Once the holiday season ramps up, things get hectic fast. And while most people enjoy this time of year, for many it's genuinely stressful — not just mentally, but physically. That nagging, "on again, off again" stiffness in your lower back that normally comes and goes often either sticks around longer or gets noticeably worse.
Pay attention at any holiday gathering and you'll likely hear someone say some version of "my back is sore," "I think I have sciatica," or "my back has been killing me." If you don't hear it from someone else, there's a good chance you're the one saying it.
Four Reasons Your Low Back Pain Flares Up This Time of Year
1. The change in temperature. Colder weather can affect the low back directly, especially if you already deal with stiff or arthritic joints, or tight muscles.
2. Less activity. This is one of the most common culprits. As holiday craziness ramps up, it's easy to lose the time you'd normally spend on the physical activity that keeps your back under control.
3. New activities. Think extra shopping, more cooking and standing, more sitting and driving around town, or sitting on the floor to wrap presents — movements and positions your back isn't used to.
4. Stress. Holiday stress often shows up physically. Less sleep and less consistent nutrition during this stretch can add inflammation to a low back that's already unhappy.
Don't Wait Until After the Holidays
The most frustrating part for a lot of people is expecting the stiffness and pain to simply go away once the holidays are over — and for many, it doesn't. They keep waking up with pain, they're slower getting their day started, and they end up avoiding the very things that could actually help, like walking, exercising, or stretching, out of fear of making it worse.
Ignoring the signals your low back is giving you, and hoping it resolves on its own after the season winds down, is usually the worst approach. If "I'll wait until after the holidays" sounds like something you've said to yourself, know that there are real, practical options — you don't have to just wait it out.
When to See a Physical Therapist
If your low back pain is getting worse rather than better as the season goes on, it's worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later. Our physical therapists at Empower Physical Therapy & Wellness can help you understand what's driving the flare-up and get you a plan so it doesn't carry into the new year.
