Common Spring Injuries: Causes & Prevention

The winter is finally behind us. Spring means warmer weather, chirping birds, and unfortunately, injuries. Although we encourage being active in the spring, it's important to be mindful of common spring injuries and make an effort to prevent them. So what are the most common spring injuries? Keep reading to find out.

Walking and Running

You may walk and run far more in the spring than the winter. This is particularly true if you prefer to exercise outside. When you start to walk or run outside in the spring, take things slowly. Realize that your body needs time to adjust and may have difficulty adapting to the wind and terrain at first. Once you've walked or ran for a few weeks, you can pick up the pace and increase the intensity.

Also, wear running shoes that fit you properly and offer good support. By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of injuries like runner's knee, piriformis syndrome, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures.

Gardening

When you think of gardening, you may picture yourself relaxing outside while growing your favorite plants and produce. The reality, however, is that gardening can be risky and raise your risk of injury, especially if you ignore proper safety precautions. Here's why: Every time you dig, rake, or weed, you're engaging in repetitive movements and can face some severe back pain and posture issues.

To lower your chances of gardening injuries, dress in protective clothing, wear gloves, and refrain from sitting on your knees. In addition, don't be afraid to break every once in a while. There's no reason to "push yourself" and risk injury just so you can complete your gardening tasks faster. Your health and safety should be your top priority.

Sports

There are a variety of sports you may play once the spring season hits. Golf, baseball, and tennis are a few examples of spring sports that often lead to spring injuries. These sports involve repeatedly moving your shoulders, elbows, and arms. They may cause overuse injuries like wrist fractures, shoulder dislocations, muscle strains, and ankle sprains. To prevent them, stretch and warm up before games and practices, wear proper shoes, use the correct technique, and rest your muscles as much as possible.

Fortunately, most spring injuries can be treated with conservative measures like rest, medication and physical therapy. In some cases, however, surgery may be required. The good news is surgical intervention is almost always effective.