Work out the Kinks

Health.com

 There is nothing worse than waking up with that kink in your neck.  Usually trying to work it out feels even more painful than gritting your teeth and suffering through it.  While out of the ordinary sleeping positions can be the cause of these morning aches and pains, there is another reported medical reason that has been under the radar.  According to CNN Health, an estimated 8 out of 10 Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives and half of those cases are due to sexual activity in the bedroom (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases). Whether you are playing it safe or enduring a workout fit for an Olympic athlete in the bedroom, it is never too late to avoid these discomforting injuries.  Sex works many muscles that we do not use on a daily basis and can leave you feeling less than satisfied the morning after. 

Alieve.com

While the idea of a sex related injury may seem like a laughable problem, there are many instances where bedroom acrobatics can take a turn for the worse.  I was prompted to look further into this topic when a student at a sexual health program asked me what the point of lube was, and if it would help with pain during sex. The answer is yes, irritation or tearing from vigorous sex can be minimized by using a lubricant. This got me to thinking about the other discomforting results that sex can induce.

Giving new meaning to the term 'safe sex', these sexual hazards do not mean that protection has to take the form of a padded body suit. There are many physical activities that can enhance your sexual capabilities.  Yoga and Pilates were sited as the top two exercises that build stamina in the muscles that are challenged most during active sex.  These exercises primarily focus on the abdomen and torso which overall provide a stronger back and greater strength when tackling the most demanding sexual positions.

Chicagofit.com

Physicians agree that stretching is always a good idea especially if you experience pains from other daily activities.  A great starting goal to increase flexibility and positively enhance your bedroom performance would be to work on touching your toes.  Once the flexibility is attained the next safety measure is to clear the area of dangerous objects; since the majority of sex related injuries were sustained in non-conventional places such as the kitchen or on tables. One study in London found that the most common sex injury was a pulled muscle, with back injuries, carpet burns, and cricked necks pulling in close behind. Surprisingly the most dangerous spots for sex were also the most ordinary: the sofa, a chair, or the shower. 

Regardless of the form of sex ed that you have received, at some point you have heard of the horror stories that can come with intense sexual activity such as penile fractures or serious vaginal tears.  These are extreme cases that in most cases are very painful but not life threatening.  In order to help alleviate the gruesome picture that comes with the thought of a penile fracture know that these are not true fractures in the traditional sense; but tiny tears in the tissue of the penis.

As for women, many will not feel any pain until after sex which usually leads to discomfort and anxiety about the cause of the pain.  This delayed pain happens to both men and women because arousal raises pain tolerance due to the rush of blood and nerve stimulation below the belt.  Even the simplest muscle strains or tears are enough to leave you groaning in a less than enjoyable way.

Injuries related to sexual activity are hardly ever reported because of the stigma that comes with talking about sex. Many researchers compare some sex positions with the intensity of a full tennis or boxing match.  Woman's Day released some statistics that related sex to a physical workout for those who are calorie counting inclined.  After looking at the calorie burn this kind of workout can enforce, the concept of sexual injuries seem a lot more plausible.  Below I have created a table detailing the activity and average calories burned.

Activity                            Calories Burned 

Kissing                             68 cal per hour 

Undressing                       8+ cal per hour 

Massaging                        80+ cal

Having Sex                       144+ cal per half hour 
Giving Oral Sex               100 cal per half hour  
Using Your Hands            100 cal per hour 

Making Out                     238 cal per half hour                     

It is obvious that sex of any form involves a physical element as well as cognitive awareness.  We spend a lot of time being constantly reminded about practicing safe sex through condoms or abstinence.  I hope that this information has provided some guidance and promoted a different perspective on the idea of safe sex.  No one wants to nurse a pulled hamstring after a wild night under the sheets. Know your limits. If you are experiencing pain in a certain area work towards building strength and flexibility before pursuing further.  And please remember to always stretch before the big game!

Click below for more information on what you just read and appreciate the art of flexibility!
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Work it Out

-RV