A middle-aged woman posing against the backdrop of her family, who sits at the Thanksgiving tableIf you have chronic back pain, you have more to worry about this Thanksgiving than undercooked turkey or soggy stuffing. You must also focus on taking good care of yourself so your pain doesn’t flare up and ruin your holiday. To help you make the most of your time with friends and family, follow these five tips for avoiding back pain flare-ups this Thanksgiving.

Ask for Help Preparing the Feast

Are hosting Thanksgiving this year? Just because the festivities are happening at your house doesn’t mean you are responsible for cooking the entire feast. To make meal prep easier, try these suggestions:

  • Assign each guest a side dish or dessert to contribute.
  • Invite your guests over early to mingle and assist in the kitchen.
  • Ask for help hefting the turkey in and out of the oven.
  • Request that someone else get out the heavy pots, pans, and casserole dishes.
  • Assign helpers to peel potatoes and chop vegetables.
  • With a little help from everyone on Thanksgiving, preparing the food is quick and easy.

Don’t Stuff Yourself

With the food made and everyone sitting down to a fantastic feast, remind yourself how important it is not to overeat. If you do, this could put undue stress on your spine and cause a chronic back pain flare-up. It’s simply not worth it!

To help you resist the temptation to pile your plate high, remember how delicious Thanksgiving leftovers are. There’s no need to stuff yourself when you have turkey sandwiches and turkey noodle soup to look forward to in the coming days.

Indulge in Spine-Healthy Foods

Having chronic back pain may have taught you that it’s not just about how much food you eat, but also what kind of food you eat. Flare-ups are attributed to inflammation, so it’s important to focus on foods that promote a healthy spine.

Fortunately, you have plenty of options to include in your Thanksgiving feast:

  • Turkey (roasted, not fried)
  • Walnuts and almonds
  • Cranberries
  • Red beets
  • Stewed tomatoes
  • Green leafy vegetables

To keep chronic back pain at bay on Thanksgiving, make a note to avoid these foods:

  • High-sugar desserts, including pumpkin pie and yams with marshmallows
  • Dairy products, such as milk and butter
  • Refined carbohydrates, such as stuffing, white bread, and pastries
  • Items that contain saturated fat, trans fat, or MSG, including fried foods and processed meats

Remain Cautiously Active

A favorite Thanksgiving tradition in your home might be plopping down on the sofa and watching a rousing football game or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. These are fun rituals, but in addition to sedentary activities like these, strive to fit in gentle physical exercise as well.

For instance, the whole family might go for a walk after dinner. This activity releases feel-good endorphins, burns off calories, and helps your spine feel its best.

Make Your Holiday Travels Less Painful

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year. If you’ll be flying to visit extended family for the holiday, keep these tips for flying with chronic back pain in mind:

  • Obtain a medical letter from your doctor explaining your diagnosis. This may help you obtain extra pillows, more legroom, and permission to walk about the cabin.
  • Call the airline ahead of time to make special arrangements. You might want access to a wheelchair, extra assistance getting through security, early boarding, and help with carry-on luggage.
  • Take over-the-counter medication about one hour before your flight.
  • Use a lumbar pillow and neck pillow to support your back during the flight.
  • Focus on sitting up straight and keeping your feet flat on the floor to prevent twisting your spine.
  • Walk up and down the aisles when the seatbelt sign turns off.
  • Make the flight go by faster by reading a good book or completing crossword puzzles.

Diagnose & Treat Chronic Back Pain at Spine Correction Center

Back pain shouldn’t be your central focus this Thanksgiving. For the pain relief you seek, visit Spine Correction Center in Fort Collins for diagnosis and treatment. We offer several effective therapies to improve your condition, including spinal decompression, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and spinal rehabilitation.

To learn more about our services, or to schedule a free back pain consultation, please contact us today at (970) 658-5115.