As Spring arrives in Northern Colorado, we enjoy the blooming flowers, greener landscapes, chirping birds, and rolling water. But our chiropractors in Loveland also see many patients at this time of year who injure themselves getting back outdoors to more activity.Most of us haven’t planted flowers in the yard or hit the trail on a bicycle since last year. Even something as simple as starting your lawn mower can stress your back and shoulders.
- Mowing the Lawn — Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain
- Mulching — Low back pain, upper back pain
- Weed Whacking — Neck pain, shoulder pain
- Planting — Knee pain, back pain, neck pain
- Painting/Powerwashing — Neck pain, Shoulder pain
- Digging — Knee pain, Back pain, Neck pain
- Fitness regimens — Tendonitis and overuse injuries
At Scott Family Health, we want you to enjoy Spring while minimizing your risks for aches, pains, sprains, and strains. Here are some tips to help you avoid injuries that are commonly associated with Spring chores and activities:
Drink plenty of water:
Your body is mostly water, and spinal discs are typically 70- 90% water! The discs of your spine help to space out the bones correctly. Well- hydrated discs leave room for delicate nerve roots to your muscles, allowing your frame to function at its peak potential.
Start slow:
Athletes spend up to an hour warming up to prevent injuries. Try a 10-minute walk and stretching so your joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons warm up to your tasks. Focus on your planned activity. For example, if your activity involves your shoulders, circle your shoulders and arms to put them through an active range of motion.
Use the right tool for the job:
Get the hammer before using your hand or fist. Set up a knee cushion for planting flowers. Good tools increase your leverage, allowing physics and inanimate objects to take the stress. You can always get a new rake, but new backs and necks and knees are hard to come by.
If you’ve already injured yourself, please contact us for an appointment. Chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of joint, muscle, ligament, tendon, and functional (nervous system) problems. Though anti-inflammatory medications can help you “tough it out,” people find that chiropractic care not only decreases pain, but also helps you get back to enjoying Spring faster.
Contact Our Doctor:
Dr. Josh Hoopes, D.C., holds his Doctor of Chiropractic from University of Western States, 2015. He is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, with certification from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, camping, mountain biking, snowmobiling, soccer, basketball, and golf.
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