Holiday Safety Tips
Happy holidays to our patients, family, and friends!
Once again, the holiday-crazy-time is upon us. Follow these simple tips to avoid injury as you prepare for gift-giving, hosting, traveling, and relaxing.
Wrapping presents?
Be sure to:
Avoid sitting on the floor or a soft surface. Instead, sit at the kitchen or dining room table to decrease stress on the spine and pelvis.
Avoid reaching for objects. Walk around the table to reach what you need. If you must reach, tip forward from the hips to hip hinge and keep your spine in a “neutral” position.
Bend at the knees and hips when picking items up off the floor or ask for help when handling large or heavy objects.
Shop online and splurge for the gift wrapping option!
Take breaks. Try to avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes. In case you missed our last post, READ MORE on wrapping.
Traveling?
Remember:
Bring lumbar support (and neck pillow) for travel on planes and in the car.
On long car rides, stop and walk every hour if possible. This would be a great time to do a few PT exercises!
Most back injuries occur when getting luggage, etc. OUT of the trunk. This is due to the “pre-injury” that happens from sitting with bad posture on long car rides. Get close to the load and keep a neutral spine.
Use rolling luggage and bend your knees and hips when lifting. Don’t over-bend or arch your back when lifting to the overhead compartment.
Hosting?
Keep your abdominals and pelvic floor braced when lifting the roast beast in and out of the oven.
While cleaning your house, keep your core tight and your spine straight. Take rest breaks as needed. If possible, get help so that you can focus on other things.
Check out this video for guidance on vacuuming
Most importantly
Don’t go down the chimney alone!
Be aware that excessive giving leads to cardiomegaly, but it’s totally worth it, just ask the Grinch!
Should your aches and pains threaten to derail your holiday, CONTACT US to address those issues ASAP.