Summer Activities That’ll Make Your Spine Smile

Low-Impact Summer Activities

With the warmer weather upon us, aches and pains are an unfortunate reality for many. However, plenty of summer activities can help counteract this discomfort and help to support your spinal health.

Swimming

Swimming is an excellent form of low-impact activity that helps to build up supporting muscles without adding additional pressure being placed on the neck and back. When you’re submerged in water, the buoyancy of the water helps to support your weight, allowing you to move your body more freely without stress on your joints.

Some excellent strokes to support your spinal health to try while in the pool include:

• Butterfly stroke
• Breaststroke
• Freestyle backstroke

Yoga

Yoga and dynamic stretching are more great activities that can help to support your spinal health and wellness. By introducing this activity to your fitness routine, you can build up your supportive core muscles and support increased flexibility and range of motion for your back.

Some excellent yoga poses for you to try include:

• Cat-cow
• Downward-facing dog
• Cobra pose
• Lotus pose
• Bridge pose
• Child’s pose

However, keep in mind that you should consult your spinal care team to see if yoga is appropriate for your condition before introducing it into your routine.

Nature Walks & Hiking

Taking long walks and going on hikes can also help to support your spinal health. When walking, you are able to engage your core and other muscles that help to support your neck and back.

Try starting out with shorter 15-minute walks and gradually increase the duration and difficulty of the trails you take to see additional benefits over time.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, the discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance—it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.