Tips for a Painless Holiday Season!

With the holiday season in full swing, we are all looking forward to the joys and fun involved in spending time with friends and family, some much needed time off school and work, and of course, giving to others and receiving gifts ourselves. However, with all the stresses, shopping, wrapping, and cooking that we do to prepare, sometimes we can be left with pain in our joints, backs, and necks.

Below are 4 tips to help prevent aches and pains during this busy time of year:

See your Physical Therapist. If you have already been suffering from pain, no matter how minor it may seem, this is a good time to visit your physical therapist anyway. Your PT will be able to help you with this pain and save you from aggravating this injury or causing new ones.

Make sure to keep exercising. Whether you have exercises prescribed by your Physical Therapist for a condition currently being treated, you attend personal training or gym sessions, or you enjoy working out independently doing your favorite physical activity. Make sure to spend 30 minutes a day looking after YOUR body!!!

Avoid heavy lifting where possible. Split up large loads into smaller groups when carrying and moving items such as prezzies, decorations, and groceries. When this is not possible, make sure to take your time to use proper lifting techniques such as:
- Squatting to lift larger items
- Holding items close to your belly button
- Engaging your core muscles
- Avoiding arching your back

Practice good ergonomics. At this point, we are all aware of the importance of an ergonomic desk set up when sitting all day for work to avoid back and neck pain. How many of us think about this when performing tasks such as wrapping presents, for example:
- Sit in chair at a desk or table to wrap presents rather than sitting on the floor.
- Ask a friend or family member for help wrapping heavier items.
- Use a steady and sturdy ladder when reaching overhead to put up decorations.
- Carry grocery or shopping bags evenly on both sides of your body or use a shopping cart or dolly.

If you have pain or questions about staying pain free during the holidays, click here to contact us today to schedule your initial visit!

Don’t forget to follow us on social media: @pipelinephysicaltherapy

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