Although I certainly recommend injury prevention whenever possible, sometimes you end up getting hurt. And if you are over the age of forty or fifty, you will notice that the healing process is definitely slower than when you were young. So it is vital that we do everything in our power to assist that healing process in the body, rather than interrupt or interfere with it.
If you have been reading this blog for a while now, it will come as no surprise that my first recommendation is to drink more water. How do I know that you need to drink more than you already do? Simple. Just about no one drinks enough water! If you are in pain, drinking more water and fully hydrating all your tissues can make a big difference. Many people completely stop aching when they finally drink enough water. Two liters per day is only the bare minimum. Go for at least three liters per day and see how you feel. Mr. Balancing Act swears he needs a full gallon per day before he starts feeling better. If you workout hard, sweat a lot, drink caffeinated beverages, drink alcohol, use forced-air heating or air conditioning, take diuretic medications (of which there are MANY!) you will need to compensate by drinking even more water.
In addition, there are foods and supplements that can encourage healing. Omega-3 fish oils are naturally anti-inflammatory. They have been shown to help joints function better and also can assist in stabilizing moods and hunger signals in the brain. Eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines is great as well as taking a fish oil supplement daily. Wild game and grass-fed beef, eggs, and butter are also high in omega-3's.
Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil also contains a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have shown that the first pressing of the olives elicits the highest levels of a compound that acts just like ibuprofen in our bodies, reducing both inflammation and pain.
And tart cherries contain a similar anti-inflammatory compound in the highest levels known in any food substance. Tart cherry juice has been tested by women over 40 with osteoarthritis. Drinking 10.5 ounces of the juice twice per day was shown to have lowered inflammation in their joints after only 3 weeks. Another study showed that athletes who drank tart cherry juice before running a race or doing intensive strength training felt less pain afterwards and bounced back faster than those who did not. (See baltimoresun.com for full article by Karen Ravn.)
In addition, it might be helpful to also eliminate sources of inflammation from your diet. You may not even realize that you are sensitive to some of these typical culprits: wheat/gluten, soy, corn, most grains, dairy, nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), MSG, sulfites and other preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. Try eliminating some or all of these for at least a week (a month would be better!) and notice if your symptoms change. If your symptoms improve, you might try adding one food back at a time and see what happens.
A couple of spices are particularly important for healing. Turmeric and ginger are both anti-inflammatory as well as highly anti-oxidant. You can stir these into a hot beverage for a delicious, warming drink. Or whip up an Indian curry.
And let's not forget the most important factor in healing from any sickness or injury: REST! Be sure to get enough high-quality sleep at night and enough rest and relaxation during your waking hours. Pushing your body to do too much too soon after an injury will slow the healing process and potentially worsen that injury. Listen carefully to the wisdom of your body. If you feel tired, rest more!
Please take good care of yourself and let me know if any of these recommendations help or hinder your healing.
If you have been reading this blog for a while now, it will come as no surprise that my first recommendation is to drink more water. How do I know that you need to drink more than you already do? Simple. Just about no one drinks enough water! If you are in pain, drinking more water and fully hydrating all your tissues can make a big difference. Many people completely stop aching when they finally drink enough water. Two liters per day is only the bare minimum. Go for at least three liters per day and see how you feel. Mr. Balancing Act swears he needs a full gallon per day before he starts feeling better. If you workout hard, sweat a lot, drink caffeinated beverages, drink alcohol, use forced-air heating or air conditioning, take diuretic medications (of which there are MANY!) you will need to compensate by drinking even more water.
In addition, there are foods and supplements that can encourage healing. Omega-3 fish oils are naturally anti-inflammatory. They have been shown to help joints function better and also can assist in stabilizing moods and hunger signals in the brain. Eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines is great as well as taking a fish oil supplement daily. Wild game and grass-fed beef, eggs, and butter are also high in omega-3's.
Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil also contains a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have shown that the first pressing of the olives elicits the highest levels of a compound that acts just like ibuprofen in our bodies, reducing both inflammation and pain.
And tart cherries contain a similar anti-inflammatory compound in the highest levels known in any food substance. Tart cherry juice has been tested by women over 40 with osteoarthritis. Drinking 10.5 ounces of the juice twice per day was shown to have lowered inflammation in their joints after only 3 weeks. Another study showed that athletes who drank tart cherry juice before running a race or doing intensive strength training felt less pain afterwards and bounced back faster than those who did not. (See baltimoresun.com for full article by Karen Ravn.)
In addition, it might be helpful to also eliminate sources of inflammation from your diet. You may not even realize that you are sensitive to some of these typical culprits: wheat/gluten, soy, corn, most grains, dairy, nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), MSG, sulfites and other preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. Try eliminating some or all of these for at least a week (a month would be better!) and notice if your symptoms change. If your symptoms improve, you might try adding one food back at a time and see what happens.
A couple of spices are particularly important for healing. Turmeric and ginger are both anti-inflammatory as well as highly anti-oxidant. You can stir these into a hot beverage for a delicious, warming drink. Or whip up an Indian curry.
And let's not forget the most important factor in healing from any sickness or injury: REST! Be sure to get enough high-quality sleep at night and enough rest and relaxation during your waking hours. Pushing your body to do too much too soon after an injury will slow the healing process and potentially worsen that injury. Listen carefully to the wisdom of your body. If you feel tired, rest more!
Please take good care of yourself and let me know if any of these recommendations help or hinder your healing.
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