Holiday Gift Wrapping and Your Back

Over the years, we have seen patients at Baltimore Back and Pain Center who came to our office in acute pain due to sitting on the floor and wrapping lots of presents over the holidays. Nothing takes the joy out of the holidays faster than being in pain. So, this year we decided that we would put together some gift wrapping tips for you for this holiday season.

Having a work surface at a height where you can comfortably sit, with good posture, is a big plus. Keep all of your materials within arm's reach and avoid hunching over your work-space while you wrap. Since there is no "ideal" position for gift wrapping, the most important thing to remember is to vary your position. For example, stand at a table or desk for one present, sit on a bed for another, sit in a comfortable chair for the next and head back to the table, or a countertop and start again. It might take a little extra time, but it will be worth it.

Wrapping gifts usually requires a good deal of space and the floor is usually one of the first choices. But the one thing not to do is to wrap your presents while sitting on the floor. Wrapping gifts while sitting on a hard floor can wreak havoc on your posture, and should be avoided. Kneeling or sitting on the same plane causes you to bend a lot. And you typically have to stretch and hold the bent position for extended periods of time. This puts a great deal of stress on the neck and low back. Avoid the floor at all costs!

Another great tip is to always stretch before and after you wrap gifts to relieve the strain on your back, neck and shoulders. When wrapping presents, it's a good idea to stretch the opposites. In other words, if you are leaning forward when wrapping your presents, stretch backward when you are done.

Take your time, don't overdo it, put on some festive music and relax. Should you experience pain, or an injury that lasts for more than a few days, please call us at 410-662-4476 to schedule an appointment for a free evaluation. We offer convenient hours in our Hampden office.

The faster you heal, the easier it will be to enjoy the holiday season! Happy Holidays from Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr., DC and the staff at Baltimore Back and Pain Center!

Pain Relief with Chiropractic Care

When you're in pain, nothing else seems to matter except finding a way to make the pain stop, even if just a little bit. The big problem is that Big Pharma (pharmaceutical companies) has used doctors and the media to push pain-relief meds as the only solution to pain! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite that over 259 million prescriptions for pain are written yearly.

Baltimore chiropractor Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr. says, "While relieving pain is important, drugs rarely get to the root of the problem." And if you don't get to the cause of the problem, it means that the pain will return, and you'll need to keep taking medication to try to reduce the pain. And the cycle repeats over and over and over.

If you're in constant pain, get a thorough evaluation to determine the source, and then ask about non-drug and/or non-surgical alternatives like chiropractic care. Don't just turn to the medicine cabinet or a doctor's prescription suggestion and think that you have solved the problem.

Schedule an appointment in our Baltimore Chiropractic Office as soon as possible. Dr. Dorn will properly diagnose the source of your pain, rule out more serious medical conditions, prescribe an effective non-surgical treatment plan that will work to alleviate your pain. We offer convenient appointment times and are located off of I-83 in Hampden, MD - call the office today at 410-662-4476 for your free evaluation.

Surviving the Upcoming Holiday Shopping Season

The Halloween decorations barely left the store shelves before Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations popped up, and in many stores all three holidays were being represented. The end of the year suddenly becomes stressful as we try to juggle shopping, family, work and fun.

Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr., DC and his staff at Baltimore Back and Pain Center wants you to relax and enjoy the holidays, so consider some of the following tips to help keep your shopping adventures healthy.

• Stretch before and after a long day of shopping. When you are stressed your muscles are actually less flexible than usual.
• Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to help absorb the impact of walking.
• Stay hydrated! And we're not talking about holiday lattes (caffeine and alcohol are dehydrators). Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• If you are shopping all day, take frequent breaks. Try to eat light foods and avoid heavy burgers and fries for your meals.
• Take heavy packages to your car. Don't carry more than is necessary at one time.

If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of your holiday shopping, schedule an appointment in our Baltimore Chiropractic Office as soon as possible. Dr. Dorn can help alleviate your pain naturally, so you can enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.