Spine Pain & The Holidays

Category: Spine Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

Spine Pain Holidays

The holiday season is here, and while it may be a time full of family and fun, we also seem to notice a spike in the number of people who walk or hobble into our office. The holidays can be hard on our spines for a number of reasons, but you can help prevent pain from settling in if you take some protective steps. Today, we share some tips for preventing back pain during the holiday season.

Overworked Spine

The holiday season is usually one of the busiest times of the year for a variety of reasons. You’re doing a lot of cooking, shopping and traveling, and maybe you’re working long hours at the office because year end is closing in. You’re also trying to get to the gym as much as possible to keep those pounds from the Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas cookies off your waistline. With so much time on our feet straining our spine, it’s no wonder back pain can develop. You can work to prevent this by having posture awareness, planning for in advance, or reading our tips on how to prevent back pain while traveling.

Falls

We also see an uptick in acute trauma-related back injuries from falls. Whether you’re out hanging lights on a ladder or slip on an icy patch of concrete, it doesn’t take much to end up on your spine. You can help prevent fall-related spine injuries by ensuring you always have someone to hold the ladder and by investing in a quality pair of shoes or boots that are slip resistant.

Inflammation

Some spine problems that develop around this time of year is due to the development of inflammation in the spine or spinal canal. Inflammation can set in for a number of reasons, from lack of exercise to poor dietary habits. It’s not always easy, but try to eat somewhat healthy throughout the holiday season and find time to get regular exercise to prevent inflammation-related spine pain from becoming a problem.

The Weather

A drop in temperatures also tends to accompany the holiday season, and if you’re not prepared for it, you can open your spine up to sprains and strains. Be sure to dress warm if you have to go outside to snowblow or walk the dog, because if your back is cold, healthy blood won’t be able to reach certain structures as easily. This can lead to back spasms and strains, so invest in a warm winter coat and don’t spend too much time outside in freezing temperatures.

Snow Removal

Mother Nature usually dumps plenty of snow on us Minnesotans, and that snow needs to be removed so we can get on with our everyday life. Many of us use shovels to help clear driveways and sidewalks, but this process of lifting, twisting and throwing snow can take a serious toll on our back. There are many lightweight snowblowers that can make it much easier to remove snow, but if that’s not an option, make sure you take five minutes to warm up your spinal muscles so that they are ready for the upcoming activity, as this will reduce the likelihood of a muscle sprain or tear.

 

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