New Delhi, December 21 (IANS). Winter season also brings many hidden problems for the body. Especially the complaints of pain in neck and shoulders increase rapidly in this season. People ignore it considering it to be an effect of common cold, but both Ayurveda and science believe that if this pain is not taken care of in time, it can later become a serious problem related to nerves, joints and muscles.
During cold days, there is less sunlight, body activities are less and the muscles gradually start becoming stiff. For this reason, the neck feels frozen as soon as you wake up in the morning and there is heaviness in the shoulders throughout the day, but with some easy home remedies, this pain can be reduced to a great extent.
According to Ayurveda, Vata dosha increases in the body in winter. Vata dosha is associated with dryness, stiffness and pain. Cold air enters the body and makes the muscles and joints stiff. Science also says that when one feels cold, the blood vessels of the body shrink, which reduces the blood flow to the neck and shoulders. When muscles do not get enough blood and oxygen, they develop stiffness and pain. Therefore, it is very important to keep the body warm and active from inside in winter.
One of the effective remedies for this is massage with hot oil. In Ayurveda, Abhyanga i.e. oil massage is considered a medicine. When sesame or mustard oil is lightly heated and applied on the neck and shoulders, the heat reaches the muscles directly. This increases blood circulation and the frozen muscles gradually start loosening up. According to science, massage activates nerve endings, due to which pain signals reach the brain less and one feels relaxed.
At the same time, compression can also provide relief from neck or shoulder pain. By placing a hot water bottle or a lukewarm towel on the neck or shoulders, the heat penetrates through the skin and increases blood flow. This reduces swelling and provides nutrition to the muscles. In some cases, a mild cold compress also helps, as it calms the swelling.
Light stretching and yoga are very important in winter. Slowly rotating the neck left and right, bending it up and down and slightly rotating the shoulders releases the tension accumulated in the muscles. Ayurveda believes that the body needs balanced movement, not static. According to science, stretching increases the length and flexibility of muscles, due to which they are able to work easily even in cold and the chances of pain are reduced.
Diet also plays a big role in neck and shoulder pain. In winter, hot, cooked and fresh food gives strength to the body from within. Spices like ginger and turmeric are considered to reduce inflammation in Ayurveda. Modern science also believes that the elements present in them reduce the chemicals that cause pain in the body, thereby providing relief to the joints and muscles.
Mental stress can also increase pain. Deep breathing and light meditation calm the mind. When the mind becomes calm, the muscles of the body also automatically start becoming loose. Science says that when stress is reduced, the flow of oxygen in the body improves, due to which pain is felt less.
–IANS
PK/ABM