The holidays are meant to be a time of rest and celebration—but for many people, they also bring an unwelcome guest: low back pain. Between long car rides, lifting heavy boxes, extra time on the couch, and disrupted routines, it’s common for back discomfort to surface or worsen after the holidays.

While mild soreness may resolve on its own, persistent or worsening low back pain can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires expert care. Knowing when to seek a specialist can make all the difference in recovery and long-term spine health.

Why Low Back Pain Often Appears After the Holidays

Holiday activities place unexpected strain on the spine, even for people who were pain-free before. Common triggers include:

Prolonged sitting or travel during flights, road trips, and gatherings

Lifting heavy items such as luggage, boxes, or decorations without proper support

Sudden changes in activity levels, including overexertion or inactivity

Poor posture while relaxing, working remotely, or sleeping in unfamiliar beds

Cold weather, which can increase muscle stiffness and joint pain

For individuals with existing spine conditions—such as disc degeneration, sciatica, or spinal stenosis—these factors can quickly turn manageable discomfort into chronic pain.

When Is Low Back Pain More Than Just Soreness?

Occasional stiffness is common, but low back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks or interferes with daily life should not be ignored. You may benefit from specialist evaluation if your pain:

Persists beyond two to three weeks

Worsens with movement, standing, or sitting

Radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs

Causes numbness, tingling, or weakness

Disrupts sleep or limits physical activity

Does not improve with rest, stretching, or over-the-counter medication

These symptoms may indicate conditions such as disc injury, nerve compression, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or facet joint disease—all of which require targeted treatment rather than general rest.

Why Early Specialist Care Matters

Delaying care can allow inflammation, nerve irritation, or structural issues to progress. At California Sports & Spine Institute, the focus is on early diagnosis and non-surgical solutions designed to restore function and relieve pain at its source.

Specialist care allows for:

Accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging and diagnostic testing

Identification of whether pain is muscular, disc-related, or nerve-based

Personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s lifestyle and goals

Early intervention often prevents the need for surgery and helps patients return to normal activity sooner.

Advanced, Non-Surgical Treatment Options at CSSI

Dr. Maxim Moradian and the team at CSSI offer a comprehensive range of minimally invasive and regenerative treatments for low back pain, including:

Diagnostic nerve blocks and discography to pinpoint pain sources

Epidural steroid injections for inflammation and nerve pain

Radiofrequency ablation for long-lasting facet joint relief

Regenerative therapies such as PRP and stem cell treatments

Discseel® Procedure, an innovative option for treating disc-related pain without surgery

CSSI is proud to be the only provider in California offering the Discseel® Procedure, providing hope for patients with chronic back pain who have exhausted other options.

Don’t Let Post-Holiday Pain Define Your Year

Low back pain after the holidays may feel frustrating—but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Ignoring ongoing discomfort can limit mobility, affect work performance, and reduce quality of life. Seeking care from a spine specialist ensures you receive the right treatment before pain becomes chronic.

At California Sports & Spine Institute, the mission is simple: restore movement, relieve pain, and help patients reclaim their active lifestyles.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If low back pain is lingering after the holidays, expert care is available. California Sports & Spine Institute offers in-office and telemedicine appointments for your convenience.

📍 Arcadia | Glendale | Palmdale

📞 Call (818) 338-6860 to schedule your evaluation

Start your journey toward lasting relief and a pain-free year ahead.