NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec 16, 2008 -- "There's a right way and a wrong way to shop," says Dr. Louis Obersteadt, and he's not referring to where you're shopping, what you're buying or how much you're spending, he's referring to the proper way to carry your gifts. "I don't care if you shop at Sak's Fifth Avenue, Walmart, or the Dollar store," says the former president of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, "what counts is how you handle your packages." And this, according to Obersteadt, can make the difference between sitting in a warm comfy chair watching your kids and family open presents Christmas morning or have you laid up somewhere immobilized.

Holiday Shopping: Oh the Joy, Oh the Pain

There are more back, neck and shoulder injuries suffered during the holiday season (December) than at any other time of the year," says Obersteadt, "and that's because people are loaded up with gifts, they've been walking for hours and hours, many women in high heels, and between the purses and the bags and the constant leaning to one side the chances of causing a (serious) misalignment are significant and greatly enhanced," says Obersteadt, one of Tennessee's most highly regarded chiropractors, having twice earned the distinction as Tennessee's Chiropractor of the year.

Holiday Shopping: A Pinch in Your Wallet, A Crick in your Back

"Make no mistake about it," says Dr. Obersteadt, "this time of year can, and does, add tremendous mental as well as physical stress on our bodies." Think about all that shopping you do. Not to mention putting a crimp in your wallet there's an equally good chance you'll put a crimp in your back or neck. "Talk about a casserole of tension," says Obersteadt, "with times as tough as they are you can easily find yourself wound tighter than Toby Keith's guitar string and under highly unusual and stressful situations."

Keep the Good Cheer and Reduce the Wear (and Tear) on Your Back
To ensure that good tidings prevail for

you and your family this holiday season and to stem the tide of aches, pains and even injuries, Dr. Obersteadt has come up with the following healthy and smart shopping techniques for all:

Dr. Obersteadts' 12 Tips for a Smart , Healthy and Pain-Free Holiday Shopping Season

1. Women especially, wear comfortable shoes, no high heels (tennis or running shoes).

2. Women, do not carry your large purse loaded with your things. Empty your purse or opt for a smaller purse that you can put in another bag as you begin collecting more bags.

3. While standing in line, shift your weight from one leg to the other and bend your knees occasionally.

4. While in line, or walking, do shoulder shrugs, and bend your head back to stretch your spine and alleviate pressure; take some deep breaths, you'll need the extra oxygen and it feels good too.

5. Only request bags that have handles or grips.

6. Carry bags equally divided, as much as possible with even weight distribution.

7. Divide gifts/presents up into different bags so you can carry them with both hands (stabilizing weight on both sides of your body to reduce leaning and pressure on muscles on just one side of the body).

8. Bring your own (large or small) tote that has handles so you can distribute gifts accordingly into your own bags that have handles.

9. Do not walk around with gifts/bags, etc., in front of you, (causes great lower back strain) and do not carry gifts on your shoulder, like your fetching water from a river in a third-world country (tremendous pressure and strain on all muscles).

10. Nutrition on the go is important. The best snack (or even meal) is trail mix with a combination of assorted unsalted nuts and fruit.

11. When wrapping gifts, be sure to do it on a flat surface that does not require you to stretch or bend or remain in awkward positions for any length of time.

12. Rest on benches, or sit to reduce leg pain and lower back stress and enjoy watching your fellow shoppers.