Preventing Back Pain During the Holidays

Enjoying the Holiday Season Pain-Free

With the holidays just around the corner, the last thing you want is neck and back pain getting in the way of your seasonal festivities. The spinal health experts at Inspired Spine are here to share some tips and tricks that’ll help you to focus on your family and leave the aches and pains behind this holiday season.

Lift With Your Legs

As the saying goes, remember to lift with your knees and not your back when lifting heavy objects! Many people make the mistake of bending over when picking up heavy objects—this can lead to injuries affecting the middle and lower back.

When moving boxes, furniture, and other heavy items, keep these tips in mind to avoid back injuries:

• Bend at the knees and keep your back straight.
• Hold the item close to your body.
• Use your core muscles when lifting the object.
• Lift with your legs.
• Avoid twisting or bending your back.

Take Your Time Decorating

While the holidays mean plenty of seasons; decorations, they can also result in plenty of slips and falls that can wreak havoc on your spine. When decorating the interior and exterior of your home, remember to be careful and always have someone there to help you with potentially dangerous tasks like hanging lights and decorating the mantle.

Travel Smart

Whether you’re traveling by plane or taking a road trip during the holidays, it’s common for people to experience pain and discomfort affecting their neck and back. However, the following tips can help to prevent and alleviate that discomfort:

• Use your seat’s heating settings to release muscle tension.
• Take frequent stretching breaks.
• Bring an ice pack to relieve inflammation.
• Be sure to use a supportive neck pillow.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance — it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.