Camping is one of the most enjoyable things you can do with your family this summer. However, when you are camping with back problems, your trip may not be as enjoyable. Physically, camping becomes more challenging as we age. So before heading out to the campsite, check out our tips for preventing back pain and body aches while camping.
Back Pain and Body Aches - What You Can Do
A higher level of outdoor activity increases the chance of injury and muscle soreness. However, there are a few simple ways to alleviate back pain and body aches when you get to the campground:
1. Be sure to practice proper lifting. One of the most common injuries that people suffer when lifting their equipment is back pain, so make sure you lift with your legs and not your back.
2. Don't dive right into the activities. Some individuals get hurt from outside activities that haven't been done in a while; things like hiking, swimming, and running are good for the body, but it's not good to dive right in. Instead, it would be best if you took the time to increase the time spent every day on these activities slowly. Doing so can significantly reduce your body aches and injury risks.
3. Get a comfortable night's sleep. Sleeping on the ground during the night can cause back pain. If you are camping with back problems and want to avoid further back pain, it may be necessary to purchase an air mattress that will fit inside your tent. Suppose an air mattress is not doable. Bring some pillows and wedges with you that will provide support. Because back pain occurs when your spine drifts out of alignment as you sleep, you can align the pillows down your body in a way that will provide you with the most support possible.
Chiropractic Can Benefit Camping With Back Problems
We're passionate about keeping your body healthy at Bird Chiropractic. We can adjust you before your camping trip, so you have more fun and fewer body aches. Having your spine aligned before you leave can provide relief before you experience pain. Once you've returned from your camping trip, you can revisit us so we can realign your spine from any misalignment that may happen. Meanwhile, while you're there in the moment, make sure you drink water (as this improves spinal health), exercise (as this improves blood flow), and do lower back and leg stretching throughout the day (this relieves pressure and pain throughout the day). Contact us today for more tips on preventing back pain and body aches while camping with back problems.
