The holidays bring social gatherings, cold weather and, for some, joint pain. Living with joint pain can be especially challenging during the holidays, as increased stress and activity levels can cause flare-ups. The body’s inflammatory response system kicks in, causing pain and stiffness in the joints that can last indefinitely.
5 Ways to Minimize Holiday Aches and Pains
While having stress-free celebrations may seem impossible, taking certain steps can help you manage the holidays and joint pain.
1. Set Limits
Your activity level will likely increase around the holidays. With lots of shopping to do and parties to attend, it’s easy to overextend and exhaust yourself. Limiting your activities and scheduling time to rest and recover are crucial.
2. Plan Travel Wisely
Long-distance travel by car, plane, train or other means can be tough on your joints. Extended periods of sitting can lead to stiffness and pain. If possible, incorporate time to stand up, stretch and move around periodically. You can also try seated exercises like marches and shoulder rolls to help with stiffness.
3. Exercise Regularly
While holiday preparations and celebrations may fill up your schedule, finding time to exercise is essential to managing joint pain. Regular exercise can increase joint mobility and reduce pain in people with knee or hip osteoarthritis.
4. Avoid Inflammatory Foods
It can be challenging to maintain a balanced diet with so much holiday food. Certain foods or beverages may increase inflammation and exacerbate joint pain. For example, cheese, wine, beer and organ meat have high uric acid levels that can cause gout. Avoiding these foods can help prevent joint pain flare-ups.
5. Practice Relaxation
People juggle many responsibilities during the holidays, from buying gifts to attending parties to cooking for family and friends. Being stressed out and tired from tackling so many tasks can trigger joint pain.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try different relaxation techniques. Practicing meditation, yoga and mindfulness can help you deal with holiday stressors and reduce your joint pain.
Contact Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
Contact Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics for treatment if you live in the Nashville, Tennessee, area and experience persistent shoulder, hip or knee pain during the holidays. Our board-certified specialists are highly skilled and experienced in treating joint pain. We’ll determine the best plan to meet your specific needs.
Author: AMWN Dev
Related Articles
In 2024, 3.7 million individuals received treatment from emergency departments for injuries related to sports and recreational activities, according to the National Safety Council. Every one of [...]
Knee injuries can be tricky; what starts as a mild ache can quickly spiral into something more serious. Knowing when to consult an ACL surgeon [...]
When it comes to foot structure, people generally fall into one of two categories: flat feet or high arches. These two extremes can have a [...]
Shoulder surgery can be a crucial step in restoring function, reducing pain, and regaining mobility for those suffering from severe injury or chronic shoulder conditions. [...]
As the crisp autumn air rolls in and the leaves begin to change, many of us are excited to get outside and enjoy seasonal activities. [...]
More than half of Americans report receiving care from a physical therapist at some point in their lives, making physical therapy a crucial part of [...]
Every year, there are between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL tears in the United States, making it the most commonly injured knee ligament. This type of [...]
Whether through injury or the physical stress of engaging in sports, athletes endure a significant amount of pain. They end up having to learn various [...]
In addition to getting adequate sleep and rest, one of the key factors in promoting orthopedic health is ensuring that your spine stays in a [...]
Common Football Injuries: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Football is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring strength, agility, endurance, and split-second decision-making. While thrilling [...]
