The Humorous Edition — by Dr. Mark Levander,
Westmoreland County’s Winter Survival Chiropractor
January in Westmoreland County is a special time of year.
The holiday cookies are gone.
The Steelers are… well… being the Steelers.
And your Christmas lights have now been hanging outside long enough to qualify as permanent residents.
Right on schedule, the snow arrives — like that uninvited relative who just “happens to be in the neighborhood.”
With it come two winter traditions that strike fear into the hearts (and spines) of Western Pennsylvanians everywhere:
- Taking down Christmas decorations
- Shoveling snow
Both are elite-level competitors in what I like to call The Post-Holiday Pain Olympics.
Event #1: The Ladder Olympics (Holiday Lights Edition)
It starts innocently enough.
You climb the ladder.
Reach for the gutter.
Twist in ways that would make a yoga instructor nervous.
You lean just far enough to avoid moving the ladder because you’re “almost there.”
Suddenly, your back locks up like a rusty screen door.
Your shoulders ache.
Your neck tightens.
And now you’re seriously considering leaving the lights up until St. Patrick’s Day.
You’re not alone.
Event #2: The Heavyweight Snow Toss
Ah yes — Western Pennsylvania snow.
Heavy.
Wet.
Back-breaking.
The kind that weighs more than your Christmas ham.
You start shoveling with good intentions. Ten minutes later, you’re huffing like you just sprinted up Seven Springs.
The twisting, lifting, and tossing motion might look impressive, but your spine definitely didn’t train for it. Add cold, stiff muscles, and suddenly everything feels like you’re moving through concrete.
The Sneaky Winter Injuries I See Every January
Sure, winter comes with obvious risks: falls, heart strain, and the occasional snowblower mishap.
But the injuries I see most often are the slow, sneaky ones:
- A pulled back from twisting to toss snow
- A shoulder strain from taking down decorations
- A stiff neck from reaching too far off a ladder because moving it felt like “too much work”
The Worst Part? You Don’t Feel It Right Away.
Most people finish the job feeling victorious.
They head inside.
Warm up.
Celebrate a job well done.
Then the next morning, they wake up walking like they just completed a three-day pioneer wagon journey.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic adjustments help:
- Loosen stiff, overloaded joints
- Calm inflammation
- Restore healthy movement to your spine
Add in soft-tissue work and targeted exercises, and suddenly January doesn’t feel quite so mean.
So If You…
- Pulled something wrestling with roof lights
- Threw your back out trying to impress your neighbor with your snow-shoveling form
- Or woke up feeling like the Tin Man
Don’t worry. I’ve got your back — literally.
Stay safe. Stay warm.
And please, for the love of your spine… move the ladder!
January doesn’t have to win.
If winter chores, snow shoveling, or holiday cleanup have left you stiff, sore, or moving like you aged a decade overnight, don’t brush it off or try to “walk it out.” Those small aches are often your body’s early warning system and addressing them now can prevent bigger problems later.
If you’re dealing with winter back pain in Westmoreland County, schedule an appointment today. Chiropractic care can help restore movement, reduce pain, and get you back to feeling like yourself again — without waiting for spring to arrive.Don’t let January beat up your spine.
Call our office or book your appointment today and let’s get you moving comfortably again.