Use These Tips to Get Your Spine Ready for the Holiday Season

Now that we are in November, many residents in the Clear Lake, Texas, area are beginning to think of the holiday season. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, it is the time to celebrate the season with family and friends. However, those affected by spine pain may worry that their back will leave them out of the seasonal fun. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we believe that no one should be held back by back pain, so we’ve listed some helpful tips to get your spine feeling great by the time the holidays arrive:

Keep an Eye on Your Weight

It’s the time of year where delicious food seems to be everywhere. Between pumpkin pies, cookies, and other treats that appear around this time of year, it can be difficult to maintain your weight. However, it’s important to stick to a healthy diet to keep your spine feeling great. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests a correlation between being overweight and increased prevalence of back pain (1). While the occasional treat this holiday season is perfectly fine, be sure to maintain a diet that helps keep your weight in a healthy range to avoid back pain.

Lift Heavy Objects with Care

If you are decorating your home for the holiday season, there’s a good chance you’ll need to lift some heavy items. According to The Journal of Orthopedic Research, there is an increased risk for injury to the lumbar intervertebral disc in those who twist their body when lifting objects over 25 pounds (2). When lifting heavy decorations out of their boxes this season, be sure to utilize the strength in your legs to help lift, along with keeping your spine straight and in an aligned position.

Take Some Traveling Precautions

If you’re planning on traveling to visit family and friends this holiday season, you may want to take some precautions to prevent back pain. Long periods of sitting can worsen back pain. Traveling with a heating pad may help. According to the Journal, Spine, trials have shown that heat can reduce pain in those affected by acute and subacute back pain (3). Keeping a heating pad in your carry-on luggage allows you to utilize heat to ease back pain while you are traveling.

Include Back-Friendly Foods in Your Holiday Meals

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, not consuming enough fruits and vegetables can lead to chronic pain in the back and other areas of the body (4). Help ensure you’re getting enough of these inflammation-fighting foods by including them in your holiday meals. Some great foods to consider include sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and kale.

When it comes to getting ready for the holiday season, you want to make sure that your back is feeling it’s best. For those looking for a solution to their back pain, give the Spine Solutions Center at Houston Physicians Hospital a call at 832-340-2134.