The holiday season is a time for rest, relaxation, and fun. Yet for about half of Americans, it’s also painful, resulting in stiffness, musculoskeletal discomfort, and mobility issues.
If the thought of lugging decorations out of storage and hanging lights makes your back and neck ache, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to suffer either!
At The Clinic Houston Chiropractic in Katy, Texas, chiropractor Michael Shiha, DC, specializes in treating seasonal musculoskeletal issues. Here, he explains how holiday stress takes a toll on your body and highlights how chiropractic care can help you stay comfortable now and into the new year.
Many people think of stress as an emotional burden. It’s something that happens when you’re busy or feeling overwhelmed. However, if stress becomes chronic, it can take a physical toll, tightening your muscles, increasing your risk of poor posture, and leading to musculoskeletal problems like back pain and neck pain.
These side effects can worsen stress, leaving you tense and exhausted. Since the holidays tend to kick stress into high gear, finding ways to keep it in check over the next few weeks is essential for having a good time.
Thankfully, chiropractic care can help. Aligning your spine and teaching you natural stress management techniques can make it easier to navigate the holiday hustle and bustle.
Chiropractic care uses spinal adjustments and other manual techniques to align your musculoskeletal system. This alignment improves your circulation, reduces inflammation, and lets you move more comfortably.
That’s because chiropractic care:
You don’t even need to be experiencing musculoskeletal problems to benefit. Undergoing a chiropractic adjustment once a month or once every two weeks can ease muscle tightness and tension and help you feel your best throughout the holidays.
Routine chiropractic adjustments are only one of the ways to manage stress and pain during the holidays. Dr. Shiha also recommends regular self-care, such as staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, and using mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga, to reduce overwhelm.
It can also be beneficial to regularly evaluate your schedule. This time of year, it’s easy to commit to as many things as possible, but that can quickly drain your energy. Only attend events that really matter to you, and don’t worry about the rest. It’s better to give yourself time to relax and decompress than to do too much and burn out.
If you’re already feeling stressed about the holidays, chiropractic care can help you gain perspective and feel your best. To schedule a spinal adjustment, call Dr. Shiha at 346-387-0622 or request an appointment online today.
