Feeling stiff from sitting at your desk all day? You’re not alone. Our bodies are designed to move, yet we spend hours hunched over devices, leading to an increase in muscle and joint pain. Modern catchphrases like “text neck” and “gamer’s thumb” highlight just how much technology impacts our health.
Qualified pharmacist, aromatherapist, and founder of Aromatic Apothecary, Doryce Sher, explains, “Our bodies are simply not designed to hold the same muscles and joints in one position over extended periods. There’s no doubt that the infusion of tech in our lives exacerbates this problem, but it can also be experienced by say, a hobbyist sitting in one position as they sew, knit or do pottery. The result is stiffness, inflammation and pain in the muscles and joints as well as poorer blood circulation impacting the entire body. Dealing with the pain is crucial because for instance, if our shoulder starts to hurt, it then inhibits our use of the arm as we try to avoid pain. But movement is part of the solution and the healing process. It’s important to note that what we are talking about here is just your movement through a typical day. Even people who are physically active and fit experience these kinds of aches and pains. Despite running or going to the gym before work every morning, if you also sit still or hold your device for long periods during the day, it’s going to hurt.”
To address these common issues, Doryce developed Aromatic Apothecary’s Move Easy range. These products use blends of essential oils like ginger, rosemary, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, cajeput, and menthol for fast-acting pain relief. Doryce notes, “These blends enable muscle relaxation, have anti-inflammatory action and improve circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the stressed muscles and joints. So, using any of the products in the range brings fast-acting pain relief and promotes natural healing at the same time. There’s no limit on how often you use them, so they can be repeatedly applied, and these are products that are safe to use alongside conventional pain meds and anti-inflammatories. They can help you to improve well-being if you must wait days before a physio appointment.”
Here are some tips for managing everyday aches and pains:
- Stretch at Your Desk: Incorporate neck stretches, shoulder rolls, and seated spinal twists into your routine to ease tension.
- Get Up and Move: Take short walks or stretch every hour to energize your body and improve circulation.
- Daily Walks: Strengthen your muscles and joints by making daily walks a habit, whether during lunch breaks or in the evenings.
- Be Mindful of Aches and Pains: Regularly check in with your body for any stiffness or soreness. Keep Aromatic Apothecary’s Move Easy Roll-On Relief and Move Easy Spray-On Relief handy for quick application.
Aromatic Apothecary offers various product formats to suit your needs. Doryce explains, “Move Easy Roll-On Relief not only quickly applies the gel to the affected area, but it also massages it during application. It’s good for easing neck tension while you are sitting at your desk, or are on-the-go, and this will prevent discomfort into escalating pain. Thanks to the roll-on applicator, there’s no messy hands involved, and the gel is quickly absorbed bringing fast relief. Similarly, using the Move Easy Spray-On Relief leaves no mess on your hands or residue on your clothes. It’s quick to apply and good for larger sore areas such the lower back, the shoulder, calf muscles or feet. You can u se either Move Easy Rub-On Relief, a cream, or Move Easy Bath & Massage Oil for when you have more time for self-care and the opportunity to use self-massage or have someone who can give you a massage, such as before you go to bed. The nice thing about the whole range is that applying any of the products is a relaxing experience with wonderful aromas that as you breathe in, will also clear the head.”
By incorporating these strategies and using Aromatic Apothecary’s Move Easy products, you can effectively manage and alleviate everyday aches and pains.