Holiday Gifts That Soothe Back Pain

There’s no time for back pain during the holidays. All the extra activities, events, and shopping can exacerbate an existing spinal condition or cause a new one. Plus, back pain or neck pain puts a damper on fun family traditions such as tree-trimming, cooking-baking and snowman-making.

Think outside the box when selecting a gift for friend or loved one has back or neck pain. They may appreciate a thoughtful, useful gift designed to help them feel better. Gadgets and gift sets don’t work miracles, but they may ease some of the stress and discomfort that comes with a busy holiday season. Department stores, online retailers, and specialty shops sell a wealth of products that support the back, relieve muscle tension, and help improve sleep quality. Here are a few to consider setting under the Christmas tree.

Think outside the box when choosing gifts for friends and loved ones with back or neck pain this holiday season. Photo Source: iStock.com.

Affordable and Back or Neck Soothing Gifts

Epsom salts gift set. A warm Epsom salt bath may reduce muscle soreness, ease stress and soothe skin.¹ Epsom salts' magnesium content helps the body reduce inflammation and assists with muscle and nerve function. Sulfates help the body absorb nutrients and flush out toxins.

In addition to the health benefits, a warm bath is simply a nice way to relax after a hectic day. Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Gift Set contains a 14-ounce bag of bath salts, plus bath bombs, bubble bath and other items. Soothing Comfort, a family owned manufacturer of massage and spa products, also offers gift sets in various scents featuring bath salts, body oil, and other goodies.

Back massage pad. A good massage can do wonders for aches and pains, but not many of us can afford to visit a massage therapist every day or week. Back massage pads knead muscles while you’re watching TV, riding in a car, or resting.

The Five Star kneading massager targets your back and thighs with vibration and heat. The Gideon Vibrating Seat Massager has eight massaging modes and fits in a car seat, office chair, or lounge chair.

Lumbar cushion. Give the gift of more comfortable commutes with a back support cushion. The Tempur-Pedic® Travel LumbarCushion is compact enough to take with you on a road trip or work commute, but sturdy enough to help prevent slouching and ease common low back pain that may be caused by long periods of sitting.

The Original Worm. Foam rollers are great for working out stiffness, but they’re big, bulky, and don’t often pinpoint specific areas. The Original Worm combines the benefits of foam rollers with the portability of tennis balls into one user-friendly product. Roll out your hips, upper back, calves, feet, and other parts at home or on the road.

Gifts that Indulge

Gift a massage. Massage helps ease muscle tension, relieves aches and pains, and promotes relaxation, among other benefits. Gift your loved one a massage from a local therapist; or, if you’re feeling generous, a series of massages. Look for a licensed massage therapist; ideally, someone experienced and specially trained in treating people with spinal pain. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) are good places to start your search.

An ergonomic chair. Ergonomic chairs are designed to support proper posture and reduce stress caused by long periods of sitting. For the self-employed person on your gift list, consider investing in a quality office chair.

A good chair will have multiple adjustments so he or she can dial in the arm rests, head rest, seat height, and depth. Ergonomic chairs may not fix poor posture or eliminate neck and back pain from prolonged sitting, but many are designed to provide more support than a standard office chair. The X-2 K Sport Office Chair is one example of what to look for.

An infrared heat lamp. Heat is a tried-and-true solution to increase circulation and reduce muscle stiffness. An infrared heat lamp offers deep penetration that can be used at home on large body parts such as the chest and back. One study that tested the benefits of a similar portable unit on 21 patients found their reported pain levels decreased after six weeks of use.²

Yoga classes. Is your friend or loved one into fitness? Give them a gift that keeps on giving for weeks on end—surprise them with a yoga class package. Clinical guidelines released by American College of Physicians recommend yoga as one of the first steps to treat chronic low back pain.³

With a little sleuthing, you’ll likely find a yoga class in their immediate area. As with any exercise program, they’ll need to talk to their doctor before beginning yoga. Yoga Alliance and The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) are good resources to find qualified instructors.

Instead of giving your friends and loved ones with back or neck pain another sweater or an impersonal gift card, give them the gift of relaxation, back support, and/or stress relief. Their well-being will thank you for it!

Special note: SpineUniverse does not endorse or offer official recommendation of any brand name products mentioned in this article.