Hiking, cycling, swimming, tennis, golf, kayaking, and jet skiing. The truth is that here’s a host of things that you can do during the summer! But that also means that there’s also many ways that you can get injured.

Keeping summer activities in mind, this article will explore some of the most common injuries that occur during the summer. It will also provide some tips on how to manage these injuries.

Summertime Fun Can Also Mean Injuries

Different sports have different injuries associated with them. For example, if you’re into weight-lifting or resistance training, then you’re probably aware of how easy it is to injure or tear a muscle. Likewise if you walk, hike, or run, you know that it’s easy to slip and fall or to hurt your ankle. 

What all sports or summer activities share, then, is the possibility of injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, a leading health institute in the United States, from their research, nearly 2000,000 Americans die from injury annually. Specifically, the Mayo Clinic’s researchers have found that summertime is the worst time of the year for injuries. They point to “boating, ATVS and motocross” as key culprits in injuries. 

Why Outdoor Activities Can Cause More Injuries

Outdoor activities can cause more injuries because there are more factors involved. Here are some of the most common factors:

• Unknown and uneven terrain: you never know when you’re rock climbing or hiking if the rock will move from under you or if you’ll slip and fall. 
• People and animals: If you like to cycle, run, or enjoy shooting, then you’re aware of how people and animals can appear when you least expect them too. 
• Assuming that you’re safe. While assuming that you’re safe and injury-free can happen in the winter, When it’s snowing or raining, then you might expect more injuries since you may be afraid of slips and falls. In the summer, this fear might be less prominent since the ground seems more stable to you and since you assume that there are less factors to worry about.

Because more people tend to be outside in the summer, these factors tend to play a greater role than in the winter. 

Common Summer Injuries and How to Manage Them

Common summer injuries range from neck pain to spraining your ankle. Here are some key common forms of injuries to look out for.

1. Spinal subluxations

Spinal subluxation is when your spine becomes misaligned. The causes of this type of injury includes: lifting things the wrong way or that are too heavy for you, having improper knowledge of stance and posture while exercising, falling, and minor or major accidents. Usually, spinal subluxation happens due to improper repetitive motions, although they may also occur through other injuries or due to certain conditions. 

Common ways of managing spinal subluxation involve resting, learning the correct posture needed for wellbeing, using ice, and spinal rehabilitation. At the Health and Wellness Clinic, we can help you with the latter, especially since it involves more complex methods. We can also help you with things like posture through our emphasis on patient education and relaxation through the massage therapy that we have. 

2. Muscle strains

Muscle strain can occur from a variety of sources. Sometimes it might be looking down too much (as in the case of someone who works in an office typing) or from running (as in the case of, say, a trail runner). 

Some of the best ways to help with muscle strain include some of the methods used in spinal subluxation: rest, ice, etc. At the Health and Wellness Clinic, we’ll address the cause of the muscle strain while teaching you what to do. We’ll also use various techniques to help you heal. 

3. Back Injuries

People usually take some form of medication to help with back injuries. But medication doesn’t help with chronic back pain. The most common causes of back injuries are osteoporosis, muscle strain, ruptured disks, and arthritis. Before you self-diagnosis, please see a chiropractor who guide you in your journey to wellbeing. 

For tips on how to manage back pain, read this. The best method of treating back injuries is by getting the right medical help. At our Health and Wellness Clinic, we would love to help you in your journey!

4. Neck injuries

The most common cause of neck injuries is repeatedly having your head facing one direction for a long period of time. Think of playing things like badminton or tennis. 

Our Clinic will look for any underlying conditions that might be causing chronic neck pain. This means that we’ll rule out degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves and other conditions. 

Summer Should Be Fun and It Can Be With the Right Chiropractor!

Summer should be fun!!! You should be able to walk, run, hike and do all the amazing things that you have planned. The great thing is that with a well-trained chiropractor, you can do all these things with safety and wellbeing in mind. 

What Makes Us Different From Other Chiropractors

The Health and Wellness Clinic is different from other chiropractors in that we focus on having a well trained team, prioritize holistic health, and encourage our clients to pursue a well-rounded life.

 As we help you manage different injuries or conditions, we also provide you with strategies that you need to learn in order to live a more healthy life. For example, we teach our clients exercises that we know will help them outside of our Clinic so that they, themselves, can have a role in the treatment process. 

Want to learn more about how to manage summertime and other injuries? Contact us! We would love to hear from you. 

“Sit straight!”

“Why do you walk like that?”

If you have scoliosis, then you’re probably aware of the different assumptions people have about posture and being “confident.” But as you know, these assumptions aren’t helpful for treating health conditions like scoliosis. Using the latest information on this condition, as well as our expertise, at the Health and Wellness Clinic, this article will provide a brief overview of what scoliosis is and looks like in adults. It will also provide information on how a chiropractor can help you with this condition. 

Scoliosis is Beyond Poor Posture

According to the Mayo Clinic, a leading organization on health in the United States, scoliosis is a condition in which the spine is curved. This curvature usually happens before the onset of puberty. Scoliosis can range from light to severe cases, with mild cases being the most common. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons estimates that six to nine million Americans have scoliosis. That means that scoliosis is more common than we think. That also means that you’re not alone!

Although the underlying causes of scoliosis are unknown, scoliosis is sometimes associated with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Overall, scoliosis is not a simple case of having a bad posture. Instead, it can sometimes be painful and uncomfortable for the person with this condition.

Signs of Scoliosis in Adults

Signs of scoliosis in adults differ slightly from those in minors. Below is a list of signs of scoliosis to look out for if you’re an adult.

1. You have an unexpected loss of height. This is because the curvature of your spine makes it difficult for you to be fully upright.
2. You have trouble walking and feel pain in your feet. Trouble with walking is often due to the abnormal curvature of your spine which can make it difficult to feel comfortable. 
3. You have an atypical bump in your back. This is usually a physical sign of having scoliosis. 
4. You feel tired. This is due to the abnormal posture caused by this condition.

While this is just a few signs of scoliosis, they are the most common symptoms that you should look out for. 

The Benefits of a Chiropractor in Managing Scoliosis

If you suspect that you may have scoliosis, here are some amazing ways that a chiropractor can help you with this condition.

#1. A chiropractor helps you manage the condition

Surgery is often a last resort to treating scoliosis. A good method to manage this condition, then, is by turning to a chiropractor. Using exercise, stretches, and years of training and experience, a chiropractor would be able to help you understand what you can do to manage scoliosis.

#2. A chiropractor can help with non-invasive methods of managing the condition

Sometimes, getting a back brace and maybe even medications are used for mild cases of scoliosis. In more severe cases, devices that pull the spine so that it’s not curved may be used. This includes using devices like hammocks or pulleys. So, instead of having a more intense and severe procedure, turning to a chiropractor for mild to moderate cases is one way of managing the condition. A chiropractor is non-invasive because you will not need surgery or devices installed. It’s also a more natural and holistic way of managing the condition. 

#3. A chiropractor can help with spinal misalignment

Because scoliosis can cause spinal misalignment, a chiropractor can use natural chiropractic methods to help with posture and spinal alignment. The chiropractor does this chiropractic adjustment. This type of adjustment is when a chiropractor uses a small device or their hands to adjust the spine. It involves some force but is not intense as a surgery. 

#4. A chiropractor can help with pain associated with misalignment 

A misaligned spine can often cause neck, hip, back and shoulder pain. By treating the underlying misalignment, you’ll also feel relieved pressure on these different body parts. That means that if you’re feeling pain in your neck or back, a chiropractic adjustment would be very helpful.

#5. A chiropractor helps you lower your cost while benefiting in many ways

If you have scoliosis, then it might seem like getting surgery is a cost-effective way of coping with your condition. But the reality is that by visiting a chiropractor, you would not only address your scoliosis, but you would also be addressing any other pain associated with this condition. So, that means that you’re avoiding buying medications and other devices that promise to help relieve pain and tension. 

Think Holistic and Live Natural: Why You Should Reach Out To Us

At the Health and Wellness Clinic, our chiropractors can help you with scoliosis and the pain associated with it. We have expert chiropractors trained in exercises, stretches, and methods like chiropractic adjustment. Our chiropractors will help you with this condition so that you no longer have to live with the discomfort and pain associated with scoliosis. 

Reach out to us for a consultation and evaluation. We’re more than happy to see you relieved of pain and living your best life!

Depending on the problem causing your back pain, handling your discomfort might be easier than you think. There are several strategies that can help you to improve the health of your spine and minimize back pain that you may be experiencing. At Health & Wellness Chiropractic, we can help you handle your back pain and limit discomfort. Here are a few tips for handling back pain.

Home Remedies

If you are experiencing significant back pain, it will likely be important to take the steps to relieve your pain. In many situations, back pain is a result of inflammation in various parts of the back. By reducing inflammation, you can help to relieve your back pain. Over the counter pain relief medications can often help you to eliminate back pain. Many of these, such as ibuprofen, can aid in inflammation reduction. Using heat or icing the area can also help to reduce inflammation and discomfort.

Manage your Stress

When you have extremely high levels of stress, you will see a significant increase in tension. This tension adds pressure and can accumulate into injuries and a great deal of discomfort. When you take steps to relieve your stress, you will be better able to minimize tension and protect the health of your back.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment will often enable you to minimize back pain. When you visit a chiropractor, you will be able to identify the underlying problem that is causing your pain and discomfort. Then a strategy will be put in place to help resolve this problem. When you receive the appropriate chiropractic treatment, you will be able to reduce your discomfort and protect the health of your back.

Lift Properly

When you lift, it is important to ensure that you lift with your legs and not with your back. This can help to prevent injuries from occurring. It is also important to ensure that you don’t twist at the same time that you are lifting. This is another action that can result in injuries. When you take the right steps to lift properly, you can help to prevent back pain.

Practice Yoga

Yoga can be a great addition to your regular routine. In fact, there are multiple ways in which taking up yoga can help you to handle back pain. For one thing, yoga is a great way to reduce your stress. It is a mindful practice that helps you learn how to handle your emotions and relieve your stress. Another benefit is that yoga can help you to improve your flexibility. The more flexible you are, the less likely you will be to sustain an injury.

Get Moving

Getting active can help you to prevent problems with your back. Back pain is often the result of a sedentary lifestyle. By exercising more often, you will often be able to ensure that your back remains healthier.

Practice Good Posture

Poor posture places strain on your back. When you focus on practicing good posture throughout the day, you will be better able to prevent injuries and reduce discomfort. This is an important step both when you are standing and when you are sitting.

Chiropractic treatment can provide many benefits for your health. With the right chiropractic care, you can help to handle lower back pain, improve flexibility, and provide many additional benefits. When you work with our team at Health & Wellness Chiropractic, you can often improve your health. For more information about our chiropractic services, contact us at Health & Wellness Chiropractic today!