Winter Aches & Pains Anyone? (& a giveaway!)

My neck and back had been hurting for a few weeks, so I finally broke down and bought a new pillow last week. I’m pretty picky about my pillow – I like a thick one that holds its shape.  I sleep on my side a lot and know it’s important to have a pillow that keeps my back in alignment.  Anyway, the new pillow is great ($9.99 at Target); so I was surprised yesterday when my neck started hurting again.  I have no idea what’s up, except that maybe it’s just one of the “perks” of the cold winter weather.  Ugh!

Needless to say, when I found this information in my e-mail inbox, I knew it was worthy of sharing.  Because, obviously, I’m not the only one with aches and pains – and misery loves company, right?  Anyway, if you’re experiencing the aches and pains of winter, you might appreciate this - - -

According to a recent survey, 62% of Americans have aches and pains that are triggered by winter activities such as shoveling snow, being outdoors for long periods of time, and clearing ice off a car. [1]

To help combat these cold weather aches and pains, ThermaCare HeatWraps offer the following tips to keep you moving during the cold weather months.

· Warm up before any outdoor activity – A quick 10 minute warm up can prevent hours of aches and pains. If you are going to be skiing/ice skating or even playing outside with your family, make sure to stretch and do simple conditioning like squats or lunges to get your body moving before going outside. [2]

· Pace yourself while shoveling snow – We all know the aches and pains that come from shoveling snow. However, there are certain things you can do to protect your body from getting hurt.  Try choosing a shovel with a plastic blade rather than a metal blade. Plastic blades are lighter and may do less harm on your back. Also try to take breaks and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated in the cold. While this may take a little longer to finish your driveway, your body will thank you for it later!

· Dress warm and in layers –Minor aches and pains often feel worse in cold weather. If you are going to be outside for long periods of time, remember to wear a hat and scarf to ensure you are staying warm in the cold.

· Wear comfortable non-slip shoes – Icy patches on roads are sometimes unnoticeable, so it’s important to do everything you can to avoid slips or falls. When you are walking to and from your car while grocery shopping and doing other chores, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes with good traction.

· Try using ThermaCare® HeatWraps – Reach for ThermaCare® HeatWraps when you know you have a long day of winter activities ahead of you to help keep you moving and relieve aches and pains. They are available in custom sizes for a variety of aches and pains and are proven to be more effective for back pain than the maximum dose of acetaminophen (4,000 mg). *  (* As measured after 8 hours.)

Additionally, ThermCare HeatWraps brand new Facebook page is launching on Tuesday, January 11^th, and they’re giving away 10,000 free samples.  Anyone can just visit www.Facebook.com/ThermaCare  beginning on Tuesday for more details on how to receive one.

GIVEAWAY!  I have a soothing winter prize pack for one of my readers!  The prize pack will include:

· Microfleece blanket

· A decorative mug

· Delicious seasonal tea

· ThermaCare Heatwraps

If you’d like to win, simply leave me a comment telling me what you’ll use your ThermaCare Heatwraps for.  It’s as simple as that! 

I’ll select a random commenter next Tuesday, January 18th, at noon.  Good luck! 

[1] Opinion Research Inc. conducted a national telephone survey of 1,000 adults, age 18 or older living in the continental United States. The survey was completed during the period November 4-8, 2010. The survey was funded by Pfizer.  

[2] Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program

NOTE: This great giveaway is compliments of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.  I received no product or compensation for this post.