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You’ve waited all year for summer to be here. But before you jet off on your dream vacation, don’t forget to read up on our tips that will help you make the most of your adventures and minimize those common injuries that can occur.
Whether you’re more prone to relaxing or you pack every bit of action you can cram into your trips, here’s what you should know!
– Sore feet
Your daily footwear is likely not strappy sandals, flip-flops, or even a shoeless look, is it? It sure feels great to run around uninhibited, but your feet can find this painful. That’s because they’re not used to the lack of support. Take it easy when you first head out in those vacation shoes or you might sprain your ankle or wind up with plantar fasciitis. Try to find sandals that give you a bit of support where you need it most – in the ankles and around the arches.
– Back, shoulders, arms, and more
Really active vacationers tend to overdo it during their trips because winter is a brutal force that they only fight through the snow for to head to work or hit the slopes. Summer sports are so easy and relaxing. And it’s easy to see how one could get carried away. There’s tennis, swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, and tons of water sports. But these sports all require a repetitive motion in the shoulders which can spread through the back and the length of the arms. Let’s not forget that neck either!
Instead, keep your sessions short and sweet. You can always take on another round later in the day. Too much too soon will leave you feeling too sore to enjoy that beachside vacation.
– Knees
Like going for runs? Summer happens to be the time of year when physiotherapists are busiest for treating knee pain. After being inside during those long, cold months, you want to make up for lost time by getting out there and doing what you love. Hard as it is to resist, take it easy and start off slow to avoid blowing your knee out.
– Lethargic back pain
Some people are busy all year, moving around non-stop. When the heat hits, they hate it and hide indoors where the air conditioning is cold. If they ever go outside, it’s to get the mail or perhaps get in the pool. Other than that, they spend every summer day lazing away.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the way to catch up on the rest you need from such a busy year. When you spend too long sitting in reclined or slumped positions, you leave your back prone for disc injuries. It can happen whether you’re young or old. While there’s nothing wrong with taking it easy from time to time, having too many of those lazy days will lead to trouble.
Keep your body in motion the right way. Our physiotherapists can come to you to help relieve your pains and improve your mobility.
