Summer’s here, and for many of us that means getting outside for activities that we can only do when it’s warm. Whether you enjoy getting onto a pair of water skiis on Belews Lake, sliding down a rock at Stone Mountain, hopping on a boogie board to ride the waves at the Crystal Coast or just taking a run in the sand, the thrill of summertime activities is like a breath of fresh air. They’re a great change from the year-round activities most of us do to stay healthy.

We’re blessed to live in a state with so many wonderful bodies of water to explore. From the beaches of the Outer Banks to the lakes of the Piedmont Triad region to the cool rivers of the North Carolina mountains, opportunities for fun in the water are everywhere. And here in Clemmons, the home of Foster Chiropractic, we’re centrally located to all of it.

Be Aware of Summer Sports Hazards

While getting out on the water and other summer activities are great fun, they can also lead to injury. One common thing we see at Foster Chiropractic are injuries from use or overuse of muscles you’re not used to exercising. Holding yourself upright on a pair of waterskiis makes use of muscles in the chest and shoulders that you might not normally use during your regular run or workout. And try as you might to avoid a wipeout, hitting that flat surface of water can lead to whiplash or neck soreness.

Riding the waves in the powerful ocean can also result in neck or back pain. Running on the beach looks like fun in the movies, but in real life you’re doing a physical activity on a surface that’s uneven at best and has changes in consistency from the tides coming and going, making it easy to sprain your ankle.

The list goes on, but you get the point. Using new muscles and participating in activities your body isn’t used to leads to soreness, aches and injuries of all sorts, from muscle soreness to back and neck pain and torn ligaments.

Tips to Improve your Summer Fun Preparedness

One of the best ways to make sure you’re ready to hit the waves or jump in the lake is to schedule a spinal adjustment. Dr. Foster’s expertise in chiropractic care helps your spine function properly, releasing pressure on the nerves that cause irritation and can create long-term problems such as pain, tingling and irritation.

Here are a few other tips to help your stay healthy and pain-free during all your summer sports.

 Wear Proper Gear. Make sure to put on sunscreen and even wear a swim shirt or clothes with SPF to prevent sunburn. Getting blistered up isn’t fun in the short term and can lead to long-term issues such as skin cancer. You also need to gear up for the specific activity you’re planning to do, whether it’s a life jacket or non-slip water shoes for boating, paddle boarding, kayaking and other water activities.

 Stretch Before Playing. It’s easy to forget to stretch your muscles before swimming or playing in the water, because it doesn’t feel like you’re getting ready for a workout. But the fact is, you will be working out, probably muscles and parts of the body you don’t regularly use.

 Strengthen Your Core. A strong core is important for keeping good posture on skiis or paddleboard, and can even be helpful when kayaking or boogie boarding. Make Pilates or other core workouts a part of your routine during the spring and summer to help alleviate pain and soreness that could come with the summer sports.

 Know Your Limits. Water is buoyant, which means it’s easy to stretch your body or in unusual ways or push yourself more than you normally would in a workout on dry land. Make sure to keep that in mind when riding the waves, swimming or playing with your kids in the water.

 Stay hydrated. We’re all used to drinking lots of water in the summer while sweating it out on the golf course or tennis courts, but the same holds true for activities in the water as well. Just because you aren’t sweating doesn’t you don’t need to hydrate.