Read on to find out the most common Christmas injuries and how a visit to an osteopath can help this festive season.
Christmas is on the horizon, and there’s nothing better than getting into the festive spirit as we lead up to the big day. But did you know, as osteopaths, we see some common Christmas injuries? While you might not think Christmas to be a risky time for joint pain and muscle strains, there are plenty of ways you can suffer common Christmas injuries.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the most common Christmas injuries and what you can do to avoid them.
- Stand tall when Christmas shopping
After hours trekking through the shops, it’s easy to let your posture slip. To preserve the health of your back and hips, adopt the correct standing position when you can. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, let your arms hang down naturally and stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled in. - Use a wheelie bag rather than carrying large bags
We’ve all been there, trudging around the shops, multiple bags in hand. When you’re carrying lots of bags, it places undue stress on your joints and muscles. Believe it or not, back and muscle strain from carrying too much load is one of the most common Christmas injuries we see. To avoid this, we recommend using a wheelie bag to carry your shopping, and if you can, to drop bags off at the car as often as you can, rather than carrying them around.
If you don’t have the car with you, make sure to take a friend to share the load and stop for plenty of coffee breaks! - Be careful getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft
We would always recommend that when you are bringing the Christmas decorations down from the loft that you ask a friend or family member to help you. Rather than straining with heavy boxes as you stand on a ladder, make sure you have a friend to pass boxes to so that they can carefully put the box down and you can avoid pouting unnecessary strain on your back. - Get enough sleep
Christmas is a jolly time when we spend quality time with our nearest and dearest. But it can also be a busy, stressful time that entails late nights and overindulgence. When you sleep, your joints and muscles repair themselves – so when you miss out on shut eye, your body isn’t getting the chance it needs to heal from the toll of the day. If you can, keep to your usual sleep routine and ensure you’re getting enough rest. - Avoid sitting for too long
Cosying up with a box of chocolates and a Christmas film is a rite of passage during December. But sitting for too long can make your joints and muscles seize up, leading to pain and discomfort. To keep your blood flowing and joints working smoothly, avoid sitting for too long – and make sure you have regular breaks when you get up and walk around. - Be careful when you’re dancing
There’s nothing quite like a Christmas boogie, but dancing in heels can cause you to fall, spraining an ankle in the process. We’re not saying to ditch the heels completely, but make sure you feel comfortable and confident before you head out for a night on the dancefloor – your ankles will thank you!
Why you should visit an osteopath if you’ve sustained common Christmas injuries
As osteopaths, we look to restore the normal function and stability of your joints, and to help your body heal itself. We use a range of gentle and forceful massage techniques, and manoeuvre your joints into the correct position. The specific techniques we use depend on the kind of problem you’re facing. If you’re looking to visit an osteopath, the team here at Fiona Passey Osteopaths in Halesowen or Wombourne would be delighted to help. To start the first stage of your healing and visit an osteopath, please contact us today.
