Headaches - Caffeine & Pills

We all suffer from headaches from time to time. When I was a child I suffered from headaches and migraines frequently, so I am no stranger to Anadin and co.
    There are many triggers; tension, stress, poor diet, dehydration, bright lights, strong odours etc.

    This post is a look at how we can improperly use painkillers to treat pain without knowing it...or...are perhaps too stubborn to acknowledge the fact and do something about it.   

   So recent studies show that the analgesic properties acetaminophen or paracetamol is facilitated by caffeine and this applies to the likes of aspirin or their mixtures. Some companies even touch upon this on certain commercials.

The study is quoted below

   '"On a double-blind basis, a single oral dose of ibuprofen (50, 100, or 200 mg), a combination of ibuprofen, 100 mg, with caffeine, 100 mg, a combination of ibuprofen, 200 mg, with caffeine, 100 mg, or placebo was randomly assigned to 298 outpatients with postoperative pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molars. With a self-rating record, subjects rated their pain and its relief hourly for 8 hours. All active treatments were significantly superior to placebo, and the caffeine effect was significant for every measure of analgesia. Relative potency estimates indicated that the combination was 2.4 to 2.8 times as potent as ibuprofen alone. The combination also had a more rapid onset and longer duration of analgesic action. The analgesic adjuvancy of caffeine clearly extends to combinations with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs other than acetaminophen or aspirin."'

Effect of caffeine on ibuprofen analgesia in postoperative oral surgery pain.

Source : Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

Ergo... over the counter painkillers contain caffeine to make the pills work faster. Without caffeine painkillers would be slow and less effective. As one might imagine, slow working meds offer up the opportunity for "accidental" abuse by those who just want to get rid of their toothache for example. 

Barbie's cocktail doesn't sit well in her tum.  

 So it's not a bad idea to boost the pills power. If you're a heavy caffeine drinker and you suddenly take it out of your diet, you might experience caffeine withdrawal which normally involves - yes you've guessed it - ANOTHER HEADACHE!


   Also, let us not forget the Rebound Headache which you get from having too much caffeine with caffeine-laden pills. If you're already taking a painkiller with caffeine as an ingredient, there is certainly no need to drink extra coffee or energy drinks containing caffeine right? Well some of us do.



   Mixing caffeine with painkillers is common practice amongst people forced to work long shifts or those dealing with various medical complaints that they desire relief from. The symptoms are not unlike that of cocaine but much more mild of course.

   Furthermore the effects of painkillers are greatly enhanced by Energy drinks containing Taurine ( you'll find that in drinks like Redbull ). All that caffeine, glucose and sugar plus Taurine is just a recipe for Adrenal fatigue ( but that's another blog ).

   So now we essentially have a rather dangerous cocktail of painkillers and energy drinks. What do you get for your dollar?

   You get the buzz without the light-headed feeling you would get if you drank too much caffeine. You can expect this buzz for a few hours depending on weight, height, age etc. Oh and don't forget the refreshing fizz! It actually puts a lot of strain on your vital organs and tends to leave you with withdrawal,  headache, generally feeling dependent, drained and/or ill ... ... and the cycle repeats.

   So the advice here isn't to stop taking painkillers or even to stop drinking energy drinks...it's to stop taking them together. If you're addicted to caffeine like most of the western world you're doing your one and only body a disservice by mixing up this addictive cocktail. My suggestion is to pick a side and consider what the long term affects might be.

Natural Healing | Massage Therapy | Yoga Massage by Joey George Brighton/London 

 www.theoilstudio.co.uk

Shoulders - Getting in Deep

So today I'm suffering a little discomfort in the Rhomboid region due to slouching and possibly a rough night's sleep. Remember that sore shoulders can be caused by a variety of things but more commonly it's down to improper posture or overexertion. Severe pain in this area can also indicate a heart attack or gallstones. It's always safer to consult a medical professional in severe cases.

So the band of muscle we're looking at is highlighted above. How can we alleviate some of that discomfort without resorting to full body yoga stretches requiring Lara Croft-like balance?

***

The image below shows a simple warm up stretch which you can DO YOURSELF (seated or standing) as long as it doesn't cause you any additional pain.

For an ADVANCED STRETCH.

(Part A) Keeping both hands clenched, slowly lower the right elbow. The aim is to have it pointing towards the ground while the elevated left elbow is pointing slightly beyond "twelve"..almost "one o'clock". If you can achieve this, you will find that your chin has been pulled into your chest. 

If you prefer, use the right hand pull gently at the left elbow.

 
(Part B) Now, gently and slowly raise your chin and HOLD IT for 5 secs remembering to BREATHE...
...and then gently lower your chin again. Repeat just a couple of times, extending your count a little more each time.

Obviously you can swap over arms...however remember just because you achieve a good stretch on you left side, it doesn't mean you'll get the same response out of the right side. It's normal. However, it's an imbalance that can be adjusted over time (usually).

This advanced stretch can be guided & facilitated by a therapist in Yoga Massage. 

***

Following this I recommend the "IMAGINARY BALL SQUEEZE" or the "shoulder blade squeeze". Sorry it's actually not as hilarious as it sounds. So the idea is simple you imagine you're gripping a ball between your shoulder blades.

• Keep your back straight and slightly lower your chin.
• Shoulders slightly back and elbows back.
• Slowly tighten the Rhomboids by squeezing the blades together. Imagine you're holding a small ball between them. But you must hold on to that ball TIGHTLY for a minimum of 5 secs initially. When you relax (release the ball) gently lower the shoulders, keeping your chest out and consider rolling your shoulders backwards a couple of times for a DIY massage.
• Do not slump them forward. 
• Repeat and hold for 10, 20 or 30 secs etc. It can be tiring but it's a strengthening technique.

In Yoga Massage this technique is made easier and reaches in deeper by having the "squeeze" facilitated by the therapist.

TRY IT. 

***

Natural Healing | Massage Therapy | Yoga Massage by Joey George Brighton/London 

 www.theoilstudio.co.uk

The need to stretch

I am by no means a yoga expert but I do dabble. I find it helps me maintain a healthy posture and like many people, I offer up quite a lazy posture. My Mother hates it when I slouch. When I register my own slouching, I note how terrible I must appear and I immediately correct myself.
     I also use yoga in the deep-stretch sessions I offer my clients. If like myself you often push yourself a little too hard in the area of exercise you may find your muscles sore on occasion. A good remedy (as most health gurus will tell you) is stretching. Stretching before and afterwards.
   I've recently hiked up Mount Snowdon in Wales, with no prior experience and my legs are truly aching, however, I've manage to quell the pain somewhat through stretching and keeping my leg muscles gently moving even while I'm sat stationary.  Some yoga stretches and poses can appear quite ridiculous, but what I find useful about yoga is that it allows me to access muscles and offer them relief on my own. It is by no means as relaxing as receiving a massage but when a therapist isn't to hand, yoga comes in handy. It's  DIY muscle therapy.

The model above is performing one of my favorite stretches. It looks like she's trying to sniff her own feet but this stretch targets the posterior leg muscles & hamstrings and by sightly extending her booty she can gain a deeper stretch, while the shoulders get a good wringing out too! Here the affect of gravity on her arms essentially massages the tight muscle in the shoulders and all she does is allow gravity to do all the hard work. TRY IT.  If you can push out your palms, you can force a deeper stretch.

Go in slow, keep your feet slightly apart, keep legs straight as you can and remember to BREATHE into your stretch. Hold it for as long as you feel comfortable and don't push any stretch beyond your capabilities. My upper body yoga-massage sessions uses this position amongst others to target that niggling ache we can develop between the shoulder blades.

Seem familiar? This is one of my personal  key areas of discomfort. It's my bad posture. It can be caused by a number of things but it's definitely one of the most common complaints I get from clients. Discomfort in this area is more than likely to be a Rhomboid issue. Either identify and correct whatever it is you are doing wrong or go see a GP. A massage therapist can only offer relief, but the pain will probably persist if you don't correct your old bad habits.