The warmer weather is well and truly here, and Christmas is fast approaching. Now that the Melbourne Cup is over, we know Christmas is just around the corner. With a little planning, you can stay in good health while still enjoying summer and all its festivities. Here are some tips on how best to handle the Christmas & New Year:
Travelling on the Holidays
Take frequent breaks when driving long distances. It is recommended that you spend at least 15 minutes away from the wheel for every 2 hours of driving. Have niggling back and neck pain checked out before you leave to go on holidays. Long drives will always highlight any spinal problem.
Reaching and Bending for Christmas Presents
Use the proper lifting technique every time you pick up a gift. Bend at your knees not at your back. Or kneel down on one knee, as close as possible to the item you are lifting, with the other foot flat on the floor and pick the item up. Avoid bending or twisting the spine at any time while you are carrying heavy gifts. When reaching for something above shoulder level, for example when placing the Angel on the top of the Christmas tree, stand on a stool. Straining to reach such objects may not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but it can also bring on shoulder problems.
Exercise
Remember to keep up with your exercise routine. Just because you were out and about the night before is no excuse to sleep in and forego your workout. If you’re going away on holidays think about what exercise gear you can take. Your trainers, workout clothes and a skipping rope are a good start.
USE IT OR LOSE IT by December 31st!
Did you know that you lose private health fund benefits each year? Most of our patients are unaware of this, so we thought we should let you know.
NOW is the time to use your entitlement before it’s lost forever for treatment in our practice! Choose to use your health fund entitlement today.
Most health funds allow extras claims only for the duration of 12 months, usually from January till December.
Unused claims generally DO NOT carry over to the next year or, so this means…
IF YOU DO NOT USE IT… YOU LOSE IT!
With HiCaps® instant rebates on the spot, you can use your health fund benefit to achieve a pain free life, get a check-up, recover from injury, get back into your rehab classes, and simply be as healthy as you can be!
The CHOICE is yours but as I have mentioned earlier – you must USE IT or you will LOSE IT by 31st December!
Don’t miss out on the rebate you pay for! Call our practice today to schedule an appointment and take advantage of the funds still available to you before they run out. Call now!
Towards Wellness: Staying Active this Christmas 
Most Christmas dinners have a significant break before you are summoned to the table again, so take proper advantage of this time by engaging with children if they are present. Children are extremely active. Therefore, propose a game that gets you moving such as the Wii that will have you burning calories in no time. If no children are present, try to stay active any way you can, if it’s from helping clean up after dinner or playing a vigorous board game with the family.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H of the Month: Flutter Kicks
Begin lying flat on your back on a mat, palms face-down underneath your glutes. Core engaged, raise both your legs in a straight line until they’re hovering above the floor.
Keeping your abs braced and legs straight, rapidly kick your legs – right and left alternately – up and down, stopping just above the floor each time. Make sure that your lower back doesn’t lift off the floor at any point. Do 3 sets of 20 reps
