The holidays are approaching fast. If you're like most people, your holiday shopping sprees are ramping up. If that's the case, you can expect to experience some back pain, especially if you haven't taken steps to prepare. Unfortunately, lower back pain can put a damper on the holiday fun. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to prevent back pain caused by holiday shopping. Here are four steps to help you avoid back pain while you're shopping for the holidays.
Visit the Chiropractor
If holiday shopping usually leaves you with a bad case of back pain, start the season with a trip to the chiropractor. Chiropractic care can help prepare your back and spine for the physical exertion they'll experience while you're busy shopping for the holidays. Chiropractic care can also work to alleviate the discomfort you might experience when you overdo it during your holiday shopping excursions.
Watch the Way You Bend
If you're heading to the mall to do some holiday shopping, pay attention to the way you bend. You might not realize this, but the way you bend can have a lot of impact on the way your back feels when you get home. For instance, if you're doing a lot of bending and twisting at the waist while you're shopping, you can expect to experience some back pain. This is especially true if you're bending and twisting to pick up heavy packages. To reduce the risk of back pain, avoid bending at the waist. If you're after heavy items, have a sales clerk do the heaving lifting for you.
Warm-Up Before You Shop
If you're going shopping for the holidays, and you plan to be out all day, warm up before you head out. When you treat your body like you're getting ready to participate in a marathon, you'll alleviate some of the problems that can lead to back pain. That's because you give your muscles and joints a chance to get limber before you tackle the shopping. This is especially beneficial for protecting your back from injuries and pain during the holiday shopping season.
Lighten the Load in Your Purse
If you're heading to the mall for some holiday shopping, and you'll be carrying a purse, lighten the load before you leave. When you carry a heavy purse, you put additional strain on your neck and back, especially when it's loaded down with papers and other items. You can reduce the risk of neck and back pain by reducing the weight of your purse.