Traveling in a high-flying sleigh, scaling rooftops, shooting down chimneys, and lugging around an enormous toy bag sounds exhausting. Lucky for us, Santa Claus is a holly-jolly professional. However, that does not mean he has not experienced his share of holiday aches. That’s right. Even Santa has back pain!
As one of ORA’s oldest – and most elusive – patients, he has received some great advice over the years from our spine surgeons on managing the physical demands of his unique career. Here are their top five tips for old St. Nick to keep his back healthy this holiday season.
1. Engage in routine physical activity. Our spine surgeons encourage Santa Claus to exercise regularly to maintain strength in the muscles that support his spine. Santa would benefit from short walks around the North Pole and stretching before unloading his sleigh.
2. Lift with your legs, not your back. It takes a lot of work to nestle present after present underneath the Christmas tree. That is why Dr. Michael Berry reminds Santa to lift with his legs and squat down with his back straight when he picks up a gift. Improper lifting techniques could lead to a herniated disc and a trip to ORA’s Urgent OrthoCARE.
3. Maintain a healthy weight. Everyone knows that Kris Kringle cannot get enough milk and cookies. With this in mind, Dr. Myles Luszczyk tells him every Christmas Eve to consider a healthier alternative. Extra weight can negatively affect our joints and spine. Along with exercising regularly, he suggests that Santa follows a balanced diet – with treats and hot cocoa in moderation.
4. Pay attention to your posture. Even though Mr. Claus is only on call one night a year, we know he spends the off-season making his list (and checking it twice) hunched over his workshop desk. Dr. R. Scott Collins regularly warns Santa against this overuse injury. The added pressure on his cervical spine could lead to poor posture or a pinched nerve.
5. Schedule a visit with a spine specialist. After years of making spirits bright for everyone, Santa sometimes needs additional assistance combatting his troublesome back problems. Our spine surgeon’s collective wish for Father Christmas is for him to seek orthopedic attention when he is experiencing severe or chronic back pain.
ORA Orthopedics provides a full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment services at our Spine Center of Excellence. Here, an orthopedic provider addresses his concerns with the specialized expertise necessary to accurately diagnose and individually treat his condition, helping Santa to return to his favorite holiday festivities as quickly and safely as possible.
If you are struggling with an orthopedic problem like Santa Claus, contact ORA today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in the Quad Cities or learn more about our doctors and services. Happy Holidays!
