How to Avoid Back Pain While Wrapping Presents

By Brandi Swieter

Wrapping presents is a common tradition around Christmas time. Hours upon hours get spent getting all the gifts wrapped just right so they can be given to the intended recipient come the next holiday party or Christmas Eve or Day. Many people have been wrapping wrong for years, leaving their backs in disarray after just a few hours of getting the job done. Back pain sets in easy while doing this task, so it’s best to do it right so no aches creep in during the duration.

Wrap Presents at Waist Level

Most people seem to take to the floor when wrapping. They feel it will give them plenty of space to roll out the wrapping paper, have other gifts waiting, and get the job done easily. This practice is actually not advised, as it has the body hunched over and stretching for scissors and tape while working. Back pain sets in quickly with this method. It is far better to wrap at waist level, which means sitting at the kitchen table and perhaps having less space to work with. Keep the gifts in a chair or on the floor and use the table top to wrap one item at a time.

Break Up the Task

Rather than getting all the wrapping it done in one sitting, it’s best to break up the task. Wrap a few gifts and then get up and do another chore to give the back, neck, and wrists a break. Come back afterward and finish a few more before moving on again to another chore. This helps prevent pain from setting in after sitting in one spot doing the same repetitive motions for too long.

Have Tape Pre-Cut and at the Ready

Pain can develop simply from grabbing the tape and using effort to rip off a piece that’s needed. It may start in the neck and shoulders and radiate down to the back. To avoid this, it is best to have tape pre-cut and at the ready instead of trying to grab a piece quickly when trying to hold down the wrapping paper and keep the gift covered. You can hang some tape strands on the table’s edge to have them ready to go and at your fingertips when needed.

Wrapping gifts takes a great deal of effort, as it often requires hours of time to get it all completed. Pain can set in quickly to the back, neck, shoulders, and even wrists if people wrap their presents wrong. Avoid back and other pain this holiday season by wrapping correctly, staying at the table to do the chore and taking frequent breaks in between.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.

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