Don't Deck Your Halls Until You Read This

By Krista Elliott

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. 'Tis the season to be jolly! Well, until you almost break your neck getting those berries placed just right, that is.

Decking your halls ... as well as your mantel, windows, doors, roof and shrubbery are what really transform this time of year into something festive and exciting. But, as magical as a house filled with candy canes, garland, and twinkling lights may be, drenching your house in Christmas cheer can be anything but a gift to the health of your spine and joints. 

So Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding ... And a First Aid Kit

Injuries around the holidays are not uncommon, unfortunately. While making your house look pretty, you may be at risk for the following:

• Strains and subluxations, from stretching and reaching overhead to place that shining star on the tree, or from continuously lifting your small helper (and I don't mean an elf) who wants to assist placing the decorations.
• Lower back injuries and misaligned discs from lifting heavy bins of baubles, moving the furniture to make room for the tree, or lugging the perfect evergreen up your front steps.
• Major spinal and joint injuries from falling off of ladders or even the roof (yikes!) while trying to one-up the neighbors in the outdoor lights department. 

Ho! Ho! Hold that Ladder!

The work involved and the risk of injury can make even the most festive of us want to just throw a pile of lights on the ground, with a "GOOD ENOUGH" sign taped to them. Don't give up hope, though. With some sensible precautions, you can still Clark Griswold the heck out of yor home, while still having a happy spine and joints:

• When lifting items, squat down to keep your back straight and lift at the knees.
• Carry boxes close to your body, and take more frequent trips with smaller loads.
• Place your boxes of decorations on a table instead of the floor so you don't have to bend down each time you want another bauble.
• Don't overreach when putting up decorations. Use a stepstool, and move it when needed to avoid dangerous leaning.
• If you absolutely must string up lights, or put that inflatable reindeer up on the housetop, be careful. Use a sturdy ladder, wear boots with treads, and get help from a friend.
• Keep stairwells free of decoration. Sure, boughs on railings look pretty, but they render the railing useless if you should stumble on the stairs. 

Before you break out the tinsel, make sure to pop by The Joint Chiropractic. Our chiropractic doctors use precise and gentle adjustments to get your back and joints feeling great, helping to enhance your well-being, reduce pain, and improve your balance. And if you do overdo it, The Joint can help you get back on your feet faster, offering effective, drug-free pain relief that can speed your healing process.

So come by The Joint today! You don't even need an appointment to get the kind of care that will have you rockin' around the Christmas tree all season long.