So, do you listen to YOUR body?
There are times when we feel SO proud of ourselves – for exercising, eating the right foods and remembering to choose clean, safe natural organic products. But why is it that when we begin to exercise and work out, we can end up in so much pain? Is it pre-ordained that we HAVE to get a back ache or aching legs? And what about the headaches that seems to go with ‘getting in shape’?

Our reaction really depends upon initial levels of fitness and any other conditions simmering in the background. We tend to forget what may have caused us to be sedentary. Whether it became too difficult to exercise daily or we actually had a major health event preventing us from exercising, underlying symptoms often show up when we resume exercising.

Then, of course, there are our ‘weekend warrior wounds’ from diving into extreme activity before we’re conditioned. Whether it’s a minor scrape, sprain or sunburn from over exposure, we need to take care of those injuries so they don’t become more serious. When we’re feeling pain, stop long enough to understand the core cause of the discomfort.

Sometimes an ‘injury’ can be visible as a painful swelling or as inflammation – an underlying condition exacerbated with even a slight change in routine such as a change in exercise intensity. When exercising or “playing”, I often recommend that families take along a natural, organic first aid kit in addition to standard bandaids and antibiotic salve. Additional items include safe4U™ SPF Total Body Sunscreen; Thera-P™ Relief Gel, an aloe vera gel or spray to cool and treat stings and bites; an essential oil like Helichrysum (Immortelle) for pain mitigation / treatment / mixing with the salve; and finally, a basic cleanser like Thera-P Foam or Sanitizer to use for a stage one wound care.

With our bodies assaulted by pollution, environmental stress and other toxins from the food we eat or products we use, we can also become extremely toxic. Recent research published by sources as varied as the Environmental Working Group and the National Geographic reveal alarming statistics of the body burden of toxic substances we carry. Having even a minor change in our habits or exposure can result in a rapid and often extreme response from a toxic body – some would call it a ‘healing crisis’ –requiring immediate intervention.

Remember, discomfort - all the way to pain - is our body communicating with us. For example, many of us have an occasional headache we deal with in a number of ways – from application of an ice pack to an over-the-counter analgesic medicine. But what about headaches that progress to migraines or come on suddenly with light sensitivity as a by-product. These situations have different levels of pain and the best course of action is to react as soon as the first “body talk” appears.

Knowing that one headache might be from too much sunlight, while a migraine might be triggered by allergies will allow an appropriate response. One of the simplest answers is to wipe off your hands, face and neck with a clean, cool cloth. Wiping away dust and pollens will remove particles that may be causing you to react to allergens – and develop the headache. Follow with an ice pack applied for about 20 minutes while lying or reclining. It may help relax muscles that begin to tighten as a response to pain. Many Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, Energy Therapists, etc. provide non-invasive allergies tests to determine if you are suffering from seasonal, food or environmental sensitivities.

Then there are the sprains, small cuts, blisters, abrasions and other souvenirs from weekend sports. Whether that means baseball, softball, racket ball, inner tubing the river or just running with your dog, the results can be the same. To be ready to deal with visible but minor injuries, have Sanitizer and Thera-P Relief Gel, a product that will work like a ‘bandaid in a bottle’, on hand. Thera-P Relief Gel will provide immediate relief / reduce inflammation if applied to the area after you sanitize it. However, if the injury is a sprain, broken bone or concussion, consulting a medical professional is important.

Wound and pain management should allow both patient or care taker to cleanse the wound, sanitize the wound area, begin mitigating any inflammation and bandage the wound as necessary. The items identified for inclusion in your personal First Aid kit will adequately deal with these injuries. Make sure yours is updated, restocked and ready for your summer fun!