Up to 69% of North Americans say that low back pain is a regular nuisance in their day to day lives. With winter on its way, coupled with seasonal snow-shoveling and slippery ice, here are a few things you should know before going into hibernation mode.

Stay Active

It’s hard to stay motivated with the cold weather and holiday treats. Give the gift of exercise to your back and stay active. This prevents the joints from seizing up and keeps the muscles supporting your spine from getting lazy. Being in good physical form and stretching regularly can decrease your chance of injury.

Keep Warm

When you feel cold your blood vessels constrict in response in an attempt to conserve heat. As result muscles and ligaments tighten up, which makes your back prone to injury and pain. Wear warm layers when out in the cold and remove them as needed.

Wear Good Shoes

Tis the season of ice and snow! Most injuries in the winter are due to slips and falls. Winter boots with good traction or slip-on shoe spikes decrease your chances of an impromptu skate across the sidewalk.

Seek Out Early Treatment

If you have had previous back injuries or have experienced an injury recently, seek out care as soon as possible. Chiropractic care has been proven to be very effective to help with lower back pain relief. The sooner chiropractic care is sought out after the injury occurs, the more likely you are to recover quickly.