SEATTLE — Summer sports and outdoor activities are in full swing, and remembering to take care of your joints while you’re having fun can help prevent injury.
“Especially this time of year when we haven’t been active over the course of the winter, almost anything can be dangerous,” said Dr. Venu Nemani, spine surgeon, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
High intensity, repetitive and high impact activities, like running, basketball, tennis and water sports, can be particularly hard on your joints. Even something like gardening can cause issues, though, if you aren’t regularly active.
“It’s important to be active throughout the week a little bit to avoid those weekend injuries,” Dr. Nemani said.
Lower impact activities that promote flexibility and strength, especially in the water, can be beneficial to joints. These include swimming, water aerobics and walking.
“Moderation is key,” said Dr. Philip Louie, spine surgeon, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. “You want to be consistent. You don’t want to do too much.”
Dr. Nemani says a proper warmup is essential to protecting your joints. A warmup loosens up and lubricates joints, muscles and tendons, so you’re less likely to suffer an injury. It’s also key to make sure you have the proper clothing and equipment.
Soreness after activities, especially when starting out, can be normal. If your pain persists after a week or two or gets worse, it’s time to reach out to your primary care provider to get checked. That is the first step in getting your pain evaluated.
“Just because you have pain in your knee or your hip or your elbow or your shoulder, it could be distracting, and something else may be going on as well,” Dr. Louie said. “It’s just nice to get a full check-up.”
An upcoming outdoor activity in the Pacific Northwest is the Boeing Classic August 5-11 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the Seattle Seahawks founded the Boeing Classic in 2005, and it’s a regular stop on the PGA Champions tour.
“It’s a really fantastic tournament and event, and we’re really excited to have it back here in the Seattle area,” Dr. Nemani said.
The beneficiary of the tournament is the Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, a world leader in human immunology. For more information or tickets, visit boeingclassic.com.
To learn more about joint health and protecting yourself, visit the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health website.
Sponsored by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.