Wrapping Gifts? Learn the Hidden Danger to Your Back.

By Krista Elliott

It's that time of year again! It's not hard to tell that Christmas is right around the corner. Twinkly lights are glowing, the cookies are baking, and the toy shops are bustling. Kids everywhere are bursting at the seams with excitement, while the adults everywhere are scrambling to get everything done in time for St. Nick.

One of those things that needs to get done, and is typically on everyone's holiday to-do list, is wrapping all of those painstakingly chosen presents. The curly ribbons, pretty paper, and colorful bows are a great way to unleash our inner Martha Stewart (admit it, we all have an inner Martha), while helping to make the surprise inside all the more exciting. And wrapping gifts can be a lot of fun if you make an event out of it by adding in a little eggnog and some carols playing in the background.

The Twelve Days of Subluxations

Unfortunately, wrapping presents can also be hard on the back. It's not uncommon for people to sit on the floor bent over while wrapping and wrangling giant rolls of paper. This, however, can place a lot of stress on the neck, shoulders, and spine, leading to subluxations, strains, and worse — nothing you want to have to deal with over the busy holiday season! Here are a few tips to stave off pain while still getting the job done.

• Wrap your presents as you buy them. Leaving everything until the last minute on Christmas eve will be a lot of strain on your back, especially as you'll be hurried and prone to forgetting good ergonomics. Just don't forget to put tags on them so you don't forget whose is whose!

• Avoid sitting on the floor. Sit at a table on a supportive, comfortable chair.

• If you choose to stand at a counter, do so on a non-slip mat and wear supportive shoes.

• Gather up all your supplies and create a working station so that everything in within arm's reach. Yes, you'll still keep misplacing your scissors and tape underneath the wrapping paper, but at least they'll be close by.

• If the number of gifts you've got to wrap is overwhelming, use gift bags. Just don't give them to those prone to peeking! 

If, however, you do find yourself with some aches and pains after you've wrapped your umpteenth present, stop by The Joint Chiropractic. Our chiropractors can safely and naturally treat back pain with gentle and precise adjustments, helping you face the holidays much more comfortably. You might even feel great enough to smile when the kids tear apart your carefully wrapped paper in 0.0006 seconds flat.

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