Follow Us

For the latest Health Information and Wellness Tips from PIH Health.

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram

Published on December 22, 2022

Five Surprising Ways the Holidays Cause Back Pain

Image of Woman with Back PainDoes your back hurt during the holiday season? While our schedules can fill up with seasonal activities, it is normal to feel a little more exhausted. However, aches and pains can take away from the holiday fun, especially back discomfort.

Here are five surprising ways that the holidays may cause backaches:

  • Lifting. Whether you are carrying heavy presents, bringing in a carload of groceries or hauling home a tree, your back can pay the price. “To avoid back pain, don’t lift too much at one time and use proper form when lifting. Keep your feet shoulder width apart, bend from your knees (not from your back) and slowly lift by straightening your knees and maintaining good posture,” explains PIH Health Physical Therapist Michael Leal.
  • Decorating. Climbing up and down ladders and reaching to hang decorations may cause you to pull a muscle or strain your back. Be careful when hanging decorations and don’t reach too far. Avoid repetitive lifting or twisting and ask for help with large, heavy or awkward decorations. It’s also helpful to do a few stretches before and after you begin decorating to warm up your muscles.
  • Traveling. Many people do more traveling than usual during the holidays, which can cause your back to hurt. From long road trips to sitting on a plane, you may get to your destination with an aching back. Remember to stand up often and stretch, even if that means making a few extra stops along the way.
  • Stress. You know all that stress you may be feeling during the holidays? It can all show up as back pain if you’re not careful. When we are stressed, our bodies tense up and that tension can cause pain. Not only is it good for your back to find ways to de-stress, but your overall mental and physical health will benefit if you use stress-relaxing techniques.
  • Relaxing. How can relaxing hurt your back? All that sitting around and lounging may cause your back and hips to get stiff and achy. While taking some time off to unwind is good for you, try not to be too sedentary or you may feel the pain. Mix in some physical activity with all that sitting around, even if it’s just a walk around the block or a few stretches while watching your favorite holiday movie.

As you enjoy the holidays, take a few extra precautions to avoid back pain and strain. By taking good care of yourself, you’ll not only help your back, but you’ll help your health in many other ways. To find a PIH Health Physician visit PIHHealth.org/Find-A-Doctor.

Copyright 2022 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Health eCooking® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Cook eKitchen™ is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

The information in Healthy Living Online is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.  The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation, or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan.

Copyright 2024 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Cook eKitchen™ is a designated trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

This Recipe first appeared in Health eCooks®.