The holiday season brings many opportunities to start new initiatives to improve your health, but it can also bring on additional stress that can worsen chronic conditions such as back pain.
However there are a few simple tips on how to get through the holiday season when you’re suffering from back pain. If you have time off, use the time to start an exercise program. A chiropractor can help you create an exercise program that is safe for you. Exercise in a controlled, gradual, and progressive manner is one of the best ways to tell your body – especially the various structures in the spine – to heal.
Tip #1: If you can, take a full vacation day over the holidays and dedicate it to improving your physical conditioning.
Tip #2: Put some back pain products on your holiday wish list, such as an exercise mat for your daily stretching or an orthopedic back support for your car or office chair.
Tip #3: Make an appointment with a physical therapist and start an exercise program that is customized to your needs. Perhaps a physical therapy routine that incorporates water therapy, Swiss ball exercises, or yoga would best suit your condition and personal style. Be mindful that sometimes it becomes necessary to visit more than one physical therapist in order to find the help you need.
Tip #4: Consider seeing a nutritionist to review and enhance your eating habits. If most calories consumed are in the form of sugars (such as breads, processed foods, sweets), any calories not immediately needed for energy are converted into fat, which is not helpful for the healing process. Proper nutrition includes adequate protein as a source of the building blocks of soft tissue healing, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to supply the vitamins and trace elements necessary for effective healing.
