The Halloween season can be fun for you and your family, but it can also take a toll on your spine. From hauling pumpkins out of the patch to traversing the neighborhood in Halloween costumes, you can injure your spine if you’re not careful. In today’s blog, we share some tips for keeping your spine injury-free during the Halloween season.
Proper Lifting
If you’re out in the pumpkin patch or carrying up decorations from the basement, make sure you lift with your knees and not your spine. Improper lifting techniques cause thousands of spine injuries every year, so don’t become another statistic. For particularly heavy lifts, make sure you perform tandem lifts with the help of a friend.
Posture Awareness
Along a similar vein, make sure that you’re aware of your posture throughout the autumn season. Avoid hunching over to carve pumpkins and don’t pick a costume that forces your spine out of a natural position. Conduct regular posture checks throughout the season and strive to keep your head positioned directly above your shoulders.
Ladder Safety
If you’re outside hanging up Halloween decorations or cleaning leaves out of the gutter, make sure you stay safe when working from heights. Have someone below you to support the ladder, and never walk on a roof with a steep grade. Falls from a high height are one of the leading causes of severe spinal cord injuries, so be safe this season.
Halloween Bag Basics
If your child has a successful Trick or Treating session, their candy bag may start to get pretty heavy. If they’re carrying it over one shoulder or in the same arm throughout the night, it can lead to an overstress injury in their spine. If you’re going with them, consider bringing a bucket or backpack that they can unload some of their goodies into to take some weight out of their bag as they go door to door.
Limit Time On Shoulders
If you’re going apple picking or your child gets tired walking through the neighborhood, they may ask to ride on your shoulders for a little bit. Not only does this put pressure on your cervical spine, but it also typically requires you to adjust your posture out of an ideal position. Riding on your shoulders for a few minutes probably won’t hurt, but don’t keep your kids up there for an extended period. If pain or discomfort sets in, it’s time for them to walk on their own.
Be Easy To See
A flashlight during Trick or Treating not only makes it easier for your child to navigate walkways and steps as they go door to door, but it also helps cars see them and avoid an accident. Make your child’s costume visible, talk to them about safely crossing the street, and keep them off of the grass where they can slip and injure their back.
For more ways to protect your spine throughout the Halloween season, or for help with your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
