A holiday shopping trip to the mall can take a surprising physical toll on your body. Annual rituals such as shopping 'til you drop and lifting presents and heavy boxes can contribute to neck, shoulder, and back injuries.

Doug Fickes, DPT, Clinic Director at the Harrisburg Office of First Choice Rehab recommends taking precautions like maintaining your balance by distributing the weight of shopping bags equally on both sides of your body. He also suggests lifting boxes by using the legs instead of the back in order to keep aches or even injuries from putting a damper on the holiday spirit.

Dr. Fickes suggests taking the proper precautions to avoid ruining a festive season. "Keeping proper body mechanics in mind and help prevent muscle and joint problems, he says.

Lifting

• Test an objects weight before you lift by pushing it with your foot.
• When you lift, keep feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees.
• When you lift, keep feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees. Lift with your legs, not with your back. Stand close to the object, bend your legs, keep your back straight, and lift.
• If a back injury does occur, seek professional consultation from a physical therapist. What starts as a minor problem can become a recurrent problem without early intervention.

Shopping Without Dropping

• Distribute the weight of shopping bags equally on both sides of your body.
• Consider using a fanny-pack or small backpack.
• Wear comfortable shoes; carrying packages while wearing high heels on hard surfaces can contribute to foot and ankle injuries.
• Dont lug overstuffed shopping bags for extended periods.

By Douglas Fickes, DPT