The Lowdown on Lower Back Pain

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Many people experience lower back pain throughout their lives. There are many things that can cause this pain. This post delves into the different causes and the best forms of treatment for those experiencing pain.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain is typically the result of the base of the spine being unable to support the weight above, causing a strain. It can also be due to poor posture when sitting or lifting. A few common causes of lower back pain include:

  • Being overweight
  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • Heavy lifting with poor form
  • Natural deterioration with age (although lifestyle can delay this)

What are the best ways to treat lower back pain?

If you experience lower back pain, there may be a few different ways in which you can reduce the pain:

Take anti-inflammatory medicines

Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can be effective against mild back pain. More serious pain may require prescription medication. It is also possible to take herbal medication – the likes of turmeric and devil’s claw could be worth trying if you want a break from pills or if you’re looking for a supplementary form of pain relief. 

See a chiropractor

Experience expert chiropractic care at CARESPACE in Kitchener, or a clinic of a similar caliber in your area, and book an appointment with the professionals if you find that you’re always struggling with back discomfort. Spinal manipulation may help to reduce pain if you are experiencing lower back pain as it aims at realigning the spine and relieving pressure on nerves and muscles. However, it’s important to remember that this treatment should always be performed by a qualified chiropractor

Get a massage

A massage can help to improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension, all in all helping to combat inflammation and pain. Your best option when dealing with lower back pain is to book a professional massage at a clinic. It is possible to massage your own lower back using a foam roller or tennis ball. You can learn how to do this online. 

Quit smoking

Smokers are nearly three times as likely to experience lower back pain. This is because smoking can increase inflammation and inhibit bone healing, making small strains and injuries more painful and harder to recover from. By quitting smoking, you could find that your pain reduces. 

Lose weight

Carrying extra weight on the upper half of your body puts more strain on your lower back. This isn’t so much of a problem if the extra weight is muscles as the muscle will be able to support this extra weight. However, if the extra weight is fat and you’ve not got much muscle mass, you can expect your spine to take the strain. Losing weight could help to reduce the strain on your spine. It’s worth exercising your core – not just to help lose weight, but to build muscle in and around your lower back. 

Correct your posture

If you’re constantly leaning forward over a desk, your lower back is more likely to get strained. Get into a habit of sitting up straight while at a desk by adjusting your seat properly. The same goes for driving. Posture is also important when lifting heavy things – instead of bending at your waist, try to always bend your knees and keep your back straight to minimize strain.

Make The Most of Your Next Comic-Con

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If you’re like me, you’ve been counting down the days until Comic Con since the moment it ended last year. I mean, what’s not to love about four days of celebrating all things geeky? Cosplay is one of my favorite parts of the convention, and I’m always looking for new tips on how to make my costume even more awesome. This blog post will discuss tips on making the most of your next visit to Comic Con!

One of the most critical aspects of cosplay is choosing the right character. You want to choose a character that you’re passionate about and that you think you can pull off physically. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at your favorite comic books, movies, and TV shows for inspiration. Once you’ve found the perfect character, it’s time to start planning your costume!

1) Do your research: 

When it comes to creating a cosplay costume, you can never do too much research. Look up reference photos of your chosen character and take note of their clothing, hairstyle, and accessories. This will give you a good starting point for putting together your own costume.

If you’re having trouble finding reference photos, try looking up fan art or checking out websites like Cosplay.com for inspiration.

Another great tip is to find a friend who’s also interested in cosplaying and see if they’ll help you with your costume. Two heads are always better than one!

2) Start with the basics: 

Once you have an idea of what you want your costume to look like, it’s time to start putting it together. Begin by finding a basic shirt and pants that are close to the character’s colors. You can usually find these items at your local thrift store or online.

If you’re having trouble finding clothing that’s the right color, try dyeing them yourself. It’s cheaper than buying new clothes, and it’ll help you get the perfect shade.

Once you have the basic clothing pieces, it’s time to start adding on the details. Look for things like belts, gloves, boots, and jackets that will help complete your look. Again, thrift stores and online retailers are great places to find these items.

3) Don’t forget the accessories: 

The right accessories can really make or break a cosplay costume. Make sure to include all of the character’s signature items, such as their weapon of choice, cape, or mask.

Some characters also have tattoos or other unique physical features. If you want to add these to your cosplay, try using temporary tattoos or body paint. This way, you can easily remove them when Comic Con is over!

4) Sew it up: 

If you’re not confident in your sewing skills, don’t worry! There are plenty of simple tutorials online that can help you put together a cosplay costume.

There are also a number of companies that sell ready-made cosplay costumes. However, these can be quite expensive, so only buy one if you’re sure it’s the right size and style for you.

If you do decide to sew your own costume, make sure to choose a fabric that’s comfortable and easy to work with. A cotton is always a good option, but feel free to experiment with other fabrics as well.

5) Wigs are your friend: 

The right wig can make or break a cosplay costume. If you can’t find the perfect wig at your local store, try looking online. There are a number of websites that sell wigs in all sorts of colors and styles.

When choosing a wig, make sure to pick one that’s close to the character’s natural hair color. You don’t want your cosplay to look too obvious!

Another great tip is to style the wig before you put it on. This will help keep it from slipping around during Comic Con.

If you want to submerge yourself into your character, dye your hair

There are a number of great ways to dye your hair brown to bronde hair color. This will take some time to grow out, but it’ll be worth it when you’re cosplaying as your favorite superhero or villain!

Once you have your costume all planned out, it’s time to start thinking about your makeup. The right makeup can really help bring your character to life.

Take a look at reference photos of your chosen character and try to recreate their signature look. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of tutorials online that can help you perfect your cosplay makeup.

6) Choose the right shoes: 

Shoes are an important part of any cosplay costume. They can help complete your look and make you feel more like your character.

When choosing shoes, make sure to pick a pair that’s comfortable and easy to walk in. You don’t want to be hobbling around Comic Con all day!

If you can’t find the perfect pair of shoes, try looking for something similar at your local store. A pair of plain black sneakers can usually be passed off as dress shoes if you’re in a pinch.

Once you have your costume and makeup all sorted out, it’s time to start thinking about your props. The right props can really bring your cosplay to the next level.

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7) Get your hands on some props: 

Props are a great way to make your cosplay more realistic. If you can’t find the perfect props at your local store, try looking online.

There are a number of websites that sell all sorts of props, from swords to replica guns. Just make sure to check the website’s return policy before you buy anything!

When choosing props, always err on the side of caution. Make sure they’re not too heavy or bulky, as this can be difficult to carry around Comic Con all day.

8) Don’t forget the essentials: 

There are a few things you’ll need to bring with you to Comic Con, regardless of your cosplay.

First and foremost, you’ll need a valid photo ID. This is important for picking up your badge and getting into panels.

You should also bring a water bottle and snacks, as you’ll likely be walking around Comic Con all day. And finally, don’t forget to pack your phone charger! You’ll want to be able to take plenty of photos while you’re there.

Comic-Con can be an overwhelming experience, but it’s also a lot of fun. Just remember to take it slow and enjoy yourself. With these tips, you’re sure to have a great time!

9) Have fun: 

Comic-Con is a great opportunity to have some fun and dress up as your favorite character. But it’s also important to remember that it’s just for fun.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have the perfect cosplay. Just relax and enjoy the experience!

These are just a few tips on how to get into character for Comic Con. With these in mind, you’re sure to have a great time! Thanks for reading!

Do you have any other tips? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more great Comic Con advice.

Cosplay is a huge part of Comic Con, but it can be daunting if you’ve never done it before. These tips will help you get into character and have a great time!

10) Don’t be afraid to ask for help: 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are plenty of people at Comic-Con who would be more than happy to help you with your cosplay.

11) Avoid driving last minute: 

Driving to Comic-Con can be stressful, especially if you’re driving last minute. Try to leave yourself plenty of time so that you don’t have to rush. Be prepared for any situation on your way to Comic Con.

12) Have a backup plan: 

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong with your cosplay. That way, you can still enjoy Comic Con even if your cosplay doesn’t quite come together the way you wanted it to.

13) Bring cash: 

Most vendors at Comic-Con accept cash only, so make sure you bring enough and keep it safe. ATM machines are available on-site, but they tend

Just remember to be respectful and polite when asking for assistance. And if someone offers to help you with your cosplay, don’t forget to say thank you!

These are just a few tips on how to get into character for Comic Con. With these in mind, you’re sure to have a great time! Thanks for reading!

In conclusion, following these tips will help you get into character and have a great time at Comic-Con! 

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Dealing With Cancer In The Family

Unfortunately, it’s something that every family is going to have to deal with at some point or another. With cancer these days striking 50% of us, this is clearly just a fact of life that we all have to learn how to live with. But when it hits your own family, it’s something that you are going to need to understand as best as you can – and this can be hard when you are in the midst of it. Here are some ideas on what you might want to think about when it comes to dealing with cancer in the family.

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Supporting One Another

One of the main things you will need to do in this situation is to ensure that the family is supporting one another. This is vital for the sake of everyone involved, especially the individual who actually has cancer. Supporting one another can look like many different things. It might be that you are going to simply be by their sides, or that you are spending more time together and trying to laugh together. If it is a particularly difficult time and they are undergoing procedures such as chemotherapy, then you can also look into purchasing some of these gifts for chemo patients. These are not only practical, but can also help the person to feel comforted and help them to take their mind off of things. However you do it, supporting one another in this way is vital for everyone to keep on moving as best as they can.

Looking Into Options

In terms of treatment, you are probably going to want to keep your options wide open as best as you can, to ensure that the individual with cancer is as likely as possible to recover swiftly and fully. Chances are, you will first be trying the standard medical care and seeing how that goes. And you might also be considering holistic cancer treatment centers if that is something you want to try as a complementary approach or an alternative. At all times, the important thing is that the individual themselves has the final say and they are happy with whatever approach is taken.

Managing Emotions

There are always going to be a lot of emotions when something like this is happening, and they will need to be managed and dealt with properly if they are going to be in a better place. That again is something that you can do together as a family, and you should find that you are much more likely to get through it together if you are working through the emotions as one. So all in all, this is the kind of thing that you should focus on from the start as best as you can.

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Looking Ahead
Whether or not you know what the prognosis is likely to be, it’s important that everyone is doing their best to look ahead, with as much positivity as possible. That can’t be forced, of course, but it is something that you should be able to focus on in some way if you are keen on trying to make it through, and if you do it together you are going to find it so much easier. Looking ahead will enable you to still have hope in your hearts, which really matters in all this.