Leading Pain Specialist Tells How to Avoid the Super Bowl Flu

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When the Super Bowl airs on Feb. 7, millions of Americans will think they are ready to spend a minimum of four hours in front of their TV sets watching the two best NFL teams compete. They might, for example, have their lucky hats on, their favorite alcoholic beverages, their preferred easy chair and snacks aplenty as they gear up to watch the longest football game of the year, complete with extended half-time show and pre-game coverage.

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But what they may not realize is that they may be setting themselves up for low back pain (or aggregating existing back pain) that could cause them to miss work the next day—and lead them to frantic calls to a physician's office for pain relief (back pain is the second leading cause people give for scheduling doctor visits). It has been estimated that one million Americans call in sick the day after the Super Bowl, with the so-called Super Bowl Flu.

Winifred Bragg, M.D., medical director of the Spine and Orthopedic Pain Center, with offices in Norfolk and Chesapeake, Va., and author of a new book, Knock Out Pain: Secrets to Maintain a Healthy Back, offers these tips for avoiding the Super Bowl Flu:

• Watch the Super Bowl commercials while standing.
• Put a lumbar roll—or rolled up towel—behind your back as you watch the game.
• If you have one, sit on a stability ball instead of the couch.
• Keep snacks in another room. Get up to have one every 30 minutes or so. Choose healthy foods because obesity compounds back pain.

She'll also share why only 5 to 10 percent of patients with back pain will need surgery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Board certified both in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine, Winifred Bragg has successfully treated thousands of patients by providing a comprehensive approach to their pain through customized treatment plans. She has appeared in numerous TV and print media programs and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. She has been quoted as an expert in Redbook, Women's World, Weight Watcher's Magazine, Self Magazine and many more.

AVAILABILITY: Virginia Beach and surrounding area, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone
CONTACT: Winifred Bragg, M.D., 757-961-7498; Email; www.knockoutpain.com

SOURCE Winifred Bragg