Tips to Reduce Overuse Injuries This Summer
By Sara Butler
You've been holed up in your home for the past couple weeks and now that spring has sprung, you're probably more than ready to get out and do things outside. Your body was made to move but the problem many people encounter when going from a cold season to a warmer one is overuse injuries. The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic understand this issue and want to give you a few tips to help you navigate the warm months ahead injury-free.
Common Overuse Injuries
The most common overuse injuries seen by the chiropractors at The Joint in the spring and summer can be divided into a few major categories. They are:
- Back injuries - You may have been more sedentary over the winter and now that you have things to do outside you may be stooping and bending more than usual. Anything that involves movements such as side-to-side or forward bend, like pulling weeds or pruning shrubs, can cause strain to the muscles, ligaments, and joints that support the spine.
- Neck injuries - Any time you stay in one posture for a long period of time, such as looking up to prune trees or painting ceilings, can lead to injuries of the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the neck.
- Elbow and shoulder injuries - Any time you participate in a repetitive action such as when you paint, dig, or play tennis and golf, you can injure the structures in the shoulder or elbow, leading to pain that can hang around for a long time if not addressed.
- Pulled muscles - Any time you go from not moving much to moving more, then you're at risk for pulled and strained muscles. Severe pulls can take months to heal.
Overuse injuries can be avoided by limited your activities until you slowly build up strength and flexibility. You should also take frequent breaks.
Tips to Avoid Injuries
The chiropractors at The Joint recommend you take the following actions to help reduce your risk of developing an overuse injury this spring and summer. You should:
- Warm up - Loosen up your muscles before you start a task to help reduce injury
- Start slow - When you begin a new activity, make sure to start slowly instead of going all gung-ho from the get-go
- Use the proper form - Don't' forget to make sure you're using the proper technique when you're doing activities such as bending and lifting. Also, make sure you have the correct gear for an activity such as the proper shoes.
If you do suffer from an overuse injury, then come into The Joint Chiropractic for an evaluation today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.