Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
’Tis the season… for back pain, so be careful. As orthopedic doctors, we tend to see more cases of back and joint pain during the holidays than almost any other time of year. Many factors cause this uptick in patients. The stress of the holidays is surely one factor. Here are a few other contributors to be aware of as we enter the holiday season:
Lifting – Whether it’s big gifts, trees, turkeys, children, or that classic back-breaker shoveling snow, make sure that you are very careful when you lift. Try not lift away from your body. Think of the old adage “lift with your legs” or lift as little heavy weight as possible.
Precarious Positions – Be extremely careful when you are in odd positions, such as reaching from atop ladders, or pulling holiday boxes that are tucked back into crawlspaces. Likewise, if you know you have a tender back, try to avoid fighting crowds for the best Black Friday sales.
Eating & Drinking – We tend to eat and drink more than usual this time of year. Keep in mind that an over-stuffed belly or one too many drinks can lead to inertia or questionable judgement. Make a pact with yourself that you will remember your back and joints before, during, and after your seasonal intake.
Doing Nothing – Perhaps the least obvious pitfall during the holidays, at least as far as back pain is concerned, may be doing nothing at all. Sitting around for long periods, after eating and drinking more than usual, and falling asleep in your favorite chair in front of the TV can seriously compromise a bad back. Be wary of getting up too fast, especially if you plan to immediately bend or lift something.
This holiday season, try to stretch and remain limber and be careful of over-exerting yourself or attempting awkward physical positions, like reaching or crawling, that you are not accustomed to.
Dr. James Leipzig and everyone at Virginia Spine Care wants you to have a healthy and happy holiday season. We’re here if you need us. Just call 540-725-9771 or ask your physician for a referral to Virginia Spine Care.
