Your Guide to Pain-Free Holiday Travel

Bottom Line:

Holiday travel can be brutal on your body. Long hours spent jammed into a small seat on an airplane has the potential to cause a flare up of pain in your low back or neck. Even if you are traveling by car, be careful when lifting suitcases that are stuffed with an entire closet worth of clothes and gifts.  Proper spinal alignment can help your body function at it’s the highest level and keep the holiday back pain at bay!

Why it Matters:

Your spine performs at its best when it has a balance of strength and flexibility. Chiropractic adjustments help your spine move comfortably through its entire range of motion. What’s more, when your spine is in alignment and balanced, your muscles perform better. Lifting too much weight at awkward angles can put a tremendous amount of stress on your spine and cause injuries, and after a few hours of sitting still in a plane or a car, your body isn't prepared to immediately start lifting 50 lb. suitcases. Be prepared and take a few moments during your travel to stretch, move your body, and warm up before doing any heavy lifting.

- Stop in and get adjusted before you leave on vacation to improve how you feel and function.

- If your flight is more than an hour, be sure to get up and stretch your legs.

- Be cautious and lift with your legs when moving suitcases and gifts.

Next Steps:

A lot of patients have told us that getting that adjustment before leaving for their vacation helped them avoid having a relapse of pain. Give your back a gift and consider coming in to get an adjustment before leaving on your vacation, and from our family to yours, happy holidays!

Science Source:

The effect of spinal manipulative therapy on spinal range of motion: a systematic literature review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2012

Treat Yourself to Good Health

Bottom Line:

Treat yourself to good health this holiday season by making good choices with your nutrition. The week between the end of the holidays and the new year can be a difficult time to eat healthy. The abundant leftovers, travel, and stress make it easy to compromise and stop by the drive-thru on the way home. But, did you know recent research indicates that the foods you eat can actually impact your likelihood of getting sick?

Why it Matters:

Inflammation can be triggered by the foods you eat, and chronic inflammation has been linked to everything from cancer to heart disease and even arthritis. However, by choosing the right foods, you can not only reduce your risk of illness but also reduce the prevalence of inflammation in your body. 

- The foods you eat can either increase or decrease the inflammatory disease process.

- Fried foods, refined carbohydrates, and sweet drinks cause inflammation and have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

- Fruits and vegetables are high in natural antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Next Steps:

Eating good, healthy food doesn’t need to be boring. Everyone on our team has a favorite tasty (and healthy) meal. So, if you are struggling to come up with ideas on how you can eat health, let us know! We would be happy to share some of our favorite meals to help inspire you this holiday season!

Science Source:

Foods that fight inflammation. Harvard Women’s Health Watch. 2017

How to Avoid Getting Sick During the Holidays

Bottom Line:

Do you get sick around the same time each year? The stress of the holidays (if not carefully managed) can wreak havoc on your immune system. When you feel stressed out, your immune system's ability to fight off harmful bacteria and infections is reduced. The stress hormone cortisol can suppress the effectiveness of your immune system, and many people become more prone to a not-so-healthy coping mechanism like eating inflammatory foods, smoking, and getting less sleep as a result.

Why it Matters:

Chronic holiday stress can take a toll on your immune system. Cortisol can create an inflammatory response that causes a cascade of aches and pains. In addition, your body decreases its lymphocyte production. These white blood cells are essential to helping fight off infections, and with less of them you could be more susceptible to viruses and colds. Looking for a few ways that you can proactively combat stress this season? Follow the health tips listed below to lower your stress and improve your immune system function.

- When you’re feeling stressed out, reach for a healthy snack instead of a sugary dessert.

- Take a few minutes before bed reduce your stress by reading or meditating.

- Stay active throughout the day by tracking your steps using your favorite fitness app.

Next Steps:

If you're concerned about staying on track with your healthy habits this holiday season, use your smartphone to help. Set daily reminders using our health tips above and come to our upcoming workshop. During the workshop, we will discuss additional strategies on how you can avoid getting sick during the holidays!

Science Source:

Stress and the inflammatory response: a review of neurogenic inflammation. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 2002

Feeling Great this Holiday Season

Bottom Line:

The holidays often bring plenty of cheer…and a healthy dose of seasonal stress. Between the travel, parties, and shopping, there are a lot of demands placed on your time, your mind, and your body, and all this commotion can result in muscle spasms and the recurrence of familiar aches and pains. For many people, these aches show up in two distinct areas - the low back and the neck and shoulders. Sound familiar?

Why it Matters:

Nagging low back or neck pain during the holidays can quickly turn into a flare-up that can sideline your holiday plans and pile on the frustration and stress. It’s a vicious cycle, but by making a few smart decisions now, you can position yourself to have a pain-free holiday season. Here are a few key holiday health facts to remember:

- Stress and fatigue can lead to the re-emergence of familiar aches and pains.

- Research has shown that Chiropractic adjustments can help decrease both pain and muscle tension.

- Staying on track with your care plan will help ensure that you are moving and feeling great this holiday season.

Next Steps:

We understand that the holidays are busy, but don’t let give you an excuse to put off self-care! Health and happiness go hand in hand, and your health is our top priority. By staying well-adjusted this holiday season, you’ll give your body the best opportunity to stay pain-free and yourself the best opportunity to start the new year off right. Be proactive and give us a call to schedule your next adjustment so you can be ready for family and festivities!

Science Source:

Mechanism of action of spinal manipulative therapy. Joint Bone Spine. 2003