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Managing Pain for Thanksgiving

Managing Pain for Thanksgiving
by 
Ashley Osier
MA, HHE, CPS, CSMT, CAMT, CAYT, CWHP

 It brings me great joy to live in a body that is fifteen years older and no longer limited 

by moment-to-moment pain.

I have many clients who travel during the holidays and often find themselves stiff from poorly made seats on planes, sore from beds at various locations, worn out from lack of down time and heavier from eating the extra food. If you find yourself in one or more of these categories, make sure you pack a care bag for your body. It will look different for each person, but here is a quick list I have put together for your travels. If you are already at your destination, don't lose heart. You should be able to easily pick up most of these items 
at the local drug store.

Travel pillow to support your neck
Tennis ball (1-3 depending upon if you use one on more than one point at a time)
Support braces
Ice pack
Biofreeze
Tiger Balm
Zheng Gu Shui
Peppermint (essential oil-uplifting overall and great to invigorate the feet-mix with lotion)
Use extra pillows when you sleep, if needed
Eye cover (headache sufferers/insomnia)
Hat/gloves (for those whose pain increases when too cold)


Make sure you micro-stretch during your flight and get up to walk around on flights that last more than 2 hours. Stretch when you arrive at your destination and each morning to keep your joints and muscles from getting stiff. If you wake up sore, use the tennis ball on some of the points I have recommended in previous articles. I have included a couple of other photos for points just behind the top of the shoulder, (TW15), in between the shoulders (UB38).  

You can also try using the ball on the backs of your legs while you are on a long flight. This will be especially helpful for those who get restless leg syndrome from long plane trips. 
Alternate legs every 5 minutes and make sure to move the ball from the knee to the glute crease or visa versa. Gently rocking your leg side to side will access inner and outer borders of the UB meridian and release leg tension. You will be surprised at how much better you feel during your flights.


Student on TW15 (in line with the earlobe/3 fingers out from the base of the neck)


Accessing UB38 
(1/2 way between top and bottom of scapula just on the outer edge of the 
ropy muscle band-erector spinae muscle)
Make sure to keep your arm over your chest so the scapula will draw out/laterally and allow you to fully access this point. If you are seated on a plane, simply let your "ball" arm rest across your lap. You can gently rock your body and press your chest into the ball for deeper pressure.


I hope everyone is having a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday! Contact me at ewsomatherapy@gmail.com if you would like to up a consultation, session, or attend a class.

 Joyfully,
Ashley


Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available on this blog is for general information purposes only. You agree that your use of this blog is at your sole risk. Consult your physician before beginning any stretch, exercise or self-acupressure suggestion. By using this site, you are agreeing to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Ashley Osier against any and all losses, expenses, damages and costs resulting from using the information contained within this blog. 

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