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Tips for Dealing with Holiday-Related Back Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a whopping 50,000 people sustain winter-related back injuries every year. Not unsurprisingly, at least 5,800 of those injuries can be traced back to holiday decorating.
What should you do if you are one of the unfortunate 50,000 people who sustained a back injury during a holiday shopping frenzy, a fateful decorating spree, or an impromptu game of touch football? Here are a few tips for handling holiday back injuries and get back to on your feet before you can say “Kris Kringle.”
Number 1: Rest
Immediately after you’ve sustained a holiday-related back injury, it’s important to rest. This might be a little uncomfortable at first, but it’s the one of the best ways to alleviate muscle pain. Back pain experts recommend lying down on your back, or comfortably on your side.
Number 2: Ice & Compression
Icing the affected area will help reduce pain and swelling, which speeds the healing process. Light compression, such as an elastic bandage, will provide back support, reduce inflammation, and help you recover more quickly.
Number 3: Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatories
Common anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, can help reduce the pain and swelling that accompanies back injuries. (Of course, make sure that you don’t have any pre-existing medical conditions that prevent you from taking these medications.)
Number 4: See a Healthcare Specialist
Home remedies will do in a pinch, but it is still important to see a back pain specialist as soon as possible. With a proper diagnosis, you can begin the appropriate treatment, which may include physical therapy or massage.
Most importantly, never ignore your back pain after an injury or fall. Without proper care and treatment, what starts as a “simple” back pain injury can easily become a far more debilitating condition. At my Atlanta-based practice, I’ve seen a number of cases of minor back pain that developed into chronic injury without medical attention.
If you’ve suffered a back injury at work or have legal concerns, please contact Moebes Law at (404) 354-5432.
The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care.
