Avoid strains and sprains when decorating your home this Christmas. Follow our advice when giving your home a festive make-over and stay injury free to enjoy the festive fun.
Decorations
This often begins with unearthing ‘the box’ (or boxes) from cellar, cupboard or loft. And, of course there’ll be plenty of clutter in the way. So, THINK POSTURE before lifting, twisting, dragging and, yes, grunting the decorations into the open.
Make sure to do things the Chiropractic Way and follow the British Chiropractic Association’s (BCA) advice, “If you’re lifting heavy boxes of decorations, remember to bend both knees and stick your bottom out to use more muscles and make lifting easier. This also applies for taking the decorations down!”
And of course make sure that you are facing square on to the box before lifting so as not to twist.
Fetching and setting the tree
For that perfect perpendicular pine without strain to your spine, you could choose to purchase your tree from a provider who will trim your tree to fit your stand. Strawberry Fields Christmas Tree Farm in Lymington are offering to do just that if you take your stand along when collecting your tree. And don’t forget your manual handling techniques when moving from field to car and car to home.
Decorating the tree
We have more advice from the BCA:
“When decorating the Christmas tree, avoid straining your back by reaching for that awkwardly placed bauble in the corner or angel on top of the tree; use a stool or ladder to reach those harder to get to places, or enlist one of your little helpers to help.”
This applies to hanging decorations from walls and ceilings, too. We don’t recommend lifting your little elves too high, especially if “Buddy” sized, but a step, stool, or ladder with someone to anchor the bottom, would be a good idea.
And we have some nifty tree decorating advice:
Tip the tree just enough to help with restrictions in your shoulders, or to avoid launching your elf (AKA child helper) into the tree and decorations whilst reaching to place the star on top.
Blowing balloons
We don’t want anything going ‘POP’, unless it’s for an early glass of bubbles! Best advice is to use a balloon pump rather than bursting your lungs.
The Holly and the Ivy
If gathering greenery for you homemade wreath and swags, it’s probably best to ask a tall person to help you. Or, to avoid over stretching, use loppers or a step ladder. And remember to dress appropriately (not a great idea in your high heels or slippers!)
In all seriousness, giving a little thought to your posture and safety can help to ensure you have an enjoyable Christmas free from discomfort or pain.
But if things go wrong, before or after the Christmas break, we are here to help.
Book Online or call 01590 679560 for appointments with Chiropractors Ian, Abbi or Fiona, Sports Therapist Gareth or Massage Therapist Hannah.
For Acupuncture appointments, call Amanda directly on 07876 343 821.
For Counselling and Psychotherapy appointments, email Anna directly at [email protected].
And for Podiatry appointments call Paul directly on 07857 137732.