Summer in Vancouver, WA means longer days, yard work, trips out to Lacamas Lake or the Columbia River, and a lot more time on your feet. It also means we see a lot more back and neck pain walking through the door here at Forgey Chiropractic. If you’ve been feeling stiff or sore since the weather turned warm, you’re not alone, and it’s very treatable.
Why Summer Beats Up Your Back
Most of it comes down to using your body in ways it isn’t used to the rest of the year. Mowing the lawn, digging in flower beds, and hauling bags of mulch all put strain on your lower back. A round of golf or a few sets of tennis means twisting your spine over and over. Long drives out to the coast or up toward Mt. St. Helens leave your neck and low back stiff from sitting still too long. Even a day at the lake can pull at your neck if you’re swimming laps or floating around with your head craned up.
How We Treat Back and Neck Pain
At our office on East 22nd Street, treating back and neck pain starts with figuring out what’s actually causing it. Sometimes it’s a joint that isn’t moving the way it should. Other times it’s an inflamed muscle, or a nerve that’s irritated somewhere along the spine. Once we know what we’re dealing with, treatment usually means a hands-on adjustment, plus whatever mix of massage and stretching will help you recover fastest. Dr. Bryan, Dr. Nisreen, and Dr. Rae all work out of our Vancouver office, so between chiropractic care, massage, and rehab, most patients notice a difference after just a visit or two.
A Few Things That Help
Take breaks during yard work and lift with your knees, not your back. Stretch a little before golf or tennis. On road trips, stop every hour or so to get out and move around. And if you’re spending the day at the lake, try to keep your neck in a neutral position instead of straining to look forward while you swim.
Don’t Wait It Out
If soreness sticks around for more than a day or two, it’s worth getting looked at. We offer same-day appointments, so a sore back doesn’t have to sideline your whole summer. Call us at 360-573-5500 or stop by our Vancouver office on East 22nd Street. We’d love to help you get back outside.
