
Taking Care of Your Body During the Holidays: A Smart Guide from TheraMove & Diagnostics
The holidays are a time for joy, family gatherings, travel, and celebration — but they can also be surprisingly tough on your body. Between long drives, extra standing in the kitchen, colder weather, disrupted routines, and added stress, many people experience flare-ups of back pain, neck stiffness, joint aches, or old injuries during the holiday season.
At TheraMove & Diagnostics in Towson, MD, we see a noticeable increase in pain complaints around the holidays. The good news? With a few mindful habits, you can protect your body, stay active, and enjoy the season without discomfort slowing you down.
Why the Holidays Can Trigger Pain
Holiday schedules often look very different from your normal routine. Common contributors to pain include:
Prolonged sitting during travel or family gatherings
Standing for hours while cooking or hosting
Carrying heavy bags, gifts, or luggage
Sleeping in unfamiliar beds
Less time for exercise and stretching
Increased stress, which tightens muscles and worsens pain
These factors can aggravate existing conditions like back pain, knee pain, shoulder issues, nerve irritation, or post-surgical stiffness — even if you’ve been feeling fine most of the year.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Body This Holiday Season
1. Keep Moving (Even in Small Doses)
You don’t need full workouts to stay healthy. Short walks, light stretching, or mobility exercises throughout the day help keep joints lubricated and muscles relaxed.
2. Watch Your Posture
Long dinners, phone scrolling, and travel can lead to slouching. Sit tall, keep your feet grounded, and avoid prolonged “text neck” when using your phone.
3. Lift Smart
When lifting gifts, luggage, or decorations, bend at your hips and knees — not your back. Keep objects close to your body and avoid twisting while carrying weight.
4. Take Breaks During Travel
If you’re driving or flying, stand up, stretch, and walk whenever possible. Even a few minutes of movement can reduce stiffness and nerve compression.
5. Listen to Early Warning Signs
Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness shouldn’t be ignored just because it’s the holidays. Addressing symptoms early often prevents bigger issues in the new year.
Don’t Ignore Pain — Even During the Holidays
Many people delay care until after the holidays, hoping discomfort will resolve on its own. Unfortunately, untreated pain often worsens over time.
At TheraMove & Diagnostics, we offer a unique combination of advanced diagnostics and personalized physical therapy, all under one roof. Services like musculoskeletal ultrasound, EMG/Nerve Conduction Testing, and targeted rehabilitation allow us to identify the true cause of pain and treat it efficiently — even during busy seasons.
A Healthier Start to the New Year Begins Now
Taking care of your body during the holidays isn’t about doing everything perfectly — it’s about being proactive. Small adjustments now can help you avoid lingering pain, injury flare-ups, or delayed recovery in the new year.
Whether you’re managing chronic pain, recovering from surgery, or simply want to stay active and comfortable this season, TheraMove & Diagnostics in Towson, MD is here to support you.
📍 TheraMove & Diagnostics
110 West Rd, Suite 201, Building A
Towson, MD 21204
📞 Call or book online to schedule an evaluation before or after the holidays.
Enjoy the season — and take care of the body that carries you through it.
