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Get Your Body Ready for Spring by Following These Conditioning Tips from the Association of NJ Chiropractors

Can’t wait to get out to the house after a winter of hibernation? Before you start cleaning out the flower beds, hitting the bike trails or lacing on the running shoes, make sure you prepare your body properly for spring conditioning.

The Association of NJ Chiropractors (ANJC), which features over 1900 members statewide, has developed a list of 10 tips that individuals can best prepare for spring activities.

Backaches and other muscle strains are commonplace at this time of the year as individuals place stress and strain on their bodies after a winter of inactivity. Many of the injuries occurring at this time are due to individuals trying to do too much too soon.

To properly condition oneself for spring yard work, gardening and leisure activities, the ANJC recommends the following tips:

10 Tips for “Spring Conditioning”

1. Don't over-do things in the beginning; warm-up with jumping jacks or a slow jog for sports activities.
2. Stretch after the light-jog/jumping jacks; stretch all the muscles used in an activity (not just the legs).
3. If you are working in the garden, bend with your knees and not your back, and use your arms and legs while working. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists are all major muscle groups affected when using your green thumb.
4. A warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for any other physical activity. Performing simple stretches during these periods will help alleviate injuries, pain and stiffness.
5. Before stretching for any activity, breathe in and out, slowly and rhythmically; do not bounce or jerk your body, and stretch as far and as comfortably as you can. Do not follow the no pain, no gain rule. Stretching should not be painful
6. Consider using more ergonomically designed tools.
7. Always incorporate breaks while you do your task. To avoid injuries, stop the activity when fatigue starts to set-in.
8. Whether or not you feel pain, apply ice to any joint that typically is sore after activity.
9. Have a plan of action if an injury is experienced.
10. Know your limits and have fun whatever the activity.

If you continue to feel soreness, pain or strain after following these tips, it may be time to visit a chiropractor. For more information on chiropractic care, or for a list of doctors of chiropractic near your home or place of work, visit ANJC's public information website at www.njchiropractors.com. You can search for a member by town or zip.

About the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors

ANJC is one of the largest associations of chiropractors in the nation, with 1900 members, statewide. ANJC’s mission is to educate its members on the latest technology and advancements in the profession and to become a trusted, relied upon information resource to the public regarding the benefits of chiropractic care. For more information or to locate an ANJC member doctor by town or zip code, please visit ANJC’s public information website at www.njchiropractors.com or call (908) 722–5678.