Get Your Spine Ready for Spring
By Debra Rodzinak
After being inside for most of the cold winter months, it will be nice to get back outside during spring. However, if the spine is not in the best possible shape and alignment, that spring in your step can turn into a pain in your neck.
Start with Chiropractic
Since winter is the time when many people slow down and are not as active, joints and muscles can become stiff and sore. Before engaging in any vigorous outdoor activities such as gardening, golf, or a long walk, visit your local chiropractor for a gentle spinal adjustment. When the spine is in proper working order, the rest of the body works better and injury to the delicate joints of the spine can be avoided.
Heat
As you are conditioning your body to becoming more active, precautions can be taken to assist you. Heat therapy can soothe muscles before and after any activity to help restore blood flood.
- Apply heat before a workout to reduce muscle strain. Pain can be reduced by as much as 50 percent when applied pre-workout.
- After a workout, heat can calm muscles and prevent painful cramping. If a person has become slightly dehydrated after a workout, muscle stability can be affected and a cramp can happen. Heat can help muscles return to their normal state without cramping.
Stretching
Never begin any activity until you stretch your muscles. Take five minutes before and after any activity to stretch the muscles.
- Begin by stretching the large muscle groups first. The leg muscles are some of the largest muscles on the body. These muscles play a key role in supporting the back, so stretch the legs, back and abdomen.
- After the large muscles have been stretched, make sure the arms, legs, and neck muscles are fully stretched.
Sleep
The opposite of activity is sleep. However, sleep is very important for an active lifestyle. Injury occurs when sleep deprivation or insomnia are a major cause of injury that occurs during the day.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule and routine. The body is made for routine, both consciously and unconsciously. Going to bed at the same time and sleeping in a comfortable bed help the body relax at night.
- Stay away from food and drink that hinder sleep. Caffeine should not be ingested after lunch if you plan on trying to sleep in the evening.
As with any routine, always begin with a trip to The Joint Chiropractic. At The Joint, the expert doctors can help you get your spine and joints ready for spring. With no pesky insurance forms to fill out or appointment times to remember, finding a path to wellness is quick and easy.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
