Distress Call from your Body

Staying fit is not an option, it's a requirement.

The ability to enjoy our bodies to the fullest is something that we usually take for granted. Similar to things like air and water (well, not water, not anymore) being free and plentiful, we assume that our bodies work just fine the way they are. The problem is that we never think that, in order to stay healthy, our body needs proper care and attention.

Nowadays, the idea of spending time and energy on proper body care seems alien and counter productive to us. Why spend time caring after our body when we could be having fun and adventure, when we could be going after our dreams? Modern society doesn't live at a comfortable jog, it lives at a breakneck speed race.

Our bodies, however, constantly let us know that something is wrong: headaches, insomnia, shoulder pain, back pain, stiffed necks... the list goes on and on. These are our body's alarms and warning signs that tell us that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Not only we don't listen, some people are so used to being uncomfortable and living in pain that they don't notice that something is wrong anymore.

Frozen Shoulder Strikes

One of the most recurring physical conditions that affect us is known as frozen shoulder. Also known as adhesive capsulitis it causes restriction of motion in the shoulder joint and it has gained a nefarious reputation because its cause it's not well understood and seems to occur for no particular reason. Technically what happens is that the connective tissue that surrounds the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder, becomes inflamed and stiff. Then scar tissue, called adhesions, grow together and restrict range of motion causing chronic pain.

Even though the causes are not fully understood, there are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a frozen shoulder:

• Age & Gender
  The 40 to 60 years old age group is the most commonly affected and is twice as common in women than in men.
• Endocrine Disorders
  Diabetes patients have been known to develop the condition and it is believed that other endocrine abnormalities can lead to it as well.
• Shoulder Trauma or Surgery
  Cases of patients who develop a frozen shoulder after a traumatic injury to the shoulder or surgical procedure to the area are not uncommon, although only when the injury (or surgery) is followed by prolonged joint immobilization.

Even thought the causes for this particular ailment have not been thoroughly determined, the proper care of our bodies can always improve the chances to avoid these types of conditions or to be better equipped to recover from them. Maintaining the range of motion, strength and flexibility in our bodies should be first amongst our list of priorities should we want to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. Devoting a small part of your day to stay fit and learn more about health and nutrition can transform your experience of life to one of energy and empowerment. Don't make your body and health prevent you from enjoying a life of joy and happiness, make them work for you and your potential will skyrocket.

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