December is a busy month with presents to buy, meals to cook, and parties to throw. Unfortunately, the winter weather and holiday tasks can take a toll on your joints. Dealing with pain while tackling your holiday to-do list can make the season less than jolly. Here are five reasons seeing your chiropractor this month will brighten your holidays.
1. Chiropractic Care Banishes Aches and Pains
It’s no secret that weather affects joint pain. If you’ve been feeling achy, cold weather and changes in barometric pressure may be to blame. The tissues in your joints expand and contract in response to temperature changes, aggravating joint conditions like arthritis, and repetitive use injuries. Our bodies react to cold by tensing muscles, so muscle aches and stress headaches become more common this time of year. Tense muscles are less flexible and more easily injured—something to keep in mind when shoveling snow.
Your chiropractor can treat the joint conditions that are the root cause of weather-related pain. Adjustments and laser therapy are effective treatments for conditions like carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, knee pain, and neck pain.
Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing cells and bring circulation to the area. Many areas prone to repetitive use injuries struggle to heal because they don’t receive robust circulation. Laser therapy can jumpstart the healing process and dramatically relieve pain.
2. Adjustments Calm Stress and Improve General Health
The holidays are fun, but all the extra tasks they bring can cause stress. Stress may be to blame if your back and shoulders hurt after rushing around doing holiday shopping (or when you look at your bank account afterward). Like cold, stress causes muscles to tense. The two together can leave you feeling tight and sore all over. Chiropractic care addresses stress-related pain in two ways. It works directly on muscles and joints to relax and realign them, and it has a positive effect on the nervous system.
Many people struggle to keep up their self-care routines during the holidays. It’s essential to be consistent, especially when cold weather and holiday stress combine to wear you down. Regular chiropractic adjustment is linked with several benefits, including better sleep, less stress and anxiety, and improved immunity.
Seeing your chiropractor once a month will keep your spine correctly aligned and improve flexibility and range of motion. These effects reduce your risk of injury as you go about your winter activities. Plus, your chiropractor can provide tips on good posture and other lifestyle changes to help you avoid pain and injury throughout the year.
3. To Treat Injuries
From hauling boxes of decorations to shoveling snow, December is full of activities that can hurt your back. If you are injured, you should see your chiropractor right away for an assessment. Prompt treatment is your best chance to heal quickly and completely regain function.
Sometimes pain doesn’t begin until a few days after the injury. Your chiropractor will ask you about your recent activities and give you an exam to determine the nature of your injuries. Once diagnosed, he’ll recommend a treatment plan. Manual adjustments, laser therapy, and spinal decompression therapy are some of the treatments your chiropractor may recommend. He may also prescribe exercises and stretches for you to do at home. It’s important to follow your home care instructions, as these play a vital role in the healing process.
Your chiropractor can treat muscle strains and sprains, ligament, and tendon injuries, spinal disc injuries, and joint injuries. If your injury requires care from an orthopedist or other specialist, your chiropractor can work with them to design a supportive care plan.
4. To Improve Your Holiday Travel Experience
Going home for the holidays is an American tradition, but getting there can be uncomfortable. Cramped planes, long car rides, and hotel mattresses all take their toll. To avoid back and neck pain flare-ups, it’s a good idea to see your chiropractor before and after your vacation. A pre-vacation adjustment, like a pre-trip car tune-up, will make sure everything is in working order and less likely to break down. When you get home, you’ll need an adjustment to realign your spine and treat any pain you’re experiencing.
5. Get a Head Start on Your New Year’s Goals
Many people put better health at the top of their New Year’s resolution list. Chiropractic care can help you achieve your wellness goals.
Have you been putting off seeking treatment for aches and pains? Or for a systemic problem like allergies or digestive issues? If so, you should consider scheduling a consultation with your chiropractor in December. You can set up a treatment plan to start immediately or after the holidays, whichever works for you. Some treatments may require a commitment for several weeks. Finishing your treatment plan will improve your chances of experiencing long-term pain relief. Make it a New Year’s goal to stick to your treatment plan all the way to the end. Don’t forget to set aside a little time for any at-home exercises your chiropractor prescribes.
One of the most common New Year’s goals is a new or improved workout plan. Before you dive into this, it’s a good idea to make sure your spine is in optimal condition. A healthy spine will help you perform better and make you less prone to injuries. You should also see a chiropractor regularly in the New Year to support the changes your body will undergo as your fitness improves. More muscle mass or a drastic weight change can impact your balance and back health. Regular adjustments can keep everything working as it should.
Chiropractic Care in Murfreesboro
At Stanlick Chiropractic, we offer comprehensive chiropractic care. Schedule a consultation today to find out how we can help you feel your best for the holidays.