Focus on compassion!

Whether it’s the shorter days and early sunsets, the snowstorms and cold fronts, or just the lack of time spent outside, the winter months can be especially tough on our peace of mind. And those of us who suffer from chronic pain may already be a little more vulnerable than others when it comes to mental health, since the condition is considered one of the main causes for increased stress worldwide. There’s no doubt that it can be rough coping with back and neck pain, and for all the healthy lifestyle options you might exercise, and no matter how well you take care of yourself, sometimes a little compassion is what allows us to go the extra mile and overcome the stress and strain!

At its core, compassion is all about creating community, allowing someone who’s going through something tough to feel less alone. So if you know someone in your life who’s going through a tough time with chronic pain, why not join them in some of their steps toward recovery? Even if you don’t suffer from the same ailments, it won’t hurt to take a walk, go through some therapeutic light stretching or exercise routines, or take in a yoga class together! The key is to make it communal and make it fun; this will provide a much-needed boost to both the person suffering from chronic pain and the helper--because there’s nothing more likely to snap you out of the difficulties of the day-to-day than the company of an enthusiastic friend or family member!

If you’re the one dealing with pain, don’t stress--there are loads of options to help bring some compassionate community into your experience. Why not join a class or exercise group? Take the focus off of yourself and your difficulties and begin to share the burden with those around you. There are also plenty of support groups and online forums where you can get important info from real people going through the same things; not just the advice of a medical text or doctor (though those are important too)! Again, the key is to do anything you can to put your experience in a larger context and help yourself to understand that even though things may be tough from time to time, there are others out there experiencing many of the same problems.

Maintaining a sense of connection should be a priority for everyone, not just for those with chronic pain. And it should also be a priority year-round, not just during the holidays! Still, with the new year coming up, what better time to start than now? If there’s someone in your life going through the stresses and strains of chronic pain, let them know you “have their back,” so to speak! And if you are a sufferer yourself, know that you’re not alone!

Focus on travel!

Whether you’re seeing family, visiting friends or simply going somewhere you’ve never been before, traveling is a wonderful way to spend the holidays. But between the hassles of airports and planes, the traffic-filled highways and other logistical problems, it can also be quite a hardship. For those of us that suffer from back pain and related ailments, this is even more of an issue; simply spending a few hours stuck in a plane seat can aggravate our symptoms and turn what was supposed to be a relaxing trip into a painful ordeal. Luckily, there are solutions out there! Since back pain is estimated to be the single leading cause of disability worldwide, there are plenty of remedies in place to help make sure that those who refuse to give up traveling for business or pleasure can do so without aches, pains, or stress!

The key to pain-free traveling, whether in a plane, car, train--you name it--is preparation. Plan out your trip in advance and you’ll minimize the risk for running into problems and surprises down the line. For instance, before departing (depending on how severe your symptoms are), you may want to talk to your doctor to make sure that you’re healthy enough to travel, and see whether he or she has any tips on making the journey as smooth as possible. Once you’re clear to make the trip, be sure to pack as lightly as possible, and make use of curbside pickup and other services offered by the airline. If you take medication, be sure to bring extra in case of delays or hold-ups.

Once on the plane, follow ergonomic principles (get tips on those with this blog post!) as best you can. Those seats may not be the comfiest ones around, but try to make sure your neck and lumbar spine are being supported--if necessary, bring extra pillows or use your carry-on luggage to support your legs. If possible, try to book an aisle seat, as these give you a bit more of that precious leg-room. And don’t be afraid to get up and do some simple stretches on the plane (as long as it doesn’t interfere with the flight crew!)--because when it comes to back pain, as this Travel+Leisure article puts it, “embarrassment is not a consideration.”

Many of us will also be taking long road trips during the holidays. Luckily, in cars we tend to have more control over our seating than we do on planes, and can make adjustments accordingly--for instance, tilting our seats to allow leaning back instead of hunching forward, and keeping our arms relaxed (while still driving safely). The American Chiropractic Association estimates that around 75% of drivers aren’t using their headrests correctly; make sure it supports the back of your head and lower your risk of neck pain. And most importantly, take a lot of breaks--get out and walk around every two to three hours at minimum!

Once arriving at your destination, be sure to maintain any stretching or medicine routine that keeps you healthy--it’s no time to take a break from that! But be sure to also follow through on relaxing and giving yourself a vacation from the stresses that surround you, as these can be important contributors to our levels of pain. Take a load off and enjoy the holiday--you’ve earned it!

Focus on winter!

 

Yes indeed, folks, like it or not it’s that time of year: winter’s coming in! And while heavy snowfall, ice storms, earlynightfall and other unpleasant side effects are surely not the high points of the season, there are lots of great things about the season: exciting winter sports and activities, time inside with the family, holiday celebrations, and more. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of the potential pitfalls of the season, especially as they relate to your health. Here are some things to keep an eye on this winter season!

Arthritis and joint pain are major components of health year round, but they are sometimes known to flare up during the wintry months. In fact, some studies have suggested a link between cold weather and joint pain, and you’ve probably heard of the idea that folks suffering from arthritis can “predict” changes in weather by their pain levels. Still, whether or not this is actually the case, there is no doubt that cold, rain and other aspects of winter can make exercising harder to do (and certainly much less enticing) during those difficult indoor months. To combat this, why not focus in on some exercises that are more low-impact and manageable while still giving your body the workout it needs to stay fit and free of injuries? In winter, try exercises like swimming indoors, stretching or doing light exercises around the house, or even keeping your walking routine confined to indoor spaces such as shopping centers--but be aware that holiday shopping can bring its own safety hazards!

Another reliably difficult part of the season that is unavoidable for many of us is dealing with all of the snow that we’re likely to face. In fact, shoveling snow can be a major cause of back injury during the winter  (just as raking leaves can cause problems in the fall; seems we can’t catch a break until springtime!). To prevent injury, follow some simple guidelines for maintaining ergonomic practices. First of all, wear many layers so that your muscles stay warm. When shoveling, bend your knees to lift--don’t use your back! Always push snow straight ahead (don’t throw it, or jerk or twist suddenly), and keep your feet on the ground at all times. Lastly, a no-brainer: Take lots and lots of breaks!

Another major issue to look out for are slip and fall injuries. Face it: fresh snowfall, packed snowfall, freezing rain and slush and hail and all the rest--these conditions are simply the reality for many of us living in wintry parts of the country over the next few months. But these can result in slippery and dangerous surroundings for everyone. To stay safe, make sure to pay attention to your surroundings--know exactly where you’re walking, and avoid obvious hazards. Keep your eyes on your feet, and use handrails and supports whenever possible. In general, stay alert: no texting and walking! Move slowly when walking around; it’s worth a couple of extra minutes if it means you get to your destination safely! In this same vein, avoid shortcuts--walk (and drive!) on cleared, well-plowed roads. Lastly, avoid walking with your hands in your pockets--if you do lose balance, your arms can help you regain equilibrium.

Winter certainly brings with it its own challenges, but it also provides plenty of opportunities for fun and excitement all its own. Enjoy the treats of the season safely and responsibly by following these guidelines, and you’ll be healthy and ready for what’s to come!

Focus on your shopping safety!

Have you ever seen or been involved in the craziness of the Black Friday shopout? Well, we’re going to tell you all about what to do to stay safe in these situations. People are always wondering about their safety while shopping. These are some common questions regular pedestrians like you ask, “Are my children and I safe shopping during the holidays or black Friday?” or “does the store have employees around to keep things calm and under control?” In this post, we're going to break down some of the biggest dangers associated with shopping during the holiday season, and give tips on how to avoid them.

The first kind of shopping injury is the slip-and-fall. The most common effect of a slip-and-fall incident are head and body injuries. These sorts of accidents can occur for many reasons—from the craziness of crowds, having to reach for high-up or far-away items, or from structural safety lapses like a wet floor or poor lighting.

Another very common accident that can come from shopping is a cart injury. This can result in carts tipping over, or being struck by someone else’s cart. Children especially can be affected in this manner of injuries. An average of 21,600 children were treated annually for shopping injuries in the US between 1985-1996, anestimated 12,800 of whom were treated for falling out of their carts. Such falls can cause severe  injuries such as concussions and fractures. And the numbers have continued to rise; more than 24,000 children were treated in 2005, according to the American Academy of Pediatric.

Yet another kind of accident that can arisewhile shopping is an escalator or elevator incident. Accidents of this type kill roughly 30 people annually and injure about 17,000 in the United States alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of these incidents, roughly 70%, are caused by falls from the escalator.

                Overcrowding in malls and shopping centers can be a danger as well. This is the kind of injury that we see so much of on Black Friday or during shopping sprees. On Black Friday in 2008, a New York Wal-Mart employee was trampled by a stampede of shoppers, and since then, the Occupation Safety and Health Administration issued new crowd guidelines for retailers. Still, stores will be extra busy throughout the upcoming holiday season, so be careful! This also applies to the parking lots of America’s shopping centers, and parking lot injuries are another extremely common form of accident this time of year.  These problems may be made even worse by the extreme circumstances of shopping during the holiday season:  rear-ending and other types of collisions may occur as a result of crowded parking lots, tired drivers, and tensions running high. These types of incidents may result in injuries such as whiplash as well as back and neck trauma.

                So now you know many of the dangers that can affect shopper’s safety during the shopping seasons. So now get out there have fun shopping but please be cautious and remember to give back to needy people this season--give back and feel good!