Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends, expressing gratitude for our blessings, and eating scrumptious dishes. Unfortunately, certain activities can increase the risk of spine pain. To keep your spine healthy, it’s important to recognize which Thanksgiving activities can be detrimental to your spine and take steps to lessen their impact. In this article, we’ll explore 5 activities that can make spine pain worse, their causes, and how to mitigate their effect.
1. Shopping
Shopping, whether it’s for decorations or food, is an important part of pre-Thanksgiving preparations. But lifting unfamiliar items and carrying heavy bags can cause strain and worsen spine pain. As a precaution, you should always bend your knees while lifting heavy items and avoid twisting your body while carrying them. Splitting up items across several bags and using a rolling cart can also help.
Tips for Shopping with Spine Pain:
- Plan ahead and buy smaller items in advance when possible.
- Avoid carrying too much at once
- Avoid bags with long straps, as they can force you to bend your spine
- Take breaks frequently
2. Cooking
Cooking dishes for the Thanksgiving feast is another challenging task. Standing in the kitchen for extended periods of time can cause the spine to become fatigued, leading to additional pain. Investing in anti-fatigue mats or cushioned mats made specifically for the kitchen is one way to combat fatigue.
Tips for Cooking with Spine Pain:
- Take breaks to stretch and relax
- Use a footstool to provide relief while working
- Bend your knees rather than your back
- Try to stay close to the stove or countertop
- Invest in kitchen accessories that can prevent the likelihood of over-reaching
3. Cleaning
Cleaning before and during the Thanksgiving feast is another necessary task. But leaning and stretching can be hard on your spine, especially if you have bad posture. You should also be aware of which products you’re using and make sure to wear gloves when necessary.
Tips for Cleaning with Spine Pain:
- Bend your knees when scrubbing the floors
- Avoid activities that require you to reach up or across
- Use a stepladder when necessary
- Keep your objects in close reach to avoid over-reaching
- Be aware of which products you’re using and wear gloves when necessary.
4. Decorating
Decorating the home for Thanksgiving is a festive activity. But standing on ladders and climbing in attics are dangerous activities that can be hard on your back. Too much physical strain can cause irritation and make your spine pain worse.
Tips for Decorating with Spine Pain:
- Don’t strain yourself with heavier items
- Use a professional ladder for higher items
- Keep your objects in close reach to avoid over-reaching
- Avoid uncomfortable postures or positions
- Take frequent breaks to rest and prevent overexertion
5. Eating
Eating out of mismatched chairs, tables, and beds can strain your neck and spine and worsen pain. Eating with bad posture also puts additional strain on the spine, leading to additional pain. Taking frequent breaks in between meals can help alleviate some of that pain.
Tips for Eating with Spine Pain:
- Use chairs with armrests to reduce neck strain
- Avoid sitting on chairs with wobbly legs
- Keep your objects close to avoid the need to reach
- Support your forearms when supporting heavy plates or trays
- Take regular breaks from sitting to reduce strain
People Also Ask
Which activities can increase spine pain?
Activities that involve lifting heavy items, bending, reaching, or standing for extended periods of time can increase the risk of spine pain.
What should I do if I have spine pain?
If you are experiencing spine pain, talk to your doctor or physical therapist. They may be able to recommend exercises or physical therapy that can help relieve pain.
What can I do to lessen the impact of activities that worsen spine pain?
Ensuring that you practice good posture and use proper lifting techniques can help lessen the impact of activities that can worsen spine pain. Additionally, taking frequent breaks and avoiding overexertion can help reduce your risk.
Final Words
As with any physical activity, proper safety measures must be taken to ensure that you don’t inadvertently worsen your spine pain. If you have an existing condition, consult with a medical professional before engaging in any activity that may affect your spinal health. With that being said, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a painful event. Just take the necessary precautions, be mindful of the activities you’re engaging in, and enjoy the holiday season!