Thanksgiving cooking and your low back
Thanksgiving asks a lot of the cook: hours on your feet, leaning over counters, lifting a heavy turkey, and reaching into low ovens. It is one of the busiest back days of the year — and the low back usually files its complaint the next morning.
Why the counter is the culprit
Leaning forward over a counter rounds the low back and loads the discs and muscles unevenly. Held for an hour or two while chopping and stirring, that position is what leaves people stiff on Friday.
The hip-hinge fix
When you lean over the counter, bend at your hips, not your low back. Push your hips back, keep your chest up, and let your legs do the work. Your back will thank you Friday.
Three more ways to protect your back
Take a sitting break every 30 minutes, even for two minutes. Ask for help with the heavy dishes — the turkey, the roasting pan, the big pots. And wear supportive shoes in the kitchen, not socks on a hard floor.
If your back is already talking to you after the holiday, we are here. Come in for a check-up and we will talk through what is going on.
Educational only — not medical advice. This post shares general information, not a diagnosis or a promise of results. Every person and situation is different.
Questions? Call us at (352) 340-3220 or request an appointment online.