Festive Season Strains: Prevent Back & Neck Pain Now
Although the holiday season can bring happiness, some people experience increased stress, longer shopping lists, and more physical strain than they normally endure throughout the year. It's no surprise that we see a rise in neck and back pain at the end of the year. During December, there are many ways we put extra stress on our bodies, such as long hours of shopping (often while carrying heavy bags), working in the kitchen preparing holiday meals, constant traveling or being away from home, and participating in or organizing holiday celebrations. This guide will explain how physiotherapy can help treat neck and back pain and how to prevent pain during the holiday season with targeted physiotherapy for neck pain.
Why Holidays Hurt Your Back and Neck
Strain on the Spine from Wrapping Gifts, Heavy Lifting, and Decorating
A common cause of strain on the spine during the holidays is wrapping gifts, lifting heavy boxes for storage, climbing ladders to hang lights, and carrying heavily loaded shopping bags—all of which involve awkward postures that put extra stress on the spine, leading to more lower back pain in December.
Traveling During the Holidays
Extended periods in a car, whether from travel or being cramped into an airline seat, can cause stiffness and tension in your muscles. These stresses lead to extra muscular tension in areas like your shoulders, upper back, and neck. When there's a lot of stress, it can also impact your nerves, causing discomfort or pain.
The Relationship Between Stress and Pain
Because of the stress created this time of year, tension caused to the shoulders, upper back, and neck will increase during this period, making coping with holiday stress an important part of pain prevention to avoid or minimize any physical discomfort.
The Effect of Physiotherapy for Back Pain
It is effective for both acute pain and discomfort due to standing for long periods of time. It reduces inflammation, restores mobility, improves posture, and prevents future flare-ups, all without medication or surgery.
Physiotherapy Provides Assistance in Preventing New Year Pain
The Prevention Power of Assessment
An assessment of muscle imbalance, postural problems, and motor patterns in a Physiotherapist’s professional opinion can identify any potential issues that may arise and require pre-emptive action, particularly during the holiday season.
Relief Provided by Physiotherapy
In the event of pain occurring during the holiday period, hands-on neck physiotherapy aims to relieve your discomfort as well as provide the opportunity to practice home-based exercises through directed and guided routines for your pain and mobility.
How to Stay Pain-Free This December
The way that you move daily, as well as being aware of the repetitive nature of many holiday activities, will influence your likelihood of developing pain in your back, neck, or shoulders from overactivity, etc. This includes being mindful to stretch regularly (i.e. neck, upper back, hips and hamstrings), drinking plenty of water to avoid muscle cramping and tightness, applying ice to newly inflamed areas and applying heat to chronic sore muscle areas to relieve tension.
How Often Should You Visit a Physiotherapist?
That is determined by your specific injury type and how this relates to your daily activities. Based on both these factors, the physiotherapist will formulate an individualised rehabilitation strategy for you so you can get back to the same activity levels you had before your injury.
A Pain-Free Holiday
Enjoy the holidays without the worry of being in pain. Not only will you have the opportunity to celebrate with your loved ones, but you will also have the opportunity to continue to be active and fit throughout the holiday season. Book your physiotherapy session today.
