Musculoskeletal pain is common during holidays, affecting both the elderly and young adults, according to Master, Doctor Pham Thi Xuan Thu, specializing in Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal at Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7. The primary cause is often improper daily habits.

Improper working posture

A frequent error is bending, stooping, or squatting for prolonged periods while cleaning or cooking. Lifting heavy objects or maintaining incorrect posture can also cause musculoskeletal pain, even leading to injury. Sitting for too long while eating or socializing can strain muscles in the neck, shoulders, and lower back, resulting in aches and fatigue.

Unreasonable activity levels

Activities like arranging belongings, shopping, traveling, and visiting relatives often lead to continuous activity and insufficient rest. This prevents joints from recovering, causing pain. Conversely, some people view holidays as a time for relaxation, using it to catch up on sleep or spending extensive periods sitting watching television or playing games. This lack of muscle warm-up and movement reduces flexibility, making individuals prone to muscle strain, back pain, and cramps.

Unrestrained eating and drinking

Alcohol, sweets, processed foods (such as pork hock and lap cheong), and fried, greasy items are indispensable during the holiday season. Uncontrolled and unrestrained eating can increase blood uric acid and blood fats, reduce blood circulation, and decrease calcium absorption, leading to joint pain, especially in those with a history of arthritis or gout.

Wearing excessively high or pointed heels

For parties or spring outings, women often choose high heels to enhance their figure and walk gracefully. However, wearing high heels forces the body to adjust its gait and redistribute force to maintain balance, causing aches and fatigue in the back, hips, and knees.

Incorrect medication use

Due to busy schedules, many individuals tend to arbitrarily skip doses, change medication times, or take medicine with alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, or soft drinks. This can trigger flare-ups of pain, cause drug interactions, and lead to unwanted side effects.

Doctor Thu assesses the wrist joint function for a patient. Illustration: Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7.

To limit musculoskeletal pain during holidays, Doctor Thu advises maintaining proper posture, especially when lifting heavy objects. Avoid overexertion, but continue light physical activity to maintain flexibility and reduce joint stiffness. When cleaning, individuals can use support tools like long-handled mops to avoid bending over, jar and bottle openers to reduce strain on hands, or wheeled carts to reduce heavy lifting.

Consume processed foods or alcoholic beverages in moderation, avoiding excessive consumption. Ensure a balanced diet, including green vegetables, fruits, omega-3 rich foods (salmon, mackerel), and sources of calcium and vitamin D (milk, dairy products, nuts). Those undergoing treatment for musculoskeletal conditions should follow their doctor's instructions and seek medical attention immediately for any unusual symptoms.

Phi Hong