6 ways to treat aches and pains after a self-move

1. Rest & an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
   The first thing that you should do when completing a self-move, is sit down and relax. Keep in mind that you have been so busy between packing, loading, transporting, unloading, unpacking and delegating tasks to your friends and family, that you have not had much time to sit and relax enough to let the aches and pains set in, so the next time you get up could be a doozy! It is wise to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen as soon as you start to feel some pain coming on. Rest and Ibuprofen really are the first method that you should try when you are starting to feel achy. If those don’t seem to be working, or if you have specific areas of pain, the rest of the list should provide some alternative treatment options.
2. Ice
   Whether you choose ice packs, frozen gel packs, ice massage or ice baths, they are all aimed at numbing pain and reducing inflammation and swelling by reducing the blood flow to particular areas of pain. It is important to note that you should never apply ice directly to your skin as it can cause damage to your skin tissue, such as frostbite. You will also want to limit your exposure to ice, applying for 10 to 15 minutes in one sitting, and being sure never to exceed 20 minutes. It is also advised to avoid using ice to treat stiff muscles, as this will only exacerbate the issue.
3. Heat
   While ice is great for inflammation, heat is great as soothing and relaxing stiff joints. For heat, there are two types – dry heat and moist heat. Dry heat would be things such as heating pads or saunas, whereas moist heat would be steamed towels and hot baths. Most minor injuries can be relieved with just 15 to 20 minutes of heat therapy. For more severe pain, you can apply heat for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
4. Massage
   Massages are great for strains or injuries, as well as joint pain. When you go to get a massage, an essential element will be a relaxing atmosphere. A massage therapist will use oil to massage areas that have tight muscle fibers from an injury or overuse. There are several different types of massages to choose from, but two of the most commonly available are Swedish massage, deep tissue massage. Swedish massages are composed of long and light pressured strokes, in combination with kneading and deep circular movements. A deep tissue massage is a slower, but more acute pressure type of massage that targets the deeper layers of muscle and tissue.
5. Chiropractic Adjustment
   Having a chiropractic adjustment can do wonders after lifting heavy boxes and furniture during a self-move. Chiropractic adjustments involve the manipulation of your spine to properly align your body’s musculoskeletal structure to restore joint mobility. A good chiropractor will sit down with you at your first appointment and go over exactly what happens during an adjustment. They will also do a physical examination and ask you several questions as to what is bringing you in, any areas of particular concern, or if you have endured some sort of physical trauma, whether is be more recent, or something a little farther in the past that has just been building on your sore body. Realigning your spine will help with pain relief of muscles, joint, ligament and tendon pain, as well as reduce overall inflammation.
6. Acupuncture/Chinese Cupping
   It seems that everyone has that one friend that swears by acupuncture in conjunction with Chinese cupping. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at various depths at specific points on your skin to balance overall energy. Acupuncture states that the different pathways through which blood flows through our bodies, otherwise referred to as meridians, and how there are specific points that relate to anything from joint pain to migraines, and by unblocking these points, you can relieve pain regardless of if it is physical or mental. Chinese cupping is often used with acupuncture as a way to encourage blood flow. For cupping, you would use glass cups to suction different areas on your body to create negative pressure to loosen muscles, whereas as with massage, you have positive pressure working the muscles in. By increasing blood flow throughout your body and pinpointing the areas in which you have the most pain or tension, you can trigger your body’s natural painkillers throughout your body.

Hopefully, if you ever find yourself in the position of needing to move yourself, all of these treatment options will come to mind when you start to feel the pain. However, if you have the option, please consider hiring a local Tucson moving service. They can move you within the city, county, state or country, so do not feel like local movers in Tucson will not know how to move you to your new dream home, regardless of where it is located. Professional moving companies can take care of all of your moving needs, whether it be packing your great-grandmother’s China, moving your grand piano without damaging it OR your home, or unloading and unpacking all of those heavy appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves, etc. Professional movers in Tucson know all of the safest ways to move your life from one location to the next, and you will not have to lift a finger, which means you can get a massage just for the fun of it, rather than the necessity!