Woman’s Day (Australia)

UNPACK YOUR PAIN

Struggling with severe aches? We’ve got some answers

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PROBLEM AREA: BACK CULPRIT: STRESS?

“Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension, which itself lf can trigger pain in many areas reas of the back,” says leading Sydney ydney neurosurge­on Dr Richard Parkinson. “Exercise such as walking, yoga and simply ly stretching can provide relief.” ef.” For a more holistic approach, ch, chiropract­or Dr Caterina Massara suggests meditation, on, guided visualisat­ion, body scanning and slow, diaphragma­tic breathing daily to achieve relaxation and release the pressure on your back.

PROBLEM AREA: JOINTS CULPRIT: OSTEOARTHR­ITIS?

Osteoarthr­itis is one of the most chronic joint conditions in Australia. “It causes pain in joints and loss of mobility,” says NPS Medicinewi­se medical adviser Dr Jill Thistlethw­aite. Some people rely on opioids for managing the pain, but Jill says simple changes to your weight and exercise regimen can reduce the condition’s impact. “Think walking, water activities, tai chi, Pilates, cycling and dancing.”

PROBLEM AREA: WRIST CULPRIT: RSI?

“The most common form of wrist pain is RSI [repetitive strain injury],” says physiother­apist Heba Shaheed. “Holding muscles in certain positions for long times or repeating the same task can cause inflammati­on or scar tissue to form, leading to pain.” When it comes to treating RSI, visiting a physiother­apist should be your first port of call. “We can give you exercises, help you with your posture, tape your wrists and work with you to reduce your pain,” says Heba.

When it comes to body weight, Jill says for every kilogram lost, there is up to a 4kg reduction in the load exerted on the knee!

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