The advice of the experts of the Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), of the University of Pavia to enjoy the holidays
The desire for vacation and movement leads us unknowingly to put our back at risk, due to a sudden "desire for sport" after months at the desk. What if the back hurts? Here are the expert tips to avoid nasty surprises, valid for everyone and especially for those who already suffer from low back pain.
Finally summer and with the arrival of the holidays the desire to recover the time lost during the year grows, between a sedentary lifestyle and incorrect postures that have put a strain on our body.
Some risk situations, typically summer, can cause ailments and pains in our back, ruining our holidays and perhaps requiring medical examinations upon our return home. In this case it will be possible to opt for non-invasive diagnostic tools that exploit 3D technology.
What to do? First of all, to prevent wrong behaviors: here are some tips from the experts of the Adapted Motor Activity Laboratory (LAMA), of the University of Pavia on WHAT NOT TO DO to avoid the onset of an annoying back pain on vacation:
- Do not improvise sports: the classic "jog" to get back in shape, the fashion of padel tournaments, five-a-side football or water sports, which in the summer conquer us for a carefree afternoon with friends, can prove to be insidious if faced without adequate training. You need to be careful with footwear, sudden jerks and excessive rhythms. A little warm-up first and then some stretching will be essential for proper physical activity and in case of breathlessness it is important to immediately slow down the pace, breathe regularly and always hydrate.
- Air conditioning: pay attention to the bursts of air that maybe catch us hot after an afternoon outdoors and cause us an annoying malaise. If you prefer to sleep with the AC on, be sure to keep your back covered - a sheet is enough.
- Even long journeys by plane, motorbike or train without moving to stretch and do some stretching are a risk to your back. It only takes a few steps to relieve tension and reactivate circulation. When you need to lift heavy luggage, remember to flex your knees and slightly squeeze your abs and buttocks.
- Inadequate footwear: from heels for the night at the disco, to flip-flops for long walks, to sneakers for hiking on uneven ground, unsuitable shoes represent a danger not only for the joints, but also for the injuries they can cause.
- Poorly performing beds: the deckchair on the beach or the sleeping bag on the campsite can create real torments in the back. Changing pillows and mattresses in a hotel can be stressful. Better to sleep on your side and avoid staying in bed for long periods.
- At the beach: sunbathing is certainly healthy, it helps to fix vitamin D, which is useful for the bones and stimulates the immune system. The best times are early in the morning and late in the day. If you have been exposed to the sun for a long time, avoid jumping suddenly into the water, the thermal shock could be harmful. Better not to lie down for hours on sun loungers and deck chairs, a walk on the shoreline is an excellent alternative. Even water activities require some attention: swimming breaststroke is not recommended for those suffering from low back pain and in general it is better to prefer freestyle or backstroke.
- Camping provide a light mat to even out the bottom.
- Heavy backpacks during the excursions they can create disturbance so it is advisable to make a rational choice of the weight to be carried.
There are therefore many situations that can bring us contractures or inflammations that will ruin our long-awaited holidays and that could leave aftereffects even later.
If the problem persists, it will be necessary to verify the causes of our back pain with an assessment of the morphology of the spine to intervene effectively.
Today, according to the experts of the Adapted Motor Activity Laboratory (LAMA), of the University of Pavia, it is now possible to undergo completely harmless diagnostic techniques of the latest generation, based on innovative 3D technology, for an accurate assessment of the spinal column.
Innovative tools such as Spine3D are very useful for first investigation or follow-up examinations because they are less invasive than a traditional radiological examination. The images provided allow you to view all the parameters necessary to make a careful analysis of the postural situation and provide fundamental information to plan the most suitable treatments.
So enjoy the summer and your well-deserved holidays, but don't forget your back!