Shop, but don’t drop!
MANILA, Philippines - “Shop till you drop” is a cliché among shopaholics, and it usually connotes a day of fun, or what today’s hipsters refer to as “retail therapy.” Yet for many, while shopping is an escape from mundane or everyday lives, “shopping till you drop” does have its consequences. Back pain, neck pain, and headaches are the three most common symptoms that people feel at the end of a long day of shopping.
Endure the pain of Christmas shopping by following these 12 simple tips:
• Wear your most comfortable shoes. Shoes with good padding and support make long walks more comfortable and help to prevent back pain.
• Avoid heavy handbags. Clean out your bag regularly so you’re only carrying items that you really need for the day. Don’t bring unnecessary items in your purse on your long shopping days. Backpacks are advisable because they help to distribute weight evenly across your neck, shoulders and back.
• Lift with care and never try to lift anything that’s too heavy. You should bend your knees, squat down, keep the arch of your back, and use your legs to lift while contracting your abdominal muscles. Do not lift and twist. If you need to carry something from the floor and put it behind you, turn your whole body with your feet.
• Avoid reaching and lifting. When reaching for something on the shelf, it’s better to ask a store employee to assist you than risk injuring yourself.
• Don’t overload one side of your body. Try to balance the load across your entire body by equally using both arms. It’s always better to have two small bags than one big heavy bag.
• When unloading your car, don’t carry all heavy bags to the house all at once. Make multiple trips to the car or ask someone to help you.
• Use a lumbar support if you are shopping with back pain, and take frequent rest stops throughout the day by sitting.
• Get in the habit of contracting your abdominals to engage your core muscles when walking, carrying heavy things, or lifting things off the floor. This will help protect your back.
• Drink plenty of good quality water. It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re concentrating too much on shopping. Bring a water bottle to serve as a reminder and take sips throughout the day. Do not use thirst as an indicator of when to drink water.
• When you are experiencing back pains, exercise proper self-management by stretching, applying cold or hot compress depending on the indication. If your back pain is not going away, don’t delay and seek treatment right away. Chiropractic adjustments and myotherapy are highly effective methods for pain management.
• Make sure you get a good night’s sleep to get your body prepared for a long shopping day.
• Don’t push yourself to do too much shopping in one day. Keep these pointers in mind and be prepared as you start your holiday shopping!
Cancio Chiropractic is located in Missouri cor. Connecticut, Greenhills, Unit 202, second floor, 722-7530 / 0917-580-7530. By appointment only. Visit us at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/canciochiropractic.
