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Chiropractors Caution Holiday Stress Increases Health Risks

With the holiday season upon us and Thanksgiving and other seasonal observances underway, it is important to your good health to take a few simple steps to reduce the stress and strain of this busy time. . Take a little time to slow down, recognize the need to have a little more patience, plan ahead with the thought of reducing the stress of last minute efforts. Make a special point during this holiday season to express your thoughts and feelings to your friends and loved ones.

Take a little extra care of yourself and your family at the dinner table.

"A bulging stomach can put pressure on your body's support systems, including your spine and spinal nerves," advises Dr. Luigi DiRubba, a local chiropractor and President of the Connecticut Chiropractic Council, who deals with the health needs of people of all ages in the community.

"Every extra pound in the abdominal region could put 10 pounds more stress on the lower back. Heavy eating during the holidays may lead to weight gain, and carrying extra pounds can put added strain on the supporting structures of the spine and nervous system."

Additional weight can force the pelvis and torso to shift and cause changes in spinal balance, leading to spinal misalignments (known as subluxations) and malfunction in the entire body. Dr. DiRubba suggests eating in moderation and taking a 15-20 minute walk after a big meal to ease discomfort and burn up to 100 calories in 30 minutes.

What you eat is as important as how much you eat, more fresh fruits and vegetables, low sodium and low sugar recipes and limiting your intake of red meat protein, starches such as pasta, bread, corn and potato chips, and fats and oils, are all essential to maintaining your good health.

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) and the Connecticut Chiropractic Council has prepared a list of health tips to help protect your back and general health over the holidays:

- Lift packages correctly, firewood, your frozen holiday turkey and other heavy items with your legs, not your back. When lifting, hold objects close to your body; rather than flexing forward, maintain a slight arch in your lower back and bend at the knees before standing up with the object. That way, the lifting is done primarily with the strong muscles of the legs supporting the load. Don't wait until you are hurting to see your doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractic adjustments can keep you going at your peak and help you get extra enjoyment during the holiday season.

- When cooking or standing for an extended period, elevate one foot with a foot rest or stacked books, about six inches from the floor. Alternately elevating each foot relieves tired back and leg musclessimilar to the function the footrest serves for customers standing at a counterand helps prevent bad posture habits that can lead to abnormal spinal curvatures.

- Travel stress can be minimized if you start your journey having gotten plenty of rest ahead of time, allow plenty of extra time to your destination, pack light, use well-balanced wheeled luggage when you can and be careful to avoid heavy loads on your shoulders from bags with shoulder straps.

- Place a pillow or folded towel behind the small of the back when traveling by car or plane, to help maintain the arch in your lower back and support the rest of the body properly. This relieves the discs and joint structures of the spine from unnecessary pressure.

- In addition to fastening your seat belt for car trips, adjust the headrest to align with your head, at least up to ear level. This is important to support and protect the head and neck in the unfortunate event of a sudden stop.

- Get enough rest. Many health problems that occur with the holidays are simply due to fatigue. By simply getting adequate rest, you can help prevent structural strain, emotional and cognitive imbalance, and general health problems.

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