For three long years—1,200 relentless days—Tina, a passionate photographer, spent every waking moment with a headache. A dull discomfort turned into a nagging, full-blown, full-head pain that dominated her daily existence.

“I’ve had a headache for approximately 1,200 days straight. Every second, every day. It feels like a balloon pressing on my entire head,” Tina revealed in a conversation during her first visit to Dr. Rahim Saleehmohamed, a chiropractor and spine wellness expert known for treating chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

In spite of the relentless pain, Tina kept working. Since she was a professional photographer, she habitually carried heavy camera equipment, consistently subjecting her neck, shoulders, and spine to tension. "It's like adrenaline that drives me. But it's pain. It's exhaustion. It's part of my life," she confessed.

Dr. Rahim's clinical strategy is to make a thorough structural analysis—beyond the presenting signs to determine the anatomical and biomechanical origins of chronic problems.

After having a look at Tina's spine and posture, Dr. Rahim found an array of imbalances. In particular, a past tailbone (coccyx) injury had deranged her pelvis, which, over time, created a chain reaction of compensatory shifts throughout her spine—from her sacrum and mid-back to her top cervical spine, shoulders, and jaw.

Her left hip was misaligned, which created a functional leg length discrepancy. Not only did this change the manner in which she walked, but it also made her body compensate by side-to-side movements—"a zigzag of pain," as Dr. Rahim put it.

"Every one of the muscles is always firing just to keep her upright," he said. "All that constant firing causes fatigue and, ultimately, chronic pain. The stress from the pelvis propagates upward, affecting everything from the sacrum on up through the jaw."

Chain Reaction in the Spine

X-ray examination confirmed several misalignments:

• Tilted Pelvis: Resulting from the tailbone injury and rotation of the pelvis
• Thoracic Kinks: Particularly near T6, related to mid-back pain and even stomach discomfort
• Cervical Displacement: The highest cervical vertebra (C1) was displaced, impacting her neck and head alignment
• TMJ Dysfunction: Jaw strain from bad head posture
• Frozen SI Joints: Her sacroiliac joints did not have sufficient mobility, which hindered effortless hip and lower spine movement

Even her gait while walking exhibited these problems. Tina exhibited signs of pronation of the left foot—a compensatory mechanism to elevate her malaligned hip. "There's not much movement through her SI joints when she walks. It's just. stuck," Dr. Rahim observed during her examination.

Dr. Rahim's treatment was precise and individualized. In the first session, he used a series of specific chiropractic adjustments:

• Coccyx and Sacrum (S5): Correcting foundational pelvic alignment
• T6 Adjustment: Severe kink in the thoracic spine generally linked with stress and digestive system
• C1 Adjustment: Straightening the upper cervical spine to eliminate tension from the neck upward
• TMJ and Ear Adjustments: Relieving tension on the jaw and pressure around the cranial area
• Shoulder Balancing: To offset the unbalanced muscle tension

Every adjustment was to minimize nerve interference, redistribute weight more evenly, and enable her spine to stabilize.

Though chiropractic treatment may take a course of sessions, Tina noticed a subtle change immediately after her first adjustment. "Something feels different," she ventured, hesitantly hopeful.

Dr. Rahim noted increased spinal mobility and a more defined base of the neck—showing her nervous system was already reacting to the alignment.

By clearing the “blockages” in her body’s structure, the goal wasn’t just pain relief—it was to help her body heal from the inside out. “The foundation was behind her. Now, we’re working to bring her back into balance,” Dr. Rahim explained.

What Tina’s Case Reveals About Modern Pain?

Tina's case is not unique. As sedentary lives, screen-oriented jobs, and physically stressful jobs such as photography become more prevalent, more and more people are experiencing unexplained chronic pain. Pain is commonly addressed symptomatically—with medication or temporary relief techniques—without probing the underlying mechanical misalignments.

Dr. Rahim's integrative chiropractic model shows that chronic problems can be caused by what seem like minor injuries that lead to long-term structural tension. "Pain is the body's alarm system. If we don't address the cause, it keeps ringing," he said.

If you have recurring headaches, neck pain, or back pain—particularly following injuries or decades of bad posture—have a complete spinal examination. It might uncover what blood tests and scans won't.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or a certified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment.

"Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"

These lyrics of "Fix You" have resonated with many in the past. Especially for when people were struggling. However, for even the brightest stars, dark days are inevitable. Chris Martin, who is the lead vocalist of Coldplay and one of the most celebrated musicians in the world also opened up about struggling with depression. In an Instagram video which was recorded after a concert in Hong Kong, Martin shared a few simple, but meaningful tools and types which have helped him navigate mental health challenges.

"We are in Hong Kong... I've noticed that some people lately, including myself, are struggling a little bit with depression. So I wanted to talk to you about some things that are helping me on tour and in life in general, in the hope that they can help you as well."

What Tools Have Helped Him?

Freeform Writing: Among the methods, he highlighted the importance of freeform writing. It is a practice where one writes continuously on paper for 12 minutes without any judgments and then discards the paper.

It is a form of expressive writing, which researchers have also found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. As per a 2017 study published in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, expressive writing can help individuals process traumatic or difficult emotions. It can also promote emotional regulation and mental clarity.

Transcendental Meditation: Martin also credited transcendental meditation or TM as transformative. It is a form of silent mantra meditation that has shown promising results even in studies too. A 2014 meta-analysis in Current Hypertension Reports found that TM can reduce psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. It is even better with consistent practice. For Martin, it has been a tool to ground himself amid the chaos of touring.

The Costello Method: He also notes proprioception, which is the sense of relative position and movement of one's own body. He pointed to the Costello Method, which was developed by Jim Costello, which is used to improve brain-body coordination, especially for those with ADHD and autism. Research on this is limited, however, proprioceptive activities in general like balancing exercises or joint compression have been found to support emotional regulation.

Breathing In And Out: Martin also highlighted the book The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown. The book emphasizes on the power of proper breathing techniques. The book also focuses on breathing exercises, especially those promoting nasal breathing and CO2 tolerance. These have shown to lower stress levels and improve resilience. Studies have also linked slow, deep breathing to lower cortisol levels and improved autonomic nervous system functions.

Music And Films For Mental Health: He also finds joy in music and films. Of course, this is something we all do, which is why so many have resonated with "Fix You". He also mentioned Music For Psychedelic Therapy by Jon Hopkins for listening and the movie Sing Sing for people to watch. He described these both as uplifting. The power was music have earlier also been well documented. In fact, a 2016 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders noted that music therapy significantly improves mood and quality of life in people with depression.

Talking About Mental Health Challenges

This is not the first time Martin has opened up about his mental health challenges. In 2014, after his divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow, he admitted that he had been facing daily struggles and depression. "There are still many days when I wake up and feel down, but this experience has given me extra tools to keep going," he told to The Sunday Times.

In 2023, his partner, actress Dakota Johnson also talked about Martin's strength at the 17th Annual Hope Luncheon. She said, "Chris has been there for me in the most difficult times. There is a gentleness in the way he supports me that I have never found before.”

For Martin, music remains his lifeline. “My head tends to be filled with negativity, and music has always been the place where I find some light and meaning,” he shared in an interview with NME. His vulnerability not only humanizes him but also offers hope and practical tools to anyone navigating mental health struggles.

Observed every year on 17th of April, World Hemophilia Day plays a very important role in increasing awareness about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Hemophilia is defined as a sudden and excessive bleeding after an injury by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. As many as 33,000 males suffer with this disease in the United States. For women, the symptoms may be mild but, it can still lead to reduced joint range of motion.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 History

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) started World Hemophilia Day in 1989. They picked April 17th to honor Frank Schnabel, the founder of WFH, on his birthday, as a way to bring the community together. Haemophiliia Foundation Australia stated that WFH has a dream called "Treatment for All." They want a world where everyone with inherited bleeding disorders can get medical care, no matter what kind of bleeding problem they have, if they are a man or woman, how old they are, or where they live. This April, let's celebrate our community and keep working towards a world where everyone, whether they have hemophilia A or B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), or any other bleeding disorder, can get diagnosed, treated, and receive complete care

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Theme

Choosing "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too" as the theme is a big step. It helps us look at the special needs of women and girls with these conditions. Often, their problems are not seen as much as men's. This day wants to make sure their struggles are noticed and that they get better care. Historically, the experiences and challenges faced by this population have been less visible within the broader bleeding disorders community.

This aims to bring their unique struggles to the forefront. The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), has expressed their enthusiasm about the theme, and how meaningful it is. They commended the advocacy of the International Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee.

The central theme for World Hemophilia Day 2025, "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," directly addresses the systemic inequities faced by Women & Girls with Bleeding Disorders (WGBDs). This theme underscores the critical need to:

Combat Underdiagnosis

Many women and girls experience significant delays or fail to receive a proper diagnosis due to prevailing misconceptions about who is affected by bleeding disorders.

Improve Treatment Access

Even when diagnosed, WGBDs often do not receive the same level of care and treatment as their male counterparts.

Raise Awareness

There is a significant lack of understanding among the general public and even healthcare professionals regarding how bleeding disorders manifest in women and girls.

Enhance Quality of Life

The consequences of undiagnosed or poorly managed bleeding disorders can severely impact the educational, professional, and personal lives of women and girls.

World Hemophilia Day 2025 Importance

World Hemophilia Day 2025, under the banner of "Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too," is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Increased Visibility

It provides a global platform to raise awareness about the specific challenges faced by women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Advocacy for Change

The day serves as a catalyst for advocating for improved diagnostic pathways, treatment protocols, and overall care for WGBDs.

Community Unification

It unites the global bleeding disorders community in a shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to care for all individuals, regardless of gender.

Call to Action

It encourages individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to take concrete steps towards addressing the unmet needs of women and girls with bleeding disorders.

Nobody likes getting cuts, but it is inevitable of course. However, what makes it worse is when from even a minor cut, your blood won't stop. This may be because you have hemophilia. It is a rare genetic disorder, but it could happen when your blood does not clot and make your bleeding slow down or stop.

As per Dr Satyaranjan Das, who is the Director of Haemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, there are five types of hemophilia. It is an illness where the blood does not clot as it should. Normally, there are specific proteins called clotting factors that stop the bleeding in hemophilia, one of these factors is either missing or does not work correctly under this condition, explains Das.

The Types of Hemophilia:

• Hemophilia A is the most common. It happens when the body doesn't have enough Factor VIII.
• Hemophilia B (otherwise known as Christmas disease) occurs due to decreased levels of Factor IX.
• Hemophilia C is rare and generally less severe. It is due to deficiency in Factor XI.

"Gene for Hemophilia A and B are inherited via the X-chromosome, and hence they mainly affect boys. Girls can carry the gene and occasionally develop symptoms. Hemophilia C is different—it affects men and women and is more common in some Jewish families," explains the doctor.

What Are The Other Kinds Of Hemophilia or bleeding disorder?

The doctor notes that there are a few other rare conditions of other factors involved in clotting (e.g., Factor II, V, VII, X, XII, and XIII). These are some of the non-hemophiliac causes of unusual bleeding.

Acquired Hemophilia is also where the immune system of the body attacks its own Factor VIII. It is not hereditary and usually occurs in adulthood, mainly in elderly or during post pregnancy. "Symptoms may include bruising and bleeding that occurs too easily. Some people experience painful bleeds in joints, which, if not treated, can damage joints," explains the doctor.

What People Must Know About Hemophilia?

Dr Das explains that while it is not a very prevalent disorder, hemophilia is filled with myths and he are the two common myths around the condition that the doctor breaks.

Myth: Hemophilia is just a bleeding disorder

Hemophilia is erroneously considered to be just a bleeding disorder, but it's a complex disorder that affects many aspects of a person's life. Hemophilia patients may experience chronic pain, limited mobility and mental anguish due to recurrent bleeding episodes.

Myth: Hemophilia Is Contagious

Hemophilia has been misperceived by some as an infectious disease, but it is actually inherited. Hemophilia patients are not contagious and must not be treated as pariahs, but equally with respect and dignity like any human being.

How Can It Be Diagnosed? How Can It Be Treated?

Doctor explains that a blood test can show what clotting factor is lacking. Treatment may include providing the missing factor through infusions. With proper treatment, most people with hemophilia can lead a normal, active life.

Treatment of hemophilia for health is much improved now. New treatment is easier and safer. Gene therapy even has the potential to prevent or reduce the necessity for ongoing treatment in some people. Hemophilia children today have improved prospects of becoming healthy and independent adults because there is more awareness and availability of health care.