ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: S everal D ays of B ack P ain Here at Vital Care Physical Therapy, the majority of ailments our team treats are related to back pain or sciatica. In fact, studies show that at one point or another, approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population is affected by issues related to their sciatic nerve; we’ve certainly found that to be true at our clinic. In most cases involving sciatica, the pain stems from arthritis, pelvic issues, or herniated disks, but as the holiday season rolls around, the causes of this condition become increasingly more widespread. Holiday stress, increased prolonged standing required for baking, cooking, wrapping presents, and waiting in lines at crowded stores, along with the extra lifting, carrying, and reaching required to decorate the house are all contributing factors to back pain flareups during the holiday season. During the month of December, Americans find themselves rushing to pack gifts in the car so they can join the thousands of other drivers weaving in and out of traffic — all with the hopes of making it to Christmas Eve dinner on time. Patients with pre-existing back pain often notice that the more time they spend in the car, the more they suffer from backaches. To make matters worse, the odds of getting into an accident exponentially increase as more drivers share the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for example, rear-end collisions are some of the most commonly reported accidents in the timespan from October through January. While all accidents are tragic and often physically painful, this type in particular triggers back pain more than any other. In this way, people who already suffer from chronic back pain experience worsening conditions as a result of their holiday travels, and their risk for more severe injuries is heightened due to the sheer number of drivers on the road. If you know you are going to be hitting the road this holiday season, there are some ways to help prevent your sciatica from flaring up. First, give your lumbar the proper support by placing a rolled-up towel near the small of your back. Second, be sure to take breaks from driving, and allow yourself to stretch when you can. Last, move your seat as close to the steering wheel as you can without making yourself uncomfortable — being close to the wheel will help prevent slouching. If you’ve tried all these tips and are still in pain, don’t hesitate to give our office a call at (623) 544-0300.
B uttery R oasted C hestnuts
INGREDIENTS
• 2 pounds fresh chestnuts, unpeeled • 2–3 sprigs rosemary • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
• Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. 3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute. 5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, leaving an opening at the top.
6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm.
Inspired by Bon Appétit
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