Spring is finally here! If you're like me, now that winter is over you are ready to get outside and enjoy all the activities that metro Atlanta has to offer. As a physician I know that many people can experience back or neck pain when they begin to get active again. In this week's blog, I am going to share a few tips with you to help you decrease the risk of neck and back pain as you get back into your favorite outdoor activities.

Start Off Slow

With the cold weather, you may not have been as active as you normally would be during the winter months. One of the best reminders I have to offer is to get back into your favorite activity slowly. Before you get out there again, it's a good idea to do some less strenuous exercise to allow your body to slowly get back into its top shape. For example, if you are ready to go hiking on one of the many great Georgia trails, start out by taking a few walks to build up to that big hike. If cycling is your thing, try riding a stationary bike before you hit the roadways.

Stretch before Any Physical Activity

Whether you play baseball or another sport, a regimen of stretches can help loosen up the muscles before you do physical activities. Without stretching, you're much more likely to sustain a sprain or strain to muscles, ligaments, or tendons which might cause you to sit out of your favorite sport this season. Here are some easy neck and low back stretches to try before you start your activity.

Listen to Your Body

Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. If you feel pain in your neck or low back while you are working out, playing sports or enjoying your favorite outdoor activity, stop the activity. If the pain does not go away with a few days of rest and over-the-counter remedies, please consider seeing a physician. The physicians at Resurgens Spine Center are here to help relieve your pain and get you back to enjoying all your favorite outdoor activities.

I hope these tips help you enjoy all the Spring activities that metro Atlanta has to offer while decreasing your risk of neck and back pain.