Why is my pain not going away?

You've been getting regular bodywork but you're still suffering from joint or muscle pain. You may have already tried massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care and other remedies. Maybe you even went to your doctor and ran some tests, but you're still unable to find a reason! I've heard this a lot, and sometimes the following three questions have helped.

1. Are you drinking enough water?

When I ask my clients if they're drinking enough water, they almost always say, "Yes!" And then, when I ask them how MUCH they're drinking, they almost usually report drinking about fifty percent of what they should. How does this relate to pain? If the body doesn't get enough electrolytes and water, muscle cramping and spasms can occur. At a minimum, drink ½ your body weight in ounces each day, and avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles. If you must buy filtered water, buy it in glass bottles. A better option would be filtering your water at home and carrying glass or stainless steel water bottles with you during the day.  

2.  Are you getting enough nutrients?  

The standard American diet contains a fraction of the necessary nutrients to keep your body in optimal health. Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamins B and C are among the nutrients needed for muscle and joint health. Consider adding a high quality multi vitamin and/or mineral supplement to your health routine, and increase your intake of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, and perhaps consult with a naturopath, a nutritionist, a chiropractor or other holistic healthcare practitioner about your nutritional needs.

3.  Are you carrying extra weight?

I work with pregnant clients quite a bit and have become familiar with the effects of the growing baby in the belly. Back, leg and hip muscles typically develop tension and pain as more weight is added to the front of the body. Fortunately for pregnant women, this problem is usually temporary. After baby is born, the body can return to normal and the muscle and joint pain will disappear.

Of course, if you're carrying extra weight around due to reasons other than pregnancy, waiting until the baby is born is not option for you. It may be time to release that weight and get some permanent relief.

According to Donald J. Frisco, MD, muscle and joint related pain is one of the most common problems related to extra weight,

Frisco says, "every pound adds strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back. In order to compensate for extra weight, the spine can become tilted and stressed unevenly. As a result, over time, the back may lose its proper support and an unnatural curvature of the spine may develop."

To learn more from Dr. Frisco about how weight release can affect your muscles and joints, check out this article.