Love it or hate it, you are probably going to have to start doing it sometime soon. And you need to keep your back safe while you’re at it! We’re talking about Christmas shopping, of course – a frequent culprit for back pain! According to our London chiropractor, the number of back injuries usually increases during the Christmas period when we’re more concerned with playing Santa than looking after our bag-burdened spines.
So, to look after all you busy Christmas shoppers, we’ve put together three simple tips that will help you avoid back and neck injuries this year:
1. Get a Trolley
Even if you are only planning on buying a few things, use a trolley instead of a basket. Pushing a trolley will reduce the risk of you straining your back and neck muscles as you shop.
2. Keep Your Back Straight and Bend Your Knees
Whenever you lift a heavy item, remember to keep your back straight and bend at your knees. And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling to lift anything, or it causes you pain or discomfort.
3. Hold it Close
Holding a weight at arm’s length can seem up to seven times heavier, so keep heavy items close to your body as you carry them.
Enjoy the gift of great back health this Christmas!