Prevent Spring Injuries

Spring is here!

Spring is in the air.  The days are getting longer and temperatures are getting higher.  People are opening up their windows and heading out side.  Spring is the best time of the year to exercise outside, its warm but not yet hot and humid.  With this weather comes the temptation to overdue it, and just like the temps, overuse injuries spike in the spring.  When someone returns to a sport or activity after a break or tries to push themselves too much, injury can result.  We are all one year older than last spring, and as we age we become less flexible, increasing the risk of injury and soreness.  Such injuries range from strains and sprains to general muscle soreness, to overuse injuries that can lead to more serious problems in the future, such as osteoarthritis.  What ever your outdoor activity is, running, biking, softball, soccer, working in the garden, or playing with your kids, its important to start out slowly.  I like to go by the ten percent rule.  Start out doing ten percent of what you could do last summer, and increase your activity by only 10 percent each consecutive workout.  Also don't forget to stretch before and after exercising!  If you aren't sure about proper stretching, its best to ask for professional help, improper stretching can be worse than not stretching at all!  Here is a link to some videos that will show you proper stretching technique. It is important to see a doctor after injury so that diagnosis and treatment can begin and to avoid further injury, but remember, PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE!  So get out there and run, bike, play with your kids, start working on that garden, or just take a walk in the sunshine.  Just do it properly, your body will thank you!

 

Yours in health,

Dr. Tate Huffman, D.C.