Health
Spring Has Sprung
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Spring is here! Odds are most of you have already cut your grass, planted flowers or tilled up some ground for a garden. The question is, “Have you done what you need to do to avoid getting hurt while you’re checking things off your spring time to-do list?”
The fact is working in the yard or around the house is a lot of work. Without a little conditioning, that kind of physical activity can result in any number of injuries. Now, when I say conditioning, I’m not saying you should run out and buy an expensive gym membership or fancy workout equipment. If you want to that’s fine, but it isn’t necessary.
The National Institutes of Health is offering a booklet that is filled with things you can do easily at home to get fit and lower your risk of injuries while doing physical activity around the house. You could call it a do-it-yourself training program for getting healthy and staying that way. The 8 page booklet is titled "The World Around You: Use What You Have to Stay Healthy and Fit." It offers real-life ideas ranging from what you can do to get physically active without hurting yourself to tips on what to eat to stay healthy.
Central Physical Therapy’s own Certified Athletic Trainer, Erik Strahan DPT offers this advice. He says, “When it comes to getting active, try finding someone to pair up with. For instance, something as simple as walking with a friend increases the odds of you sticking with it. Being with someone you like makes any activity more enjoyable. An exercise partner also helps keep you accountable.”
As always, before you start any round of rigorous activity, check with your doctor to make sure you’re up to the task. With direct access, you can have a Physical Therapist like Central PT’s Erik Strahan give you a top to bottom evaluation too. If there’s a problem that needs medical attention or PT care, it’s best to catch it before you launch into a strenuous spring time routine. Erik may even recommend a conditioning program geared to your specific activity.
For more information on what you can do on your own to guard against spring time injuries, go to the web address below to download the free booklet, “The World Around You: Use What You Have to Stay Healthy and Fit.” http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/way.htm Have a great week everybody!
Phil Rainier is not a doctor, nor is the information in his column intended as medical advice. Phil can be reached at Central Physical Therapy where he is Director of Marketing and Communications. The number to call is 261-7094. Phil’s e-mail address is [email protected]
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