Lifting That Heavy Box Doesn't Make You a Hero

By Donna Kostiew

It’s good common sense to know your limitations while working out, and for the most part, the majority of us do when we head to the gym. Knowing the maximum weight that our bodies can lift, and warming up before starting, is typically the smart way that most of us approach a serious workout.

So where does the common sense go when we are at home on the weekends, looking at those plastic bins of holiday decorations stacked tall and deep, knowing that we need to get to them, but unwilling to ask for help? Why does it seem that those heavy, awkwardly-shaped, half-taped boxes suddenly become light as a feather and that in the moment, we can move and lift them all by ourselves?

Don’t Hurt Your Back Trying to be a Holiday Hero

You stick to the rules while in the gym regarding proper lifting techniques, so keep on sticking to those rules while at home. Don’t fall victim to the Holiday Hero Syndrome. Here are some suggestions to help keep you in the holiday spirit and away from bed rest and pain.

• Bend at your knees when picking up an item -- and avoid twisting
• Know where you are going to place the object
• Make sure your path is clear to walk
• Avoid straining your back or overloading your spine
• Modify repeated movements to reduce pressure on your back
• Wear a lumbar support
• Get regular chiropractic adjustments

Did you notice that chiropractic care was added to that list? Seeing your local chiropractor is a key component of your overall health because it helps us to avoid those injuries we sustain around the home while unloading the lights and lifting that inflatable snowman above our heads.

Let Your Chiropractor Become the Holiday Hero

The seemingly menial tasks of holiday decorating can create a pain in the back that burns deep and stabs like a sharpened icicle. Your chiropractor can help by:

• Removing joint restrictions
• Maintaining the function of the spine
• Relieving muscle tension
• Preventing recurrence of past injuries
• Improving balance and range of motion

The adjustments provided by your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic help the joints in your back and extremities to work correctly. They keep your body moving as it was designed to, which will keep you safe while climbing up on that ladder or moving boxes from one side of the garage to the other. So whether you come in before you need it, or after you told your spouse “I got this,” chiropractic care can help prevent injuries or can help you with your recovery.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Ariz.