Summer activities are a great way to get some physical exercise. For those with joint pain, exercises such as running or jumping can cause severe pain. Here is a list of activities that are low impact, chiropractor recommended summer activities for your joints and can actually help alleviate some of the pain you may be experiencing.
Stretch Before Anything
Before you begin any physical activity it is best to stretch and warm up your body. Moving and stretching your muscles helps prevent injury or further pain and gets them ready before jumping right into a strenuous exercise. Stretching gets your body going and ready to move and keeps it moving.
Swimming
Summer isn’t summer without swimming. Luckily swimming is one of the best summer activities you can participate in to help back and joint pain. Aerobic exercise is really helpful for those with chronic pain. Even casual swimming or aerobic exercises can help with physical fitness. Water helps to give you some exercise without putting more pressure on your joints and swimming also helps to lower your blood pressure. If you feel you need some exercise this summer but want less pain, hop on in the pool.
Biking
Summer is the perfect time to explore on your bike. Biking is low impact for your body and is recommended for current chiropractic patients. It is important to maintain good posture and take breaks as needed for your joint or back pain.
Yoga
Like stretching, yoga can help to alleviate pain and prevent future joint pain. Yoga is included in this list of summer activities because the warmth from the sun actually helps improve your flexibility. There are many health benefits to yoga than it just being a low impact exercise. It can help lower back pain, benefit your heart health and improve your sleep.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and explore nature. Take your time while hiking and use a walking stick to help with pain if the hike is more challenging. Walking and hiking can easily boost your health and have relatively low impact. If the heat is bothersome for you, it is best to hike or walk in the early morning or evening when it is still light out.
Strength Training
If you experience pain while exercising, strength training might not seem appealing. But building up your muscles is a summer activity that can help protect your joints and ligaments. You don’t have to start with the heaviest weights to get results, but you can build up to bigger exercises. Talk to your doctor or chiropractor to make sure you have a routine that allows you to rest and recover.
Relaxing In A Hammock
Relaxing seems to come hand in hand with the summer months. Relaxing in a hammock is a great summer activity for those who experience chronic pain. Raising your legs in a hammock can help with blood circulation and the flexibility of the hammock allows your body to take the pressure off your joints.
Summer Activities To Avoid
Naps can be helpful for rest but laying down and taking a nap can cause inflammation in those that experience joint pain. Resting your body is important, but if after a nap you feel that your joints are stiff, maybe avoid napping during the day.
Visit Your Chiropractor
One of the most important summer activities that you should not skip is to visit your chiropractor regularly. We can help provide some relief if you have done too much activity or are feeling stiff. Chiropractors help with all kinds of pain and can help your body to heal more naturally.
Elevate Wellness is open Monday through Thursday to make sure that your body is summer ready. Getting low impact exercise combined with visiting our office can help you feel more energized and ready to take on the day. Contact our office to set up an appointment today.