I have a confession. I LOVE the holiday season. I mean, I REALLY love it.
Black Friday (1940 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
But I TRULY hate shopping. In fact, I have a vision of hell and it looks like the check out lines at Walmart on Black Friday! LOL!! It scares me just as much as the old Boris Karloff movie, Black Friday! So I thought I would poke a little fun and share some tips regarding having a healthy Back Black Friday.
Actually, it is not too uncommon for people to get injured in all the hustle and bustle of Black Friday shopping so in an effort to help Black Friday shoppers as well as Cyber Monday shoppers I’d like to remind you of a few important tips to help keep your back healthy through the holidays.
Step one. Go to my website and watch the videos on how to loosen up your back so that when you’re carrying all of the stuff you buy your back will hopefully be able to take the strain.
Another thing to keep in mind is if you’re going to be one of those people racing to get a limited supply of a toy that you know your kid is going to not appreciate anyway (Oops…did I say that… I know I was thinking that, but did I say that out loud? LOL!) then you really should consider the shoes you will be wearing. Fashion and function don’t always co-exist very well so low or no heels for the ladies and I would not suggest that the guys wear their old football cleats from highschool. Although it may turn into a rugby-like scrum, it is still in your healths best interest to not wear cleats.
To all of the ‘camp over night on concrete sidewalk’ people. Honestly, your best bet is to come to my office on Saturday morning (November 24th) so that I can fix your back because a night on concrete is going to mess up your hips, back, neck, and who knows what else so I hope that flat screen TV or other electrical gadget is worth the pain! And, by the way, if it’s a really good deal will you get one for me too? LOL I’ll fix your back and you hook me up with a sweet flat screen deal?
More tips… For our Cyber Monday shoppers remember that hunching your shoulders while typing can lead to back and neck strain so take a moment and do some deep breathing before you jump online to try to get those super deals. Also, be sure you’re sitting in an ergonomically sound fashion.
Hunching over your laptop as you sit on the floor is NOT doing your back, neck, shoulders or wrists any favors. Incorrect hand positioning has proven to lead to carpel tunnel. Although I’ve been very successful in helping relieve carpel tunnel pain as well as other back and neck pains, I would prefer to help you prevent the situations so that you don’t have to deal with the various neck and back pains. That makes sense doesn’t it?
Another thing for the Black Friday shoppers: Be sure you’re bending your knees when lifting the heavy bags and keep your knees bent when placing the bags in your trunk. Many times placing items in your trunk creates an awkward strain on your body that could cause hamstring and lower back issues.
Last, but not least. Remember the real reason for the season. Gift giving is great, but the self induced stress associated with the Holidays can really cause significant health challenges. Make this year different.
Enjoy your shopping and remember:
“I’ve got your back”
Dr. Scot Gray
