As you begin holiday decorating this year, it’s important to remember to keep your back strong and healthy. Pulling out boxes of holiday decorations, hanging lights, and lifting heavy objects can put unnecessary strain on your back and neck muscles. Our team has researched the best ways to strengthen and safeguard your back and neck in order to keep you healthy and active in the holiday festivities. Check our top 5 tips to avoid back injury below1:
- Lift With Your Knees: Avoid twisting while lifting or lifting with your back bent.
- Stretch: Tight hamstrings can contribute to back-injury. Be sure to take ample time to stretch them out before you begin.
- Strengthen Core Muscles: Strong core muscles are vital to supporting your back and neck muscles when lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid Bending When You First Wake Up: Pressure in your discs is at its highest upon first waking, leading to a greater risk of herniation.2
- Go Easy On Yourself – Avoid Unnecessary Maneuvers: Be sure to ask for help if you need it and avoid any movements that might cause you injury. The goal is to enjoy the fun, not be out of commission for it!
DFW Laser Spine Institute is here for you every step of the way. If you suffer a back or neck injury this season, please contact us and we can discuss your options to get back to living pain-free. From our work family to yours, stay safe and happy holidays!
1: Spine-Health. 7 Tips to Protect Your Lower Back. Available: https://www.spine-health.com/blog/7-tips-protect-your-lower-back. Accessed November 16, 2020.
2: Howell ER. Conservative management of a 31 year old male with left sided low back and leg pain: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(3):225–232.