Spring Back into Motion
Physical Therapists Offer Tips to Prevent Seasonal Injuries as Weather Warms and People "Spring Back Into Motion".
Teays Physical Therapy Center, a leading physical therapy provider in our tri-state area, is sharing some tips to help community members safely transition to increased physical activity this spring.
As temperatures rise and outdoor activities resume, physical therapists often see an uptick in overuse injuries among patients eager to return to gardening, hiking, sports, and other seasonal activities after winter's relative inactivity.
Many people don't realize that jumping back into spring activities too quickly can lead to preventable injuries. Overuse injuries develop gradually when people repetitively stress muscles and ligaments, which is especially common after periods of reduced activity.
Our therapists highlight five key strategies to prevent spring injuries:
Gradually increase activity levels by no more than 10% per week
Perform proper warm-ups before any physical activity
Vary activities to avoid repetitive stress on the same muscle groups
Recognize and respond appropriately to pain signals
Use ergonomic tools and proper body mechanics for activities like gardening
The goal is for people to enjoy everything spring has to offer without pain or limitation, and the therapists added that a brief PT assessment can make the difference between a season of activity and a season of recovery.
For more information about preventing overuse injuries or to schedule a spring readiness assessment, call today!
Hurricane 304-757-7293
St. Albans 304-727-7293