03 Jun Tips to a Pain Free Summer
Its summer – time for fun in the sun! Summer is a great time of the year, the weather is nice and people can finally get outdoors! Of course, summer offers a number of activities for both children and adults. There’s so much to do—bicycle rides, picnics, trips to the beach, vacationing, and spending time at the park! But if you’re living in pain, it can be difficult to enjoy everything that summer has to offer.
Enjoying the great outdoors is grand, but summer can present some challenges for those with painful conditions. Being prepared for this summer’s activities can help prevent/relieve some of the pain that you may experience. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you relieve the pain this summer!
Going on Vacation/Traveling:
• Try not to over pack: Remember that the more you put into your bag, the more you’ll have to lift — in and out of the car, into an overhead compartment, etc. A heavy bag can quickly lead to a strained muscle or lead to even more pain and discomfort to your back. It’s better to take a couple of smaller bags than one overly heavy bag. Also, pack the proper medicine and items that you need to help support any pain you may experience.
• Sit Correctly: Regardless of how you’re getting there (via plane, train, or automobile), you’ll probably be sitting for a while. Be sure to sit with a straight back while retaining the natural curves of your back. Posture can greatly impact the amount of pain you may experience from neck, joint, or back pain. Think about adding lumbar support with a pillow or rolled up towel.
• Move Frequently: Besides improving your comfort and reducing stiffness, frequent movement can reduce your risk of deep vein thrombosis and the amount of pain you may experience from sitting for several hours. If traveling by plane or train, try to get up and walk every hour, or do some exercises to improve your circulation. If you’re driving, be sure to stop every few hours to get out of the car, stretch, and move around. Stretching your back and legs before and after your trip will help to loosen up any stiffness felt in the lower back after sitting for a long period of time.
• Stay Healthy: It is important to eat properly and stay hydrated. Stop for meals and make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially while flying or driving. Eating proper foods and staying hydrated can reduce the effects of some pain conditions.
Taking Part in Popular Summer Sports:
• Golfing
– Start Slow – If you are new or an experienced golf player, don’t overdo it. Start with short practice sessions on the driving range before tackling the whole course.
– Condition and Stretch – Try to focus on exercises that incorporate rotation to prepare your body for the torque experienced while swinging a golf club. Stretching
during and after your golf game also can alleviate building muscle tension and other forms of pain.
– Rest – This is an important part of keeping a healthy back that many golfers ignore. Swinging a golf club is not a movement that is natural to your body. Therefore, if
you continue to play day after day, you are forcing your body to endure strain that it wasn’t designed to handle. Give yourself some time to recover between rounds.
Most importantly, if you do feel back pain, stop playing until you can talk to your physician and rule out a serious injury.
• Football:
– Know Your Limits – If you are taking part in playing in football this summer, know the limits of your condition. There are different forms of football to play: flag football, friendly game of toss, or even two hand touch. Your pain condition may vary depending on the level of pain you are experiencing.
– Exercise/Stretch – Do some warm-ups and stretch to make sure that you are feeling limber. This can help prevent/relieve the amount of pain you may experience.
• Baseball:
– Don’t Exert Yourself Too Much – The great thing about baseball is that you can play a friendly game of catch or a quick nine game series. Depending upon your level of pain this summer, try to slowly start playing and knowing what you are most comfortable with.
– Keep Moving – Staying on the move is a given in baseball. Keep your body limber and stretch before every play. This simple exercise can help reduce the amount pain you may get later on. Also, be aware of what you can do with you medical condition.
Hopefully these are some helpful tips so you can be ready for a pain free summer! Be sure to do some more research on the best tips to help manage your pain condition or talk with a doctor. Try to relax and know your limits when it comes to your pain level tolerance. Keep in mind that if you feeling constant pain, you should seek treatment immediately. Call the physicians at the Illinois Pain Institute today for more information!