From the ceremony to the reception, everybody wants the perfect wedding day. It can safely be assumed that the last thing you want to have to face is spine-related pain. Besides, you probably have many things on your to-do list that are already increasing your stress, which is certainly understandable, so a pain-free day will definitely be appreciated. Fortunately, if you regularly experience back, neck, or nerve-related discomfort, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of flare-ups before and after you walk down the aisle.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Making an effort to get a productive night of sleep before your big day can give your spine and its tissues a chance to naturally heal during the restorative stages of sleep, which could mean fewer instances of inflammation, a common contributing factor to back spasms and nerve irritation.
Bring Comfortable, Supportive Shoes
It’s fine to wear dazzling heels or other shoes designed more for aesthetics than comfort during the actual ceremony and pictures, but stash some comfortable, supportive shoes away for the rest of the day and evening. Too much time spent in unsupportive shoes could throw off your spine’s alignment and contribute to lower back pain.
Need a suggestion? Consider a comfortable pair of flats. If you want some extra support, use gel inserts. You can also try high heel insoles to ease lower back pressure when you do wear the more fashionable shoes. Some inserts designed for high heels also offer arch support, which can help with alignment issues when you happen to be wearing less-supportive shoes.
Use Pain Meds or NSAIDs When Necessary
With some spine-related conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis, nerve irritation can sneak up at unexpected times. For instances when you need to keep your discomfort in check or minimize the risk of flare-ups, bring doctor-approved pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs with you. Just be cautious with alcohol consumption.
Also, if you’ll be leaving for an extended honeymoon, talk to your Los Angeles spine surgeon about arranging for refills before you leave so you can avoid potential issues with getting prescriptions filled at different pharmacies. If you’ll be going on a plane, bring copies of those scripts with you to avoid travel-related issues with your meds.
Find Time to Sit and Rest
While it’s true that sitting for too long isn’t good for your spine, spending too much on your feet isn’t great for your back either. In between greeting guests, walking down the aisle, and dancing with your new spouse and various family members, find some time to sit and give your spine and its supporting parts a chance to rest. Even 10-15 minute breaks where you sit down and talk with guests can be helpful.
Stay Hydrated
Because of the flurry of activity that typically takes place on a wedding day, it’s surprisingly easy to overlook the fact that you’re dehydrated. Even if you’re not thirsty, make an effort to take periodic sips of water. Your spine needs the H2O to keep discs spongy. Proper hydration can also boost the flow of essential nutrients to tissues around your spine, minimize inflammation, and reduce instances of the sprains, strains, and muscle spasms that can contribute to spine pain.
Lastly, let’s talk about wedding day stress. It’s fine to have some minor nervousness over things like whether or not your little nephew will be able to carry the ring without getting fussy or stumbling, but too much stress isn’t good for your spine or the muscles that support it. If you’re excessively stressed, try breathing and relaxing techniques like mindful meditation that you can do quickly and privately before the ceremony to ease your anxiety and keep your spine happy.
If your spine-related pain is chronic, consider surgical options such aslumbar foraminotomy. Los Angelespatients who are unable to find relief can reach out to Dr. Hyun Bae at The Spine Institute. If you want to find out about other surgical options or schedule an in-person evaluation, give us a call at 310-828-7757 today.