An Announcement from Dr. Roizen:
Pain Is in the Air . . .

We've all felt a little pain in our wallets lately, thanks to the housing market, car industry, and stock market slumps -- and maybe slumps in your own industry, if different -- just to name a few.

But maybe you're feeling pain elsewhere, too. Like that knee of yours. Or your lower back. Or that shoulder that keeps you up at night.

Wouldn't be surprising. In fact, a recent survey by the American Pain Foundation revealed that the pains of the economic recession have contributed to literal physical pain in Americans -- the short-term kind we all experience from time to time. A full two-thirds of people surveyed who have had some kind of acute back pain or other minor muscle strain or sprain in the past year say the recession played some role in it (and not for the better). The stress of working harder to make ends meet has taken a definite physical toll. But, and here's the big news, getting treated soon after an injury -- and not relying on someone else's pampering -- is key to a quicker recovery.

That's right. And especially in times when you need to perform near or at your peak, you shouldn't just live with the aches and pains. For one, you may be able to prevent them altogether if you listen to your body. Start to listen when things feel tense or tight, and take a break. Notice when you're not sitting up straight, walking smart, or standing correctly -- and try to treat your body better. Learn to strengthen your core.

And when you do feel pain, don't ignore it. There could be long-term effects if you do. Start immediate self-care so you can minimize the short-term pain of minor sprains and strains or bruises.

I hope you'll use the information in the RealAge Sprains, Strains, and Minor Pains Center to take good care of yourself so little things don't turn into big things, and so short-term pains don't become chronic ones.

Start by taking the RealAge Sprains and Strains Assessment to help you figure out what kind of injury you may be dealing with and how best to treat it.

And educate yourself with these other articles as well so you can take smart care of yourself and get back in the game quickly and safely:

• Weekend Warrior: Simple Self-Care for Minor Strains, Sprains, and Bruises
• Pain: Should You Worry? 3 Ways to Tell
• Is Your Pain Reliever Doing More Harm Than Good?

The American Pain Foundation also has two helpful Web sites for people experiencing pain: ConqueringPainTogether.org and PainFoundation.org.