Skip to main content

A Writer’s Guide to Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints

There are many causes of stiff muscles and joints depending on your overall health. In some cases, it can be the root of an underlying issue while other times it’s a simple diagnosis. Many people will recover in a short period of time, but some people are stuck suffering from stiffness throughout their daily life.


Symptoms can range from stiff knee pain to stiffness after sitting or worse; having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning because the stiffness is so intense. Regardless of your range of motion, these symptoms can be debilitating in so much that they also cause psychological issues such as stress and anxiety.


Whether you deal with stiff knee pain or stiff muscles and joints overall, there are ways to reduce the pain and suffering. Here are some tips on how to deal with stiff muscles and joints if you’re a writer that sits all day.


9 Tips for How to Deal With Stiff Muscles and Joints


The first thing you should do when you notice stiff muscles or joints is to determine the cause. It could be something as simple as an insect bite, or something as severe as the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you think it’s just a strain that will go away on its own, there are still some things you can do to prevent inflammation from getting worse.


Get Plenty of Rest


Even while too much rest can be an underlying cause of stiffness, it’s also important to make sure that you’re getting the proper amount of sleep. Sleep restores the body after each day and allows your cells, joints, and muscles to rejuvenate. Without enough rest, your body will be overworked and stressed which is a cocktail for disaster.


Even getting up from your computer and resting for a few minutes at a time during the day can be enough to help relieve pain associated with stiffness in your muscles and joints.


Ease Into Activity


Stiffness after sitting is one of the most common complaints of writers. It’s important to ease into your activities each day, whether that be performing exercises and stretches, having your morning coffee, or sitting down at your desk to start writing. Don’t push yourself too hard when you’re experiencing stiffness or it could get worse.


Hot or Cold Compress


Both hot and cold compresses work well for joint and muscle stiffness. You can use a cold compress to help numb the pain and reduce inflammation. Try this for 15-20 minutes at a time a few times per day.


A hot or warm compress or even a warm shower or bath will help relax muscles and increase circulation.


Exercise


Exercising and stretching are key components to help reduce swelling and inflammation in your joints and muscles. Pick out a program that you can perform first thing in the morning to get your day started off right. Pick another set of stretches for your mid-morning and afternoon breaks to break up the monotony of sitting all day.


Massage


You can give yourself a massage if you can reach the areas that are bothering you. If not, investing in a professional massage at least once per month can help alleviate symptoms of stiffness and help you relax. You can also talk to your doctor about prescribing physical therapy which can not only ease your pain but also teach you how to manage it carefully.


OTC Medications


There are several over the counter, or OTC medications directed toward muscle and joint pain or stiffness. Look for NSAIDS which stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Common NSAIDS include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen.


It’s always a good idea to discuss medications that you plan to take with your doctor, especially if you’re already taking other prescription medications (whether they’re for inflammation or not).


Steroids


Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation from stiff muscles and joints. While this treatment option may not be extremely beneficial to those suffering from arthritis, it does often work in mild cases. Talk to your doctor about your options.


Supplements for Stiff Joints


Many supplements serve as amazing body stiffness remedies. You can also try essential oils and even CBD creams and oils such as those found at Floyds of Leadville. These are natural remedies that can help you avoid using medications.


You may also try taking fish oil supplements or consuming flaxseed. Fish oil contains unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids that lubricate your joints. The recommended dose is 300 milligrams (mg) per day.


Flaxseed also contains omega-3 fatty acids as well as alpha-linolenic acid, also known as ALA, which can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of joint stiffness.


When to See Your Doctor


If your stiffness comes on suddenly or doesn’t resolve after about a week, it’s time to contact your doctor. You should be sure to let them know about symptoms that you’re experiencing such as severe pain, swelling, inability to move, or intense redness and heat to the touch. Even though joint stiffness isn’t that uncommon, it could be a sign of something more serious so don’t try toughing it out on your own without enlisting the help of a professional.


Final Thoughts


Writers can be prone to stiff muscles and joints after hours of sitting. It’s important to maintain good and proper posture while you’re working in order to avoid inflammation. And make sure to drink plenty of fluids, preferably water to help your body stay hydrated.


If you’re prone to stiff joints in the morning, you may benefit from incorporating an evening routine to prepare for the following day. Set up a carpool for taking the kids to school or make lunch and lay out all of your essentials so that you don’t have to spend time in the morning worrying about it. It’s also a good idea to invest in certain home office necessities such as back support for your chair or dual monitors to reduce strain.


Whatever you do to ease the pain of stiff muscles and joints, make sure to take it slow. Stress can have a significant impact on how you’re feeling so try to be aware of your pain but not focused on it.


The post A Writer’s Guide to Dealing With Stiff Muscles and Joints appeared first on ArticleCity.com.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Quiting Smoking Is Not an Easy Task

Quitting smoking is not an easy task. After you stop smoking, there quite a few physical and neurological symptoms your body goes through. Depression is also among the most common negative effects of quitting smoking. Catchy slogans make people mindful of the need to stop smoking because of its life-threatening consequences on health. There are a number of memories and habits connected with smoking, for instance, some folks start their day using a cup of coffee and a cigarette. Now that we've seen the psychological unwanted side effects of stopping smoking, let's also take a look at physical ones. Stopping smoking is the start of the program that may help cleanse the body after many years of toxin development. Smoking causes buildup of toxins within the body particularly in the lungs. Once somebody quits smoking, the body attempts to eradicate the damaging chemicals which might have accumulated overtime. Your lungs begin to clear out mucus and other smoking debris, whilst ...
Post a Comment
Read more

5 Cyber Security Marketing Challenges (and Solutions)

The internet has transformed the way that we work, communicate, and seek out entertainment. While this has opened up many new opportunities, it has also created a variety of new risks. These risks have developed a whole new industry in cyber security. Estimates indicate that spending in this sector could exceed $1 trillion in the next five years . Even with the growth in this industry, a robust digtal marketing strategy is still essential. If you want to learn how cyber security marketing could expand your success, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the main challenges for cyber security marketers, and the way to overcome them. A Crowded Marketplace One of the biggest challenges of entering a growing marketplace is the increased competition. In order to avoid being drowned out by other voices, new cyber security businesses must seek to differentiate themselves. One way to set your firm apart is by highlighting your accomplishments. For example, NENS , a cyber securi...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ultimate Budget Guide for Freelancers: Learning When to Save and When to Splurge

Over 57.3 million Americans currently engage in some form of freelance work, and research shows that the majority of workers will freelance by 2027. For a new freelancer, it can be scary to navigate money and create an effective budget guide when your income isn’t always steady. Fortunately, we’ve got the guide to help you learn how to manage your money- and splurge with ease. Let’s get to it! Track Your Money This is the first step for all freelancers, and it may be the most important step of all. You need to know where your money is going! And, no, that doesn’t just mean checking your bank account “every so often” to make sure that you’re in the clear. To actually make an effective budget guide, you need to know how much you’re spending and how much you’re saving. Are you spending too much on groceries each month? Too much on eating takeout? Too much on little impulse buys that don’t feel like much of anything- until you add...
Post a Comment
Read more