Category: #blog award

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GET BLOGGED 34 BEST CHRONIC ILLNESS BLOGS…

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Get Blogged have put together a list of 34 Best Chronic Illness Blogs (I was not listed Boo Hoo) however my great friend and blogger Invisibly Me is listed – well done Caz, you so deserve to be on the list. I will try and join you next year.

Each and every day at Get Blogged, they work with a massively varied selection of bloggers who are consistently publishing the best content, inspiring their audiences, and making waves in their respective fields.

Get Blogged write that when it comes to websites that really make a difference to the lives of their readers, there’s arguably no niche that rivals that of chronic illness bloggers.

A chronic illness blog is one which covers topics such as disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental health issues. Some of the conditions discussed may include, but are not limited to, ME, fibromyalgia, IBD, IBS, cancer, and lupus.

These blogs often share the journeys of their owners and the lessons they’ve learned and challenges they’ve overcome along the way, as well as seeking to provide support and solace to those who are battling their own illnesses.

The writers tend to be strongly patient centric, being the voice of the communities that they represent online. Chronic illness blogs are a lifeline for so many, and the communities built around them are positive spaces where readers can be heard, informed, and inspired.

With such strong relationships with their audience, these creators have the power to ensure your brand is introduced to the people who really need it the most. 

There are so many excellent blogs in the niche, and we’ve curated this list of popular, successful blogs that are creating seriously quality content.

Check out their list here

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HAND REFLEXOLOGY POINTS FOR LOWER BACK PAIN…

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Most people know ‘reflexology’ as something that is done to your feet but hand reflexology is definitely another technique that is becoming just as popular.

Hand reflexology certainly provides some benefits compared to foot reflexology. The obvious example is that our hands are far more easily accessible compared to our feet, which makes hand reflexology the most usable self-help tool for both adults and children.

Hand and foot reflexology has actually been used as part of medical care since as far back as the ancient Egyptian and classic Chinese times. The basic assumption used by the reflexologist is that each organ, gland and part of the body is reflected in both the hands and the feet. Stimulation of the so-called ‘reflex points’ promotes relaxation, improves circulation and encourages the body to heal itself. This explains why hand reflexologists sometimes use the axiom: “Health is at your fingertips!”

Hand reflexology is also brilliant as a relief from the new stresses technology has placed on our hands.

For lower back pain press the point where the centre of your hand joins your wrist and stimulate it. Always take medical advice if you don’t know what the problem is. This is a perfect antidote to a backache caused by sitting at a computer for too long.

A great site Reflexology Map that explains in detail how to start a hand massage.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO START YOUR HAND MASSAGE:

Step 1:  Sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room.

Step 2:  Enter a state of relaxation using a bit of your favorite oil hands. Oils and creams are normally not used in professional reflexology sessions, but will not hurt to use them in an informal session.

hand reflexology

Step  3: Rub the cream on your hands for several minutes until completely absorbed. This will relax your hands and increase flexibility in preparation for applying reflexology. Be sure not to use a cream or oil greasy your hands are not slippery.

Step 4: Close your eyes and focus on any area of your body where you feel an uncomfortable pain. Sometimes you just feel as if some part of your body feels misaligned.

Step 5: Consult a hand reflexology map to identify the points of reflection in your hands that correspond to the parts of your body you want to work. For example, if you have pain in your left shoulder, you have to query the map and see that the points of reflection for your shoulder are located on the little finger of the left hand.

Step 6: Firmly press the reflex point. You can gradually increase the pressure to make sure you’re “activating” the reflex, but loose a little if you feel some pain.

Step 7: Hold the pressure for 30 seconds and release.

Step 8: Wait a few seconds and repeat. You can press either 30 seconds or you can press and release the point of a pulsed for 30 seconds.

Step 9: Use your thumb to apply light pressure technique pressure if you are uncomfortable. To do this, use a circular motion over the same point of reflection for about 5 seconds, then rotates in a circular in the opposite direction for 5 seconds. Repeated several times for each point of reflection.

Step 10: Reflexology applies to all areas in both hands, but lend him more attention on problem areas.

Step 11: When you’ve finished your reflexology session sit quietly for at least 10 minutes. If possible, lie down and rest well for half an hour.

Step 12: Drink several glasses of water after applying reflexology. Water will help to drain the toxins released from your organs and muscles during the session.

 

Hand Chart

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IT’S SLEEP SUNDAY – LETS TALK ABOUT INSOMNIA…

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Many people suffer from insomnia and especially people suffering from chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

Insomnia is when either you cannot get to sleep when goin to bed, or you sleep a little then wake up and cannot get back to sleep again. Mayo Clinic wrote, ” Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life.”

Another sleep problem is something called sleep apnea. If you suffer from this then the person simply stops breathing for ten to sixty seconds at various times during the night. This can leave you feeling exhausted the next day. However, this problem can often be solved with weight loss and sleeping in a different position.

Snoring is another problem for many people with your own loud snore waking you up or your partners snores keeping you awake. Nowadays you can buy different products and pillow which can help with this. You can also try earplugs which is something I have used for years as my husband is a snorer.

Some fibromyalgia sufferers also suffer from unconscious jerking of the arms and legs. For light sleepers, this is enough to wake them from their sleep and then they have a problem going back to sleep again. There are some anticonvulsant medication a GP can give you for this.

Another problem is teeth grinding and something I have been told I do but it certainly doesn’t actually bother me. This can result in morning neck or jaw pain but a dentist can help you with this.

All of the above cause what doctors call non-restorative sleep which means your body does not feel restored after your sleep like it should do. This then has a knock on effect and does not lessen any of your muscle pain but instead leaves you feeling in more pain and fatigue.

Sleep is self initiated unconsciousness and it all happens in part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This part of your head controls your waking and sleep cycles as well as other things. Some experts are now saying that the sleep problems are a result of a neurochemical imbalance which is something fibromyalgia patients suffer from.

Serotonin seems to be the key to much of this type of sleep problem as it is one of those neurotransmitters that helps regulate your sleep patterns. Healthline have a list of five ways to boost your serotonin without medication. This includes the right food, exercise, spending time in the sunshine, supplements and massage.

Some common causes of insomnia not related to any condition include stress, travel or work schedule, poor sleep habits, eating too much late in the evening, medications, mental health disorders, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

Source: Healthline, Mayo Clinic