Tag Archives: Holidays

Holiday Survival Guide

Holiday Survival Guide

Holiday Survival Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of year, but sometimes all the holiday cheer can take a toll on your health. Follow these five tips to avoid a case of the humbugs this holiday season.

1. Keep off the Santa belly

keepoffsantabelly

With time constraints during the holidays, it’s easy to break away from your normal exercise routine. However, maintaining a regular exercise routine is the best way to keep your body healthy after eating all the delicious holiday treats. If spare time is slim, try one of these 10-minute at home workouts.

2. Water, not eggnog

eggnog

It’s hard to say no to eggnog, but drinking plenty of water helps keep your joints flexible and pain-free. Also keep in mind drinking alcoholic beverages will dehydrate you, try to keep water close by at your holiday parties. *Remember: you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day, so bring water with you wherever you go.

3. Sleep in peace

sleeping guy

Between shopping for the perfect gift, baking sweet treats and attending holiday parties, you’re going to run yourself ragged. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep will reduce the stress on your bones.

4. Decorate with caution

decoratewithcaution

Each year, approximately 6,000 people will visit the emergency room due to a decorating-related fall. If you’re still adding the finishing touches to your holiday decorations, remember to use safety first.

5. Stock up the freezer

stock up the freezer

The holiday season is a busy time of year for everyone, which leaves little time to cook a healthy meal. Avoid the drive-thru with these healthy meals you can prepare ahead of time and enjoy later.

 

Amidst the excitement and the activity of the holiday season, don’t forget to take care of yourself. If you experience any pain, contact AOC. Call 251-410-3600 for more information or visit us at www.alortho.com and make an appointment.

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Avoid Holiday - Back Pain

4 Ways to Avoid Holiday Back Pain

Avoid Holiday - Back Pain

The holidays are here, and for many of us that means traveling to see friends and family. Whether you’re flying, driving or catching a train, you are going to be sitting for a prolonged period of time. Keep your travels comfortable and you back pain-free with these four tips:

Pack it light
AOC_NOV-Blog-Suitcase
Over-packing is easy to do, but it comes with a price – strain on muscles and joints. Avoid unnecessary pain during your travels by planning out what to pack and using luggage equipped with wheels. Depending on your trip, smaller bags may be a better option.

Lumbar support
AOC_NOV-Blog-Lumbar
Seats in planes, cars and trains don’t provide ample support for the lower back or neck. Make your seat more comfortable by using a lumbar support pillow. If you don’t have one, you can roll up a blanket, sweater or jacket.

Get your blood flowing
AOC_NOV-Blog-Blood-flow
Light movement and stretching are the best ways to avoid spine stiffness. If you can, get up and move around every 30, or so minutes. Stretching and moving is also beneficial to circulation as blood brings important nutrients and oxygen to the structures of the back.

Check your posture
AOC_NOV-Blog-posture
This can not be said enough, sit up straight! Slouching, slumping and hunching can all place unnecessary stress on your spine. Proper sitting posture: align your back with your seat, rest your head on the headrest and place your feet flat on the floor.

If traveling does a number on your back, make an appointment to visit one of AOC’s spine specialists.

Resource 1

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