>U Mom Knows Best: March 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

BELIEVE Debuts on Blu-ray and DVD April 11


I am excited for the release of BELIEVE! I can't wait until I can buy a copy of this movie! Look for this movie in stores on April 11th, 20017. This movie was awesome and helps one have faith even in the worst of times.

  You’ll believe in miracles when BELIEVE debuts on Blu-ray and DVD April 11 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Starring Ryan O’Quinn (“Alias,” “Dad Dudes”), Danielle Nicolet (Central Intelligence, “Born Again Virgin”), Shawnee Smith (Saw, Anger Management), and Isaac Ryan Brown (“How To Get Away With Murder,” “Blackish”), the inspirational film follows a small town business owner as he struggles with the financial responsibility of funding the annual Christmas pageant while trying to maintain his family business. When he meets a young boy and his mother, their newfound friendship impacts his life in a way he never could have expected.

Join the cast and crew as they take you behind-the-scenes in the beautiful state of Virginia with the “Faith Is Everywhere: The Making of Believe” featurette. Bonus materials also include a hilarious blooper reel and deleted scenes.

 Synopsis:
For years, the small town of Grundy, Virginia has relied on the Peyton family to provide the highlight of the year—the annual Christmas pageant. When Matthew Peyton (Ryan O’Quinn) inherits the family business, the responsibility of the Christmas pageant also falls on his shoulders. But as financial hardships fall on the town, Matthew finds himself overwhelmed. As his business profits plummet and his workers begin to strike, Matthew is forced to make a decision between selling the family business and canceling the beloved pageant or sticking out hardships despite his rapidly declining popularity in the community. Through chance events, Matthew meets Clarence (Isaac Ryan Brown), a boy who believes in miracles, and his mother Sharon (Danielle Nicolet). His newfound friends impact Matthew’s life in a way he never thought possible and teach him to believe and give faith a chance.

Directed and written by Billy Dickson, BELIEVE was produced by Nelson Diaz, Ben Holmes, Jacob Patrick, and Kevin Sizemore; with Billy Dickson and Ryan O'Quinn, serving as executive producers.  

DVD Extras Include:
  Faith Is Everywhere: The Making of Believe
  Blooper Reel
  Deleted Scenes

BELIEVE has a run time of approximately 119 minutes and is rated PG.

Could A Sheet Of Silicone Help Reduce Those Wrinkles?

                                                The things we will do to look beautiful.

 
I am always trying out beauty products to see how they work. So when a company asked me if I wanted to try their products that had these sheets of silicone, I just had to say yes as I wanted to see if they worked. When I first put on these sheets of silicone, my husband had a good laugh and asked me why. I told him that these sheets could help reduce those fine lines and wrinkles. He then asked me how long do I have to wear them. I told him at least an hour but up to 8 hours. He suggested that I wear them out of the house. Men! They sometimes don't understand. Well, I am sure you don't understand either, right now. So let me explain how these silicone sheets are suppose to work. The below picture gives an illustration of how the silicon sheets tighten, smooths, lifts, and restores the skin to help with the wrinkles. This is a picture of skin from the website so click on the picture for a better explanation.

                                      How Do Silicone Fusion Treatments Work?

 Let me show you the kit that I was sent along with the silicone sheets from Dermaclara. These products when used together in three easy steps will help treat wrinkles, stretch marks, and skin damage. So I just had to put this kit to the test and try it out.


  So I followed all the steps on the sheet that came with my kit. The Calarapulse(a vibrating scrubber) felt nice when I used it to scrub away the dirt with the Claraprep cleanser. Step two had me use the Claraline(a peptide serum) with this cool Claratone(massaging) tool that helps products absorb better into the skin, it felt like a mini face massage. Step two also had me put the sheets of silicone on my face for at least an hour. This sheets reminded me of when I put a bandaid on a cut and it helps keep the moisture in to help it heal. The sheets felt weird and it was hard to talk and smile with them on. The silicone sheets had to be on my face that way to encourage the natural healing process. A bonus was that it made eating hard so I did not snack. After I wore the silicone sheets for an hour, I nourished my skin with the Clarasome and Claralips. My skin felt so soft. I took before and after photos of my face and I did notice a little bit of change. That is quite encouraging for me. I need to try wearing the silicone sheets for longer and for more days! Dermaclara has a 60-day guarantee as they say you will see results before that. 

         Take a look at the areas on the right around my mouth. I am amazed at the small difference. I hate smiling because of these lines. I usually sleep on this side of my face so I wonder if that is why I have deeper lines here. I really need to wear the silicone sheet to bed and sleep with my head facing the other way.

 This kit was fairly easy to use but it did take some time to follow all the steps. Step one of the kit included a small hand held face exfoliator and I keep that in my shower along with the Claraprep so I can use them regularly. I really want to see those deep lines on my bottom of my face go away so I will be trying my hardest to use the products in the kit at least several times a week if not more.
I will update this post with pictures after I use the products and wear the silicone sheets for a month or so. For now, you can go to the Dermaclara website and check out the kit that I received and other products. I love that you don't have to buy the whole kit. You can try a couple of the products and remember Dermaclara does offer the 60-day guarantee. The website also has before and after photos that you can look at too.

                                  https://www.dermaclara.com/



"These opinions are my own and I received the above-mentioned to facilitate this post."

Free Larabar Single Serve Bar


Free Larabar Single Serve Bar Receive ONE (1) FREE Larabar or Larabar Fruit + Greens Single Serve Bar, any variety (1.2-1.8 oz.). Available in Most Stores.
Exp 04/16/2017



This Friday, March 31th, 2017– ONLY, you can load a coupon to your Kroger (or Affiliate) Plus Card for FREE  V8 +Energy Singles 
Although 03/31/17 is the only day that you can load the coupon, the coupon offer is redeemable through 04/16/2017

                 http://kroger.softcoin.com/programs/kroger/freefri/

                I love Friday Freebies!

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Physical Health

In some ways, it is strange that we separate the term ‘mental health’ into its own section at all. After all - it’s still health. It’s still something that’s happening to the body, to a person, isn’t it?


The distinction probably comes from the fact we can’t outright see a mental health condition. As those who suffer from so-called “invisible conditions” can attest, it’s harder to cope when your illness or disability is hidden from view. It’s a lot harder for someone to disagree with a plaster cast up to someone’s hip limiting them than it is to accept the same limits on someone who just says: “I’m stressed”.




There are many people who seem to think messages like the one featured above are the answer to all mental health problems. People just need to think positively! Try not to think like that! Positivity is the answer!


Which seems all well and good, but you wouldn’t tell someone with a fractured wrist to just think positively and then be able to lift a barbell. Positive thinking has its place, but that place is not in the treatment of mental health.


The “Invisible” Aspect


It’s a fair assumption that the invisible factor is why mental health is still treated as the poor cousin when it comes to healthcare. For sufferers, this attitude can make things even worse.


And not only does it make things worse - it’s also wrong.


Mental Health = Physical Health


If you have a mental health condition, it can manifest in many, many physical ways. We’ve all heard of sticky palms when you’re nervous, so it should be no surprise that those with chronic anxiety disorders can suffer from physical illness. If grief - itself “invisible” - can cause people’s health to fail (as is the case with Broken Heart Syndrome), then it’s obvious that simple thoughts can have serious physical impacts.


Not only that, but poor mental health can also result in destructive behaviors that require the assistance of professionals, counseling, or even a treatment center to resolve. The areas of life that suffering from a mental health condition can compromise are legion.


Problems Mental Health Causes


It’s therefore, worth bearing in mind that if you have a physical health problem, your mental health may be contributing to it.


For example: maybe your weight loss is not going how you intended. If you’re not getting enough sleep and/or are stressed, then the raised level of the hormone cortisol in your blood could make it very difficult for you to lose weight even on a calorie-controlled diet.


Furthermore, anxiety disorders have been speculated to lead to an increase in a condition called adrenal fatigue. People with diagnosed depressive issues are more likely to become ill with colds and ‘flu.

So whatever your physical woes, always remember that your mental health needs to be focused on too. They are, after all, one and the same.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Keep Diaper Leaks Away With Luvs And Save Money Too With A Great Coupon

Disclosure: This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.
A day in the life of a mom is very busy, especially if you have a baby. For most moms that means laundry, play dates, snack time, nap time, and more. Then there are the endless diaper changes. The last thing moms need is a leaky diaper. Luvs wants to make a busy mom’s life a bit easier with help in keeping those leaks in the diaper where they belong and not all over clothes. The last thing we moms need is more laundry, especially at 2 AM! A dry baby is a happy baby so Luvs designed their diaper to be contoured to hug the baby for a great fit. These diapers are also made with super soft cottony material so they feel gentle on your baby’s skin.
  


Did you know that Luvs are also great for nighttime too? Luvs features Nightlock Plus and super absorbent leakguards so your baby will maybe just sleep better. The large re-fastenable stretch tabs make diapering easy too so even dads can give the baby a secure diaper. I just love the Luvs Money Back Guarantee which means if you are not happy with these diapers they will refund your money. See www.luvsdiapers.com for details.

I have another great reason to love Luvs diapers! You can save $2.00 off a package of Luvs Ultra Leakguard diapers with this print-at-home coupon. So click on the below link and use it at any mass, discount, or grocery store where Luvs are sold. You even have 30 days from the date the coupon is printed to redeem it. I love that as we all know how hard it is for moms to get out the door. Better yet, leave the baby with dad and use the excuse of buying diapers to enjoy a much needed time out of the house.

Coupon Alert 




Visit http://bit.ly/2kMDv3q to print the $2.00 off Luvs coupon.

Luvs diapers are available in sizes newborn through size 6 and can be found at mass, discount and grocery stores where baby care products are sold.

For more information on Luvs diapers, visit www.luvsdiapers.com or the brand’s social media channels on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/luvsdiapers), Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/luvs) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/luvsdiapers).

Win Free Pizza For A Year & Make Pizza Night Healthier



 I love pizza night but I don't love the unhealthy greasy pizza from the take out places. I used to make my own pizza but my schedule tends to get too busy and then I end up ordering take-out or buying a boring frozen pizza that is not much better when it comes to healthiness. So we have not had pizza night in a while. So when I discovered a healthy pizza that is made with the power of cauliflower, I jumped for joy! I had made a pizza crust with cauliflower before and it tasted great but it also was very time-consuming. So when I discovered that I could buy a premade pizza with a cauliflower crust, I was very happy. Now I could enjoy pizza night once again.

 I bet you are wondering why eat pizza made with cauliflower? Well, cauliflower not only makes the pizza more nutritious but it also makes it gluten-free. I don't have a need to eat a gluten-free diet but I like the idea of a cauliflower crust for the extra nutrition and it makes the pizza lower in fat. I don't know how Caulipower makes their crust taste so good but my boys had no idea that it was made with cauliflower. That is a score for mom as my boys are getting veggies and fiber into their diet, something that never happened with take-out or other frozen pizzas. This gluten- free pizza has plenty of cheese on it so it still tastes like a crispy delicious pizza.


So why cauliflower for a pizza crust?
Cauliflower delivers some heavy-hitting nutrients that fight cancer, heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It’s also full of antioxidants like vitamin c and manganese, and even has phytonutrients that lower the risk of oxidative stress. On top of all that, cauliflower has vitamin K and omega-3, both important anti-inflammatory nutrients.

This delicious pizza comes in four varieties:
  Three-cheese a blend of mozzarella, white cheddar, and parmesan with a special blend of spices, extra-virgin olive oil, and garlic on top of a cauliflower based crust.

 Margherita Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and that special blend of spices and garlic on the cauliflower based
crust.

Veggie Red, yellow, and green peppers on top of a thick bed of mozzarella cheese and a rich savory sauce that is made from vine ripened tomatoes, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and spices. All these delicious toppings are on a cauliflower based crust.

Plain Just a delicious cauliflower based crust for you to create your own delicious pizza. This is great for using a dairy-free cheese.


                          Where can I buy this Caulipower pizza?

 Find a store that carries Caulipower pizza  http://caulipower.net/node/15
 Buy on Amazon   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAUMNRS/?tag=113378-20
 Check them out on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/CAULIPOWERED/

                             Giveaway Alert

Caulipower is giving away free pizza for a year - that's 52 pizza nights to be exact! To enter this awesome giveaway head to  http://woobox.com/2fpt4i  and good luck! It would be so awesome to win this giveaway and to be able to have my freezer stocked with this delicious pizza!

                                    Enter Giveaway Here And Good Luck




"These opinions are my own and I received samples of Caulipower pizza to facilitate this post."

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Stay Spritely To A Ripe Old Age

The good news is that we’re all living longer than we were twenty years ago. But thanks to our advancing years, we’re also developing more chronic diseases. More than 133 million Americans have one form of chronic health condition or another, nearly half of the total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

With such high rates of chronic illness, you might just think that it’s all a part of ageing. But according to the latest science, that isn’t the case at all. It turns out that the way we live our lives has a much bigger impact on our health than simply getting older. Not only will adopting better lifestyle habits help you stay out of the nursing home, but you’ll also feel healthier and happier. Here are some tips from scientists for how to remain spritely into a ripe old age.

It’s Never Too Late

Most people get to retirement age and think to themselves, “it’s too late. I can’t change anything now”, and so they never bother changing their health habits. But the truth is that it’s never too late to change your lifestyle and improve your health, even if you’re in your 90s. The reason for this has to do with the body’s uncanny ability to repair itself. When you change your lifestyle, you literally shock your genes into expressing themselves in a different way. One minute they’re expressing themselves in a way that gives you disease, the next they’re acting differently and making you healthy again.


Image result for elderly exercise


Perhaps the most obvious example of this weird phenomenon in action is what happens to varicose veins when people change their lifestyle. It used to be thought that varicose veins were just a sign of wear and tear. Doctors assumed that the valves at the top of the legs failed, thanks to old age, and that’s what caused blood to accumulate in the blood vessels in the lower leg, causing them to swell up and go hard.

But then some researchers decided to go back to the problem and think about it a little differently. What if lifestyle factors flicked a genetic switch that causes the valve to fail, leading to the varicose veins? Then the problem wouldn’t be mechanical and irreversible, but genetic and potentially reversible.

The researchers put a small group of people on a healthy lifestyle and diet to try to get their genes to express themselves in a healthy way again. After a few weeks, their varicose veins on their legs started getting softer and less protrusive. Soon it became clear that the lifestyle medicine had worked, and that it had flicked a genetic switch, causing the valve at the top of the leg to start working again.

It’s not the first place, of course, where reversal has occurred, even after the disease has begun. Back at the beginning of the 1990s, Dean Ornish, a doctor for the US, set out to prove that lifestyle intervention could reverse heart disease, even in people who had already had heart attacks. Participants ate a mainly vegetable diet, and within a few months, their arteries started opening up again. It seemed like magic, but again it was more evidence that the body’s genetics express themselves differently, depending on the kind of environment we are in. If we eat a high-calorie, junk food diet, our genes express themselves in an unhealthy way. And if we eat a low fat, vegetable diet, our genes express themselves in a healthier way. The bottom line is that it is never too late to change one’s approach to health.

Improve Your Fitness

If you’ve been following the latest news on anti-aging research, you’ll have come across a new form of exercise that is supposed to slow the rate of aging, and even reverse it.


Image result for elderly exercise


For many years, people in the fitness community have extolled the virtues of a type of training called interval training. Essentially, it means exercising as hard as you can for a short period of time, followed by a rest, and then repeating the process. Most people do hard physical activity for about 30 seconds and then rest for a minute.

What was interesting about this exercise was its effect on older folk. The researchers found that when people over the age of 50 did interval training, their mitochondria - the little energy factories in their cells - behaved as if they were twenty years younger. The reason scientists got so excited about this is because mitochondrial aging has long been considered the human aging master clock. Thus, anything that can reverse it can potentially extend life.

In the short term, there are benefits to intense exercise too. Not only does it only take around ten minutes for a full session, but it also improves many biomarkers associated with the diseases of old age. For instance, it’s excellent at reducing blood sugar levels, inflammation, and blood pressure.

The bottom line is that there is no need to join a gym. All you have to do is find a flat piece of ground or use a stationary bike and exercise as hard as you can. Then take a rest and repeat the process about six to eight times. That’s it.

Stay Flexible


Image result for Try Meditation


Fitness experts like to split fitness up into three categories: strength, conditioning, and flexibility. The first two get a lot of attention in the medical sector. But the role of flexibility in helping in old age is often overlooked. According to research by the Oregon Health and Science University, regular daily stretching can help to relieve chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Activities such as yoga also help to maintain balance, something that also deteriorates with old age.

Keep Your Weight Low

For decades, scientists have been doing experiments on animals to see whether they can control their lifespan by feeding them less. The answer is that they can. Mice, rats, fish - even monkeys - that eat less food live longer. The mechanisms for this aren’t entirely clear, but it’s believed to be something that is related to our evolutionary past. When food was scarce, it made sense to slow down the aging process so that animals would have more time to reproduce once food was abundant again.


Image result for okinawa food


Cultures that eat the least food today are also those that eat the longest. The Okinawans, for instance, eat mainly beans and sweet potatoes, and until recently, had the highest proportion of people over the age of 100 on Earth. The Okinawans practiced eating until they were about 80 percent full and then leaving the rest for the next day.

Eating whole foods is the best way to reduce calories and lose weight since these are the most filling. Things like beans, vegetables, and soups will keep you full and away from the ice cream in the freezer.

Be Optimistic And Spiritual

Being religious and having a sunny outlook on life can help you to live longer, according to research. The reason for this is apparently reduced stress levels experienced by people who are optimistic and who are part of close-knit communities. It’s not clear whether belief in religion itself is the fundamental driver, or whether it's the other benefits that religion brings, but it does appear to help.

Optimism is a big factor too. In 2004, a study of more than a thousand people found that those who described themselves as optimistic had a 55 percent lower chance of dying during the nine-year study than those who didn’t. To put that in perspective, if cancer were to disappear tomorrow, life expectancy would rise by about 4.5 years.

Getting Boys To Care About Their Appearance


OK, so being a mom of boys isn't exactly the easiest job in the world. There are so many challenges, as well as wonderful times, and it can all seem a bit much sometimes. In particular, it can be an uphill struggle to get you boys to ‘give a fig’ about their appearance. But there are some tips and tricks that you can use to help in out in this area. Read on to find out what they are.


Get them into a routine


One of the biggest things can be successful in getting the boys to care about their appearance, and look smart is getting them into a routine.


That means going to bed at a certain time of night, and before that always doing the same things. Such as having a wash, laying out their clothes for the next day, combing their hair, and brushing their teeth. The same goes for the mornings, minus the laying out the clothes part.


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OK, so they might not love it at the beginning, but you can soften the blow by allowing the to listen to their own music, or audiobooks while they do these jobs. Then after a while, they will get into the swing of things, which will make looking after their appearance much easier.


Add some smart pieces to their wardrobe


Another way of getting boys to care about their appearance is to make sure that their wardrobe doesn't only contain causal pieces of clothing. Yes, I know that it's practical for when they are running about at home, and getting into all sort of scrapes. But it can really help to have a few smarter options in there for them to choose from.


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An option like this smart shirt, some khaki pants, and a jumper or two can help them to start to develop the instinct of matching their outfit to the occasion. With a little guide from you of course.


Allow them some freedom


Something else that is essential, if you are trying to get your male children, to take better care of their appearance is allowing them some freedom in what they are wearing.


If you dictate what they need to wear all the time, this is the quickest route to them rebelling and looking scruffy. So allow them to be a part of the shopping process, and to choose some items that they like the look of.


This Is also important when buying accessories, and jewelry like the items available at https://www.frostnyc.com. As given them free reign in this can help your boys customize their outfits, and really take ownership of how they dress.


Teach them how to care for their clothes


Lastly, when they are old enough, it's a great idea to show them how to wash and iron their own clothes. Use this simple guide to help you: http://teachmama.com.


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Not only will this give them a renewed appreciation for all the hard work that you do for them. But it will also encourage them to treat the items with respect, and not ball them all up on the floor of their room, as soon as they have come off the laundry pile!


Wednesday, March 22, 2017

$150 Visa Gift Card giveaway event!


http://www.ratsandmore.com/2017/03/150-visa-gift-card-giveaway-ends-421.html

Welcome to the $150 Visa Gift Card giveaway event!


This great group of bloggers have come together to bring one awesome giveaway prize, to one lucky winner! We are very happy to have a $150 Visa gift card up for grabs!

What would you buy with $150? Start dreaming and enter this giveaway!


The Giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive a $150 Visa Gift Card.
Enter with the easy form, below:





  Disclosure: The bloggers involved in this giveaway were not compensated, and are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Lil' Blog and More will be sending the prize out. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter this giveaway. This giveaway starts March 23, 2017, and will end on April 21, 2017 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be emailed, and have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form. Open to Worldwide entries.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Uses For Turmeric



  When I first started taking Turmeric over 2 years ago, it was for pain and inflammation. I had an ankle/heel injury that caused me pain and swelling. There was nothing broken and the doctors labeled it tendonitis. So to help with the pain, I wanted something natural as regular pain relievers can upset the stomach. I think the turmeric that I took was in pill form. I did see some relief from pain when I took the turmeric supplement. That injury has healed and I no longer needed a turmeric supplement, so I thought.....

Turmeric has been used for centuries, dating back at least 4,000 years. Modern medicine has begun to recognize its importance as well — as indicated by the over 3,000 studies dealing with turmeric that have been published within the last 25 years. Turmeric continues to garner attention from the health community, thanks to its antioxidant properties and potential to help support cardiovascular health, provide natural pain relief and promote healthy joints.

   I recently discovered that turmeric has many other benefits beyond pain and inflammation so I decided to start taking this natural supplement again. One of the main reasons I take turmeric is for healthy joints. I am a runner and I would like to be a runner for a long time. Too many of my friends have to stop running because of pain in the knees and joints. Most of these friends are younger than me and suffer from joint pain. I enjoy running so I want to keep my joints healthy and when I learned that turmeric can help, I decided that I needed to add this natural supplement back into my diet. I started with the turmeric pills but I am now taking my turmeric in a liquid form. When SBRNutrition asked me to try their Turmeric Curcumin, I decided to give it a chance as they told me a liquid form would be better absorbed by my body. I thought that a liquid form of turmeric would taste bad, but I was wrong. This liquid turmeric had a mild flavor so I could easily take the 2 droppers every day. I could also add the droppers to my smoothie. Since turmeric is made from a natural herb, I don't have to worry about any side effects. I can use this supplement to keep my joints healthy and maybe I will still be able to run when I am 90 years old!



Did you know that turmeric is an antioxidant?
                Turmeric - The Amazing Antioxidant that Supports:
  • Pain Relief
  • Digestive Health
  • Joint Health
  • Liver Health
  • Blood Circulation
Check out more about this Liquid turmeric
  • Liposomal Blend (Organic Turmeric Root Extract)
  • Curcuminoids
  • Fulvic acid 
  • Vegan Friendly/Non-GMO
  • Made in the USA


Do you take a turmeric supplement? 
 Find out more about this natural turmeric supplement at the below links.



"These opinions are my own and I received the above-mentioned product to facilitate this post."

A Pain In The Neck: Alleviating Back & Neck Pain For Good!

Did you know that back and neck pain is one of the most common complaints that doctors see patients for? The fact is that at one point or another, most of us will develop back and neck pain. Sometimes the cause of this pain is an accident or injury, other times it’s due to an underlying illness or condition, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, then there’s pain that’s associated with environmental factors, such as your job sitting at a computer all day.



More severe back and neck pain requires medical attention, especially if it’s been going on for a long time and the pain is becoming more severe. However, in the first instance when back and neck pain occurs, the best thing to do is to try and alleviate it yourself by working out what the cause is and how to fix the problem and prevent the pain from returning. Although you could opt to see a doctor, if there’s no obvious cause of your pain, the chances are that they’ll just send you home again with painkillers, so it’s best to attempt to deal with the problem yourself first.

As a result, new dot physical requirements have been implemented to ensure that drivers are physically fit to handle long hours of driving and potential hazards on the road. Also, these requirements include regular check-ups and screenings to monitor any changes in health that may affect a driver's ability to perform their job safely.


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To get rid of pesky back and neck pain for good, you need to determine what the cause is and then work out the best method of treating it. To make the process easier, below are some tips and pieces of useful advice.


What causes back and neck pain?


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Poor posture: One of the most common causes of upper back and neck pain is poor posture. If you’re not holding yourself right, it can have an impact on the health of your back and neck, causing pain and discomfort.  How you hold yourself impacts the amount of pressure on different areas of your spine, from your tailbone to your neck, which means if you don’t hold yourself correctly you can end up with back and neck pain.


An unsupportive mattress: Another cause of back and neck pain (back pain more than neck pain) is a mattress that doesn’t offer the right level of support. The fact is that we spend half of our lives asleep, which means that you need to have somewhere comfortable to rest on, else it will cause you pain and discomfort. If your bed is too hard or too soft and doesn’t provide the right level of support for your spine, it can lead to all sorts of back and neck problems.


The wrong pillows: When it comes to neck pain, one of the most common causes is sleeping in an uncomfortable position. This normally relates to the pillows that you’re sleeping on, with neck pain being caused because your pillows aren’t the right size or angle for your neck to rest comfortably on. They may also be too soft or too hard.


Working on a computer: A lot of people who spend the majority of their time at work on a computer end up suffering from back and neck problems because of the way that they slouch over their computer screen when working. This can lead to muscular problems, disk problems, and issues with the curvature of the spine and neck, leading to lasting pain and discomfort.


How can you treat back and neck pain?


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By correcting your posture: An easy fix for preventing back and neck pain is correcting your posture so that you hold yourself better. One of the best ways to do this is to take up yoga or pilates, as both of which help to strengthen the back and neck, naturally improving how you hold yourself. A lot of people report sitting straighter and standing taller after starting yoga or pilates, leading to less back pain and discomfort. There are also special devices that you can wear that will tell you when you’re starting to slouch, reminding you to sit up or stand up a little straighter.


Updating your mattress and pillows: If your back and neck pain is linked to where and how you sleep, it could be worth replacing your old mattress and pillows. When it comes to choosing a new mattress, take the time to do your research to ensure that you pick the perfect mattress for your needs - ideally, you want something that’s firm and supportive but also comfortable. As for how to choose a comfortable down pillow to replace your old one, it’s best to read up about the different sizes and levels of softness that they provide, so that you can make an informed choice.


Having a massage: A lot of back and neck pain specialists recommend getting regular massages to help with any pain and discomfort that you’re feeling in your back or neck. Massages can help to reduce the pain that you’re in as they can relax the muscles, creating less tension. Another benefit of massage is that it increases the endorphins going around your body that act as a natural painkiller, helping to reduce the pain or discomfort that you’re feeling. Not sure if a message will work for you? Book an appointment and see what you think - the chances are that you’ll feel much more comfortable after a professional back and neck massage.



Getting acupuncture: This ancient Chinese treatment method for all manner of problems, from skin problems to muscular issues, is now being recommended by doctors for back and neck pain. Acupuncture can effectively help to reduce the amount of back and neck pain that you’re feeling, helping to make living with the discomfort more doable. Some doctors now offer acupuncture, but if yours doesn’t, then you will need to find a specialist who works in alternative therapies.


Back and neck pain can be totally and completely deliberating and can have a big impact on your day-to-day life. However, the good news is that as you can see from the tips and advice above, there are plenty of treatment routes to go down when it comes to suffering from this kind of pain and discomfort. So it is possible to get your life back on track and to stop letting your back and neck pain control your life.
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