Attention Holiday Shoppers!

With all the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping we tend to forget about the "little" things such posture, proper lifting techniques, etc.

Here are some tips to keep in mind in order to prevent injury:

1. Proper footwear: If you know you will be out all day shopping make sure you have shoes that are comfortable. Try to avoid heels if possible, however if you MUST wear heels then make sure they are 1-2 inches or less and are made of a material that has some give to it, such as rubber. If you are wearing boots or shoes with no support in them you can buy an arch support at your local pharmacy and place it inside the shoe for added support (if possible, take the insole out of your shoe and then put the arch supports in).

2. Carrying bags: When carrying bags, pocket book, baby, etc. make sure that you even the weight out on each shoulder. Do not carry all of the weight on one side of your body. This will directly affect your posture and may cause serious injury to your back.

3. Lifting: When lifting always remember to "activate your core" first by drawing in your belly button towards your spine before you perform the lift. Remember to bend at the knees and hold the object as close to your body as possible. If you are taking presents/bags out of your shopping cart and/or trunk first activate your core, move the object as close as you can to the edge of the cart/trunk, then lift object as close to your body as possible. Do not pull the bags/presents out of the car by tugging and rotating your spine. This may cause a serious injury to the back and prevent you from completing the rest of your shopping!

4. Wrapping: When wrapping presents have your gifts and wrapping supplies placed directly in front of you. Sit at your dining room table, stand at a high counter, or tall kneel at the side of your bed (that's if the bed isn't positioned too high). Remember to always "activate your core" and keep it activated. Sitting on the floor will place your body in a compromised position which you might regret later.

These helpful tips will help save you some unwanted post-holiday discomfort. I hope you find these helpful and I hope you remember them this holiday season and in the future.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!