Winter can be a fun season for many people. Ice skating, building a snowman with your family, skiing, and other activities make these months special. But as we all know very well, winter has its drawbacks.
Many kinds of injuries have an uptick during this time of year. Some are very tailored to the cold weather including frostbite, snow blindness, and hypothermia. Other injuries can easily happen any other time of year but are easier to inflict upon yourself in cold and icy conditions – such as sprains, strains, and back injuries due to slip-and-falls, strenuous activities (like shoveling snow), and more.
How Can We Lower the Risk of Injury This Winter?
Stretch Before Shoveling
It is important to stretch before any strenuous activities, and shoveling snow is no different. Always remember that shoveling snow is a full-body workout and should be treated as such.
Not only is it important to stretch beforehand, but you should also stretch after shoveling as a cool down. There are a number of suggested stretches such as shoulder and quad stretches that are good to get in the habit of doing following strenuous activities to reduce soreness and lower your risk of injury year-round.
Dress For The Elements
It’s very important to dress appropriately for the elements; especially if you plan to be outside for stretches of time like when shoveling snow. Dressing in layers can not only protect you from frostbite and hypothermia, but it can also potentially provide additional protection if you end up falling on ice. Wind and water-resistant coats and clothing are also highly recommended.
Additionally, wearing sunscreen is highly recommended. This may sound counterintuitive as the sun is out for shorter lengths of time in the winter. But the sun is just as capable of causing sunburn as other times of the year… particularly in the snow where the sun’s rays reflecting off it can cause serious sunburns.
Stay Hydrated
We need to stay just as hydrated all year long, and winter is no exception. In fact, cold air is dryer than warmer air, making it all the more important to you to drink plenty of water. The thought of drinking cold beverages (if you are spending time outside) may be undesirable, so drinking warm water or hot teas can help keep you hydrated while not keeping you from warming up.
Total Chiropractic Care Can Help You Recover Faster This Winter
While injuries can happen any time of year, many winter-related injuries related to slip-and-falls and similar kinds of motion that suddenly jerk your back muscles or otherwise cause spinal misalignment can be harder to recover from due to the cold. The experts at Total Chiropractic Care are well-trained and equipped to provide chiropractic care in response to injuries including spinal manipulation, exercises to do at home, lifestyle advice, and more.
If you are recovering from an injury, don’t just wait for the pain to go away. Let the experts at Total Chiropractic Care help you recover faster and more fully. Contact us today to set up an appointment and get more out of every day.