Well, that’s nearly it we’re almost wrapped for the year!
Just a quick note to let you know that we’ll still be open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week until 2pm; So if you’re feeling a bit off, tight or sore before Christmas, pop in and let us help you finish the year feeling good.
We had our Christmas party this Friday at the De Vere Horsley Estate, which was absolutely brilliant. Great food, lots of dancing, and plenty of laughs, a well earned celebration for an incredible team.
Earlier in the week we had our annual planning day, which was a fun (and slightly chaotic) deep dive into everything we’ve achieved and where we’re heading next. A special shoutout to our prize winners you’ve been fantastic. Truth be told, every single one of the team deserves a massive thank you! It’s been a challenging year but they’ve all pulled through, supported one another and kept the clinic buzzing. I couldn’t be prouder.
At home, we’re now in full on present wrapping mode (the scissors and tape are never where you left them) and the kids are climbing the walls with excitement.
Speaking of presents, I’ve received something pretty special. A good friend from America sent me a Stimpod machine an exciting new neuromodulation technology used widely in the States. It’s designed to help with nerve pain, neuropathies, diabetic nerve issues and even people recovering from stroke. I’ll be testing it out on my dad, who has MS, to see how it supports his mobility and sensation. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. I’m really hopeful!
Wishing you all a truly restful, happy and healthy Christmas. Thank you for being part of our clinic family this year and we’re so grateful for you. Enjoy your time off, and we’ll see you soon (we’ll be back again from 29th December!).
As the many years have become the norm, Christmas is magical! The lights are twinkling, the music is playing and suddenly your diary is full of shopping trips, long drives, festive meals, wrapping marathons, and that one chair you swear wasn’t designed for human backs. Somewhere between carrying bags, hosting family and sleeping on a mattress that isn’t yours… your back starts sending warning signals.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. At this time of year, we see a huge rise in people coming in saying, “It was fine… until Christmas happened.”
Why Christmas Is Tough on Your Spine
Christmas isn’t just busy, it’s physically demanding.
Here’s what quietly adds up:
Lifting and carrying more than usual
Shopping bags, boxes, suitcases, grandchildren, dogs… your spine doesn’t get a break.
Long hours of sitting (and slouching)
Travel, sofa time, dining chairs, wrapping gifts on the floor posture takes a festive holiday.
Sleeping in unfamiliar beds
Spare rooms, hotels, sofas… your spine notices everything.
Stress (yes, even the “fun” kind)
Stress tightens muscles, alters posture and increases pain sensitivity even when you’re enjoying yourself.
Individually, these things seem harmless. Together? They’re the perfect recipe for a sore, stiff, grumpy back.
The Festive Back Pain Myths
“It’ll settle after Christmas.” Sometimes it does. Often it doesn’t, especially if irritation builds over several weeks.
“I just need to rest.” Rest helps but movement, alignment and muscle balance matter just as much.
“It’s normal at my age.” Common? Yes. Normal? Not necessarily and definitely not something you have to put up with.
How Chiropractors Help During the Festive Season
At our Chiropractic clinic, Christmas care isn’t about “fixing” one sore spot it’s about helping your body cope with increased demands.
Chiropractic care can help by:
· Improving spinal mobility, i.e. spinal health during holidays so movement feels easier
· Reducing joint stiffness from prolonged sitting or travel
· Supporting posture during busy, high stress weeks
· Helping muscles relax and recover more efficiently
· Many patients tell us they don’t just feel less pain they feel more able to enjoy Christmas properly.
Simple Christmas Spinal Health Tips (That Actually Work) That you can do yourself:
1. Lift like you mean it: bend at the hips, keep items close, don’t twist. If you are lugging bin liners out or crates of empty bottles and you have been sitting down for 2 days straight, this is a typical way to injure your back. The muscles are stiff and not active, you do something simple like lift a bin bag and they reflex spasm. So warm up each morning and take it easy when lifting.
2. Wrap gifts on a table not the floor! If you are on the floor your body is in flexion and this puts pressure on the discs and neck. So stand up and keep your shoulders back, think standing desk when working at your computer.
3. Take posture breaks during long drives or film marathons (yes even Gavin and Stacey). Get up from the slumber every 60 mins and try not to fall asleep on the sofa in an awkward position. Easier said than done I know.
4. Stretch little and often your spine prefers consistency. A small routine first thing in the morning when you get out of bed will mobilise your back before the festivities start, try 2 minutes of downward dog, cat-camels and childs pose.
5. Don’t ignore early niggles, they’re your body’s way of whispering before it shouts. Give us a shout, we are in over Xmas and can help. Don’t let it build up. Start the new year the right way.
References
- Cohen, S. et al. (2019). Stress, posture, and musculoskeletal pain: mechanisms and clinical implications. Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
- Hoy, D. et al. (2018). The global burden of low back pain. The Lancet Rheumatology.
- Oakman, J. et al. (2020). Prolonged sitting, postural strain, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Applied Ergonomics.
- Goode, A. P. et al. (2019). Effect of spinal manipulative therapy on pain and function. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
- Wong, A. Y. L. et al. (2021). The effects of travel, sleep disruption, and stress on spinal pain. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice.
If you are wanting to chat more about the information above then why not book a call with me and we can go into more detail? Click here to book or if you want to get an assessment then Book a consultation with a Chiropractor here
If you do know someone who wants more advice, please send them our details. You can send them this assessment as well to diagnose their back pain. It is a great tool to understand where your back pain is coming from, it is free and takes 60 seconds. Click here for assessment
