The Similarities Between Caring For Your Christmas Tree And Your Spine
Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
If you’re like a lot of people this time of year, you have a Christmas tree displayed somewhere in your house. And if your tree is real, you know that you need to take care of it if it’s going to survive through the holiday season. In fact, caring for your Christmas tree is a lot like caring for your spine. In today’s blog, we explain the similarities between caring for your tree and your spine.
Why Caring For Your Xmas Tree Is Similar To Spine Care
You need to keep these tips in mind if your Christmas tree is going to survive and thrive this winter, and many of these same points can apply to your spine. Here’s why:
- Water – Your tree is going to need plenty of water since it can no longer take any in from the earth, so you need to ensure you’re giving it plenty of water on a regular schedule. The same can be said for your spine, because if you’re dehydrated, muscles and joints won’t move as fluidly, which can contribute to injury. Don’t let your tree or your spine suffer because you deprived it of regular hydration.
- Staying Up Straight – Aside from an ideal visual appearance, if your tree is crooked or leaning, there’s a decent chance it could end up falling over. This could take out a window, or worse, land on someone, and that’s not a pleasant experience. Stabilizing your tree and keeping it straight can help keep it from causing problems. The same can be said for our spinal posture. If you’re constantly hunched over at your desk or leaning far back while driving, you’re going to be putting excessive stress on the cervical or lumbar portions of your spine. This excess stress can lead to disc breakdown, pinched nerves or vertebral problems. Mind your posture, just like you would with your tree’s positioning.
- Reinforce – Your tree doesn’t stand up on its own, you help to reinforce it and keep it upright with screws and anchors. This extra assistance helps ensure the tree can stay upright and strong. A similar line of thinking applies to your spine. You should exercise and strengthen your spine so that it can better handle the stress you put on it each day. Reinforce your spine with strength training exercises on a regular basis.
- Don’t Wait Too Long – Finally, once the tree starts to drop needles and its branches start to droop, it’s time for it to hit the curb. Otherwise you will have a bigger mess to clean up, and certain allergens could be released from a dying or molding tree that could cause problems for anyone with breathing sensitivities in your home. Similarly, you shouldn’t put off care for your spine when the signs are telling you there’s an issue. If you’re dealing with back pain or an acute injury, don’t just hope it will go away on its own. Treat it proactively, or better yet, call your spine specialist and get a diagnosis. Listen and look for signs and symptoms from your tree and your spine, and take appropriate action.
If you can do all of the above tips for your tree and your spine, we’re confident that both your back and your Christmas tree will have a good and healthy holiday season. For more information or for help with your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
