The warmer summer months invite fun outdoor activities and the beginning of summer sports. If you weren't active during the winter and spring months, slowly easing your way back into being active is best. A sudden increase in exercise can often lead to injury and back pain. While injuries can always happen, there are some tips for preventing them this summer.
- Warm-up - Despite the weather being warmer in the summer, your muscles still require you physically warm them up. It can increase your blood flow, muscle temperature, and core temperature. A good warm-up can also disrupt temporary connective tissue bonds, helping avoid pulled and strained muscles.
- Hydrate - Being well hydrated during a workout improves your overall ability to perform exercises, enhances sleep, facilitates detox, aids in weight loss, and prevents muscle cramps and dehydration.
- Use proper equipment - Reduce the risk of spine injury by wearing protective equipment appropriately, depending on the sport.
- Take breaks - Repetitive motion sports like tennis can cause damage to various parts of the body. Learning when it's time to take a break can protect you from fatigue injuries.
These tips are great to consider to prevent spine injuries, but it is also essential to remember that if something doesn't feel right before getting active, pay extra close attention to your body. Be conscious of any pain, tightness, or stiffness, and do not push yourself too hard, for this is when injuries are most common. If you find yourself with persistent back pain we know how to help you heal and get back into the game as quickly as possible. Dr. Moazzaz specializes in non-invasive, nonsurgical therapies and back and neck pain treatments.
Dr. Payam Moazzaz is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon in California specializing in robotic-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery.