Written by Dr. Maggie Hunsicker, DC, and Dr. Kailee Logan, DC | Thrive Chiropractic, Topeka, KS
TL;DR
- Parents do a lot of lifting in November: kids in and out of car seats, a toddler on one hip, bags and gifts in the other hand, and long travel days to see family.
- Most of that strain comes from lifting while twisting, carrying weight on one side and sitting for long stretches.
- Small changes help: turn your feet before you lift, switch hips, split heavy loads and build movement breaks into travel days.
- At Thrive Chiropractic, Dr. Maggie and Dr. Kailee look at how your spine and nervous system are handling the stress, then build a care plan around your goals.
- We don't accept health insurance. We accept HSA and FSA cards, cash, all major credit cards and CareCredit.
If your back starts aching about the time the Thanksgiving plans come together, you're not imagining it. As a back pain chiropractor in Topeka, we hear it from parents every November: the season adds a lot of lifting, carrying and sitting on top of an already full schedule.
This guide is for the grown-ups. It covers why holiday weeks are hard on parents' backs, what you can do about it, and how we care for back pain at Thrive.
Why Does My Back Hurt More Around the Holidays?
Parents' backs tend to hurt more around the holidays because the season stacks extra lifting, twisting and sitting on top of normal family life. You're still doing the school runs and the laundry. Now you're also loading the car, carrying gifts, standing in checkout lines and sitting through long drives.
Your spine and the nerves that run through it are what let your body handle all of that. Our chiropractic care page puts it simply: your brain controls your body through your nervous system. When physical stress keeps piling up without a break, that system has more to manage, and many parents feel it first as a stiff, sore back.
What Holiday Jobs Are Hardest on a Parent's Back?
The jobs that are hardest on a parent's back are the ones that combine lifting with a twist, or keep weight on one side of your body for a long time. Here are the big ones we hear about.
Lifting kids in and out of car seats
Getting a child into a car seat usually means leaning into the car, reaching forward with a child in your arms and twisting to set them down, all while you're half bent over. Do that several times a day, on top of holiday errands, and your lower back notices.
Carrying a toddler on one hip
Most parents have a favorite hip. Carrying a child on the same side every time means one side of your back and hips does most of the work.
Travel days
Long drives and flights mean hours of sitting, often with a child on your lap or a car seat to install at the other end. Then you unload the trunk or wrestle a carry-on into the overhead bin as soon as you arrive.
Shopping trips
Pushing a heavy cart, carrying bags in one hand and a child in the other, and standing in long lines all add up over a full day of errands.
Sleeping somewhere new
A guest bed, a pull-out couch or sharing a bed with a little one who kicks can leave you waking up stiff.
How Can Parents Prevent Holiday Back Pain?
Parents can prevent a lot of holiday back pain by changing how they lift, spreading the load and building movement into long days. These habits help.
At the car
- Get close before you lift. Step your feet in as close to the car seat as you can instead of reaching in from the door.
- Turn with your feet. Face the seat, then lift, so you aren't twisting while holding your child.
- Use your legs. Bend your knees and hips, not just your waist.
- Kids who can climb in, should. Let older kids climb into their own seats while you help with the buckle.
Carrying kids and bags
- Switch hips regularly, or use a carrier that spreads the weight across both shoulders.
- Split heavy bags so you carry about the same in each hand.
- Make two trips. It takes a minute longer and saves your back.
On travel days
- Plan stops on long drives so everyone can get out and walk around.
- Stand up and stretch when you can on a flight or during a layover.
- Unload slowly. Let the car or the plane ride stiffness wear off before you lift heavy bags.
Shopping and errands
- Push the cart close to your body, standing tall instead of leaning over it.
- Take breaks on long shopping days, and sit down for a few minutes when you can.
At night
- Bring what helps. If a certain pillow makes a difference at home, pack it.
- Move a little first thing in the morning before you pick anyone up.
If you're also planning a family checkup for the kids before the holidays, our post on a pre-holiday family chiropractor checkup covers backpacks, fall sports and what we look for in children.
How Does a Back Pain Chiropractor in Topeka Help?
A back pain chiropractor in Topeka helps by finding where your spine and nervous system are under stress and using gentle adjustments to help your body function the way it should. Our goal at Thrive Chiropractic is to balance your nervous system so you can function at your full potential, not just quiet one symptom.
Insight scans
We use INSIGHT CLA scans to get a clear picture of how your nervous system is responding to everyday stress, physical, emotional and chemical. The scans are non-invasive and use no radiation, so they're safe for the whole family. You can learn more on our CLA Insight scanning page.
Gentle adjustments
Most chiropractic adjustments are painless. You may feel slight pressure or a brief sense of release. Some patients feel mild soreness, similar to what you might feel after exercise, which typically subsides within 24 hours.
What Happens at Your First Visits?
The onboarding process takes place over the first two visits.
Visit one: getting to know you
Before your first appointment, you'll complete intake forms in the Jane app. Plan about 45 minutes for the first visit. We'll listen to your concerns and goals, talk about your lifestyle and health history, and run your Insight scans.
Visit two: bringing it together
When you return, Dr. Maggie and Dr. Kailee go over the results of your nervous system scans, revisit your goals and explain their recommendations for care. They'll let you know how chiropractic care might help and answer your questions.
Who Are the Doctors at Thrive?
Dr. Maggie Hunsicker is a fourth-generation chiropractor. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology at Washburn University and her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She holds the CACCP credential through the ICPA and is Webster certified.
Dr. Kailee Logan earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic University in 2022. She is Webster certified, an ICPA member and holds a 100-hour acupuncture certification.
We see the whole family, from brand new babies to busy grandparents, so if your kids or parents need care too, they're welcome. Our services page lists everything we offer.
How Much Does Chiropractic Care Cost at Thrive?
We do not accept health insurance, but we happily accept HSA and FSA cards, along with cash, all major credit cards and CareCredit.
We don't offer walk-in adjustments. Instead, every person gets a customized care plan based on their health goals and what we find during the initial visit. Care plans are offered as bundled visits over time at a discounted rate, which helps you stay consistent. You'll see your financial options at your second visit, before you commit to anything.
When Should I See a Medical Doctor First?
Chiropractic care works alongside medical care. See your doctor or go to urgent care first if you have:
- Severe back pain after a fall or car accident
- Numbness, weakness or tingling in your legs that is getting worse
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Back pain with a fever or unexplained weight loss
Book Your Visit
Thrive Chiropractic
509 SW Jackson St, Topeka, KS 66603
Call or text: (785) 331-4515
Hours
Monday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 2pm
Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday through Sunday: Closed
Same-day emergency appointments are available. Call us to check today's openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect during my first visit?
We'll do a thorough consultation, talk through your health history and run your Insight scans. Plan about 45 minutes. At your second visit, we explain our findings and recommend a care plan built around your needs.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
In most cases, you don't need a referral to see a chiropractor.
Do adjustments hurt?
Most adjustments are painless. You may feel slight pressure or a brief sense of release. Some people have mild soreness afterward, which typically subsides within 24 hours.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition, your overall health and your goals. After your initial evaluation, we'll recommend a plan that outlines the expected number of visits.
Do you only see prenatal and pediatric patients?
Not at all. We love seeing the whole family. Whether you're a brand new baby or a busy grandparent, we provide individualized care to support your nervous system.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept health insurance. We've chosen to operate outside of insurance so we can provide personalized, consistent care. We happily accept HSA and FSA cards and CareCredit.
