt / CC BY