Winter: Navigating Ice & Snow
- Snow Sport & Spine Team
- Nov 16, 2023
- 1 min read
Winter is almost on our doorstep! Time to prep your body for seasonal activities and prevent injuries.
What’s ahead…
Skiing/Snowboarding
Sledding
Snowmobiling
Ice skating
Hockey
Shoveling/Snow blowing
Lugging Christmas bags
Cutting down trees
Decorating house in/out
Carrying heavy totes
Winter driving
Navigating icy paths
Hazards…
Slips and falls on ice/snow
Injuries to:
Backs
Neck/Shoulders
Joints
Spine
Legs/Knees
Head Injuries
Repetitive twisting/lifting
Tendonitis
Sore muscles
Doing too much, too fast
Preventions…
Getting help early
Balance exercises
Body mechanics
Stretching
Muscle strengthening
Good posture
Core alignment
Reinforcing limits
Warm-ups
Taking breaks
Enjoying winter safely
Remember…
Physical therapy sessions during the winter can help by correcting poor movement patterns to prevent ongoing problems, strengthen muscles to improve conditioning and posture, reduce strain on joints, gain flexibility and balance. It can improve athletic output, identify muscle imbalances that could predispose you to injury, and allow development of prevention techniques. Treatment can decrease pain, reduce inflammation, restore function, reduce the risk of future injury, and advance your post-injury outcomes. It is a better alternative to more invasive treatments, such as surgery, injections, or medication.
Be ready to enjoy winter to its fullest by seeking physical therapy before the season begins and later should injuries happen.
