Awakening the body from Winter

So since the weather has sprung into Spring we have been noticing lots of random body aches, sprains and sciatic pain in the clinic.

These body symptoms have literally come out of nowhere, with no real explanation of why they have occurred.

Well Chinese Medicine has the answer; you see through Winter the bodies Qi (chi) has gone deep into the organs and the muscles have slightly contracted, due to the cold. We haven't been sweating as much so even our pores have been less active. You may have noticed if you work out or do that exercise thing that your body needs to warm up a bit longer before you feel agile and flexible. Even simple things like getting out of bed in the morning or out of a chair or the car, can make you feel that you are stiffer then you remember. Well this is your bodies response to Winter and now its waking up.

So then along comes Spring with its flash of heat and wind then back to cold and our body keeps flipping from warm to cold. Our muscles expand and contract with this temperature change and as they try to adjust this is when we can crick our back or neck, ending up with these weird aches and strains from not really doing anything. 

What you can do; Move slowly, allow your body time to warm up, make time to stretch the muscles before you bounce out of bed, even bending or reaching for things needs to be slow as your muscles are still coming out of hibernation.. Drink at least 1.5 litres of water before 3pm, sipping helps the water stops to the toilet. Include a good supplement of magnesium to your day as this helps the muscles to relax plus add in foods that are high in Mg+ ; dark chocolate (it must be over 70% cocoa though), avocado, nuts, legumes and tofu to name a few. Start to increase your exercise cardio slowly giving the muscles time to wake up. Keep that jacket and scarf handy for when the weather changes and enclosed shoes help to keep the body warm plus these will all support your immune system.

Here comes the heat so enjoy this last bit of cooler weather.

Best Tabitha