Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
Warmer weather and clear skies bring more chances to get outside and increase your physical activity. After being cooped up for the winter, it can be easy to overdo it the first few times you get out of the house. These tips can help you prevent injury and get you ready for an active summer!
- Apply heat before a workout session. Using a commercial heat wrap on areas that regularly experience pain during a workout is a great preventative measure to minimize the chance of muscle strain. You can also use heat after your workout to calm muscles and prevent cramping.
- Stretch, stretch, stretch. It doesn’t matter if you’re training for a marathon or taking your dog out for a walk, carefully stretching before and after a workout is always beneficial. Focus on the big muscles first–quadriceps and hamstrings–because you can’t really move without them. They also play a key role in supporting your back. Then slowly stretch the rest of your body.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. The days are growing longer and it can be hard to adjust to daylight savings time. Sleep deprivation and insomnia can often lead to injury since a tired body is a weakened body. Create a sleep routine that you can stick to and try to limit your caffeine in-take during the day.
Dr. Leipzig and the staff at Virginia Spine Care hope this information will help you stay active and pain-free this spring. If you require the attention of a spine specialist, please call Dr. Leipzig at 540-725-9771 or ask your physician for a referral to Virginia Spine Care.
