The above is the headline from a November 17, 2007, EMediaWire release from the Connecticut Chiropractic Council and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). The release gives some simple holiday advice by saying, “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.”
The article continues to note that having a little more patience, along with slowing down, and having more thoughtful holiday planning, will go a long way to reducing the stress of the holidays. The release also cautions about overindulgence at the dinner table over the holidays and the problems that overeating can cause. Dr. Luigi DiRubba, a local chiropractor and President of the Connecticut Chiropractic Council, advises, “A bulging stomach can put pressure on your body’s support systems, including your spine and spinal nerves.”
The article notes that additional weight can force the hip bones and torso to shift thus creating abnormal changes in spinal balance. This can lead to spinal misalignments, known as “subluxations” which affect the nervous system and create malfunctions elsewhere in the body. Dr. DiRubba warns, “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.”
The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) and the Connecticut Chiropractic Council have prepared a list of health tips to help protect your back and general health over the holidays. These include:
