So. Many. Gifts. 6 tips for strain-free holiday shopping
As you prepare for the busy holiday season, don’t let joint pain and discomfort dampen your holiday spirit. Try these tips to prevent the knee pain, shoulder pain and foot pain that can be unwelcome surprises as we increase or change our activities this time of year.
- Wear comfortable, supportive footwear during long shopping trips or extended holiday errands.
- Try gentle stretching after shopping, decorating and other holiday activities to ease tension.
- When carrying packages, wrapping presents or doing chores, ask your family, friends or neighbors for help. Overdoing it can put you at risk for injury.
- For tight and sore muscles at the end of the day, apply moist heat to the affected area.
- For swollen or irritated joints, try ice and anti-inflammatory medication.
- Try to get a good night’s sleep. Enough rest will give your muscles and joints time to recover.
If you have joint pain or muscle tension that persists, stops you from doing what you need to do, or doesn’t respond to your usual home remedies, contact me or one of my colleagues for an evaluation.
We can help by assessing and treating injuries, illnesses and medical conditions related to exercise, work, sports and everyday life. We care for people of all ages and activity levels — at any time of year.
