Spring is just about here, bringing more than just blooming flowers and chirping birds. The change in weather combined with more daylight is nature’s invitation to get out of hibernation mode and get more physically active.
Research confirms this seasonal trend: summer is prime time for movement, while winter often leads to a dip in activity. With the opportunity to become more active comes the potential for more injuries, aches, and pains. At Fast Track Physical Therapy, our therapists can help you learn more about these trends in seasonal activity, common problems, and how to prevent them.
Pain and injuries from overuse and overtraining become more common in the spring. After being indoors and less active, people try to take full advantage of the daylight and weather. Ramping up activity too quickly is a common cause of injury, like going from the couch to long hikes, bike rides, or even group fitness classes can lead to problems. Evaluate what you’ve been doing through the winter and build up slowly. For example, if you haven’t been walking at all, try to get out for 15 minutes 3 times this week. Next week, try for 20 minutes. In a few weeks, you’ll be on long strolls enjoying nature without overtaxing your muscles and joints.
Another common reason for spring visits at Fast Track Physical Therapy is “weekend warrior” injuries. As recreational sports ramp up for the season, injuries also start as people who did less through the winter head back to competition without enough preparation. So, before softball season starts up, or you book your weekends solid with tee times, consider your existing fitness routine. Look for areas where you could improve and also areas of your fitness that you’ve neglected. Have you been doing strength training all winter but ignored your endurance? Did you spend the winter on the treadmill and never stretched? Some adjustments now can save you pain and injury later.
Spring can be a great time to get outside and get more active, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’d like someone to look at your existing routine and help you prepare for more activity, or you’ve already got an ache or pain started, our physical therapists at Fast Track can help!
