From spring cleaning to gardening to spring sports, there is no shortage of things to do as the weather warms and flowers start to bloom. Unfortunately, these common spring activities can cause significant back pain and other injuries if you’re not careful. Prevention is key to avoid common spring injuries that can occur from these activities. The last thing you want is for an injury to keep you from enjoying the fresh spring air.
From back pain to shoulder pain to falls, there are many common spring injuries that can be avoided with the proper care. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of things that you can do in order to avoid common spring injuries so you can get the most out of this lovely season. Let’s dive in!
#1. Warm Up Properly
Many people don’t realize how strenuous spring activities like spring cleaning and gardening can be. Warming up isn’t just for those of us who take advantage of this season to hit the mountain trails or take up running again. It’s for everyone who is about to use their body for an extended period of time. Simply warming up your muscles can go a long way to help you avoid common spring injuries.
#2. Wear Proper Shoes
Good shoes are essential to avoid common spring injuries, especially those that occur when running or gardening. You need shoes that will provide you with proper traction, support, and that won’t strain your muscles.
#3. Use Ergonomic Equipment
Spring is the time to get out and start doing yard work and gardening again, but many people don’t realize that they can avoid common spring injuries like back pain simply through using ergonomic tools that fit your body well.
#4. Ensure You Lift Properly
This time of year, we’re lifting a lot. Whether you are spring cleaning and carrying things all around your house or you are gardening and carrying things all over your garden or whatever else, it’s crucial that you use proper lifting techniques to avoid common spring injuries from improper lifting. You want to ensure that you are lifting with your legs, not your back. Bend at your knees, not at your waist, and keep whatever you are lifting close to your body.
Lifting with your back is one of the most common causes of back pain, so simply exercising proper lifting techniques can go a long way to keep you in good condition all spring and year long.
#5. Slow Down
Tempting as it can be to tackle everything that needs to be done at once in order to get it all out of the way, you don’t want to take on too much at once. Slowing it down and doing your spring cleaning bit by bit or increasing the difficulty of your hikes bit by bit gives your body time to adjust to the movement and to recover. Overuse is a common spring injury that is easily avoided by simply slowing down, so you don’t wear out.
#6. Take Breaks
If you’re tired and feel like you need to take a break, take one! Breaks are important in order for your body to avoid common spring injuries that can result from overuse and wear and tear and exhaustion. The seeds that need to be planted will still be there later.
#7. Ask For Help When You Need It
There’s no shame in asking for help, indeed, asking for help when you need it can be one of the easiest ways to avoid common spring injuries that can result from overexertion or from injuries from trying to do something your body either cannot do or cannot do on its own. If you need help lifting something, ask for it. If you cannot reach something, ask if someone else can.
#8. Don’t Take On Tasks That Could Strain Areas With Pre-Existing Issues
If you’re already struggling with issues like shoulder pain and then you try to spend the day weeding your garden, and thus, putting a lot of strain on your shoulders, this is a recipe for disaster and injury.
#9. Don’t Ignore Any Signs Of Pain
A little soreness at the end of a long hike or a day in the garden can make you feel accomplished. But if you feel pain, that’s your body telling you that you’re going too far and that you either need to take a break or stop. Simply listening to your body can help you avoid common spring injuries a great deal.
#10. See A Chiropractor
Chiropractors can help keep your body in good condition by ensuring that it is in alignment. They can improve your range of motion, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. Chiropractic care can help keep your body in good condition, so that you are less prone to injury. A great way to avoid common spring injuries is through seeing a chiropractor, so your body is in good condition.
Elevate Wellness can help you avoid common spring injuries with professional chiropractic care. Contact us today to learn more or to set up an appointment.