The colder weather is coming, and with it comes back pain. While back pain can occur at any point throughout the year, it has been shown that people have more of a tendency to have complaints during the winter months, even if they live in warmer climates. Whether you currently suffer from back issues or not, here are some tips to help you avoid it.
Wear sensible shoes. If you are living in an area that gets snow and ice, wearing heels or other dress shoes just is not sensible. You’re setting yourself up for a fall. Find shoes or boots that will help you avoid that situation, such as boots that have traction for snow and ice. Even if you live in a climate that stays warm year round, wearing supportive shoes while in transit is helpful to your body, especially when it rains. Those who suffer from lower back pain can find sneakers that have added support as a preventative measure.
Don’t overdo it. When it’s colder and there are a lot of things to carry from the car to the house, or vice versa, people will do anything to avoid making more than one trip. Do yourself a favor and make the extra trips, rather than overloading your bags, arms and back with loads that are too heavy. The heavier the load, the harder it is to properly maneuver, the more likely the person is to trip and fall, and the faster people move, in an attempt to get the weight off of their bodies as soon as possible. This situation is a back injury waiting to happen.
If you have to shovel, pace yourself. This is one of the most common ways to injure your back during the winter months. Sometimes, shoveling snow is the only way to get out of the house. While it can be dangerous and harmful for your back, pacing yourself and limiting the amount of snow you pile on your shovel will help prevent injury. Going too fast can cause your muscles to tighten, causing spasms and other injuries. Picking up too much snow with your shovel can also cause injury if it’s too heavy.
Continue exercising. Colder weather may keep you indoors, but don’t let it keep you from exercising. Your body needs to stay strong and healthy throughout the year, so find ways to keep your strength up. Perhaps you could join a gym, purchase gym equipment to use at home, or simply research ways to exercise indoors. There are many tips online that are cost efficient and that actually work.