Tips For Keeping Chronic Pain At Bay During The Summer

July 15, 2021 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Summer in Minnesota can be a wonderful time to be outdoors and enjoy some of the trails and waterways that the state has to offer, but that’s easier said than done if you suffer from a chronic pain condition. Sometimes chronic pain can be unpredictable, but you can work to limit flareups and bad days if you are smart about how you approach your condition during the summer. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some tips for helping to keep your chronic pain condition at bay during the summer months.

Preventing Chronic Pain In The Summer

Here’s a list of things you should keep in mind this summer to help limit chronic pain’s hold over you.

1. Make Water Your Friend – As we explained in a previous blog, you can help to keep chronic pain at bay by making water your friend this summer. Taking your exercise routine to the pool or lake can help keep you from overheating, and water’s natural resistance can make for a great place to do some exercise routines. Drinking plenty of water will also help you stay hydrated and avoid muscle cramping and other heat-related health issues.

2. Mind Your Diet – Summer may provide more opportunities to eat on the go or at a backyard barbecue, but it’s important not to let your diet contribute to your chronic pain condition. Poor dietary choices can increase inflammation in your body, which can worsen chronic pain symptoms. Instead of eating a lot of red meat or unhealthy options at a barbecue this summer, use the improved weather to help make it easier to get a range of healthy vitamins and nutrients. Pick your own fruits and veggies at a local farm, or head to the farmer’s market and pick up some nutrious options that will help to calm inflammation.

3. Carve Out Time For Exercise/PT – We know that summer can get busy, but that doesn’t mean you should skip regular exercise or your daily physical therapy routine. You need to make time for these exercises if you truly want to gain some control over your chronic pain condition. Even though life can get a little more hectic during the summer, make sure you make time to do your therapy exercises.

4. Healthy Sleep Patterns – We tend to be out a little later when the nights get longer, and that can throw off our bedtime routine. It’s fine to stay out late once in a while, but strive to develop a healthy sleeping routine this summer. Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, and eliminate distractions like cell phones and televisions from your room to help create an ideal sleep environment.

5. Dress The Part – Finally, keep an eye on the weather report and dress appropriately. Breathable clothes and sunhats can help prevent overheating on hot days, and keeping an extra jacket in the car can keep you warm if it gets cooler sooner than you expected. Making sure your body is at a comfortable temperature can help keep chronic pain flareups at bay.

If you do these five things, we’re confident that you’ll be able to take control of your chronic pain condition this summer. For more information or for help with any aspect of your pain issue, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Preventing Back Pain During Summer Projects

May 23, 2019 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer is almost here, and that means many Minnesotans will soon be outside doing yard work and other physical activities. Staying active in the summer can help us cross items off our to-do list, but it can also lead to an uptick of back injuries. Below, we share some tips for helping to prevent back injuries during spring and summer projects.

Protecting Your Back This Summer

Here are some tips to keep in mind to help protect your back and prevent spine injuries during the warm summer months.

1. Bending and Twisting With Yard Work – The summer time means it’s yard work season, and that can take a physical toll on your body. Use tandem lifts when moving heavy equipment, use knee pads if you’re going to be on the ground planting the garden or pulling weeds, and don’t be afraid to break up the yard work over the course of a couple days. Overstressing your back is one of the easiest ways to injure it.

2. Ladder and Height Safety – If you need to get up on a ladder to clean the gutters, make sure the ladder is stabilized properly or you have someone to secure it. Every year we see patients who have hurt their spines because of a fall from a height, so be smart about getting up on the ladder this summer. For even greater heights, use safety harnesses.

3. Hydrate – Spinal muscle injuries and spasms are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, so if you’re going to be working out in the sun for a while, be sure that you bring water and stay hydrated.

4. Stretch – Before diving into any projects, even if it’s just mowing the lawn or trimming the hedges, take a couple minutes to stretch. Stretching will help your spinal muscles prepare for the physical activity that lies ahead, which can help prevent sprains and strains.

5. Rest – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you shouldn’t expect to get all of your home projects done in a day. Take your time and listen to your body. If something starts to hurt, take a break. If it continues to hurt, set up a consultation with a spine specialist.

6. Stop Small Pains – Finally, don’t try to push through pain in order to get your project done. It’s better to see a pain specialist and treat your bulging disc instead of trying to push through the pain and suffering a full blown disc herniation. Stop lesser injuries before they snowball by proactively treating them.

For more tips on how to protect your back this summer, or to talk with a pain specialist about discomfort you’re having, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Chronic Pain and the Summer Heat

May 29, 2018 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Although summer doesn’t officially start for a few more weeks, the temperatures have certainly been feeling like it’s mid-July of late. Summer can be a great time to spend outdoors with friends and family, but it can also present unique challenges for individuals with chronic pain.

Below, we take a closer look at how you can make it through the warm summer months with your chronic pain under control.

Summer and Chronic Pain

Keep these tips in mind to keep chronic pain flareups at bay this summer.

1. Beat the Heat – Try to find shade or other ways to keep cool this summer. Warmer temperatures can lead to an expansion of blood vessels and swelling of our hands and fingers, which can contribute to pain if you’re also dealing with joint inflammation. Whether it involves swimming in the lake or heading to eat in an air conditioned restaurant, find ways to break up long stretches in the summer heat.

2. Sleeping Situation – Warmer temps can also make it harder for people to fall asleep and stay asleep, and you know how problematic this can be if you have chronic pain. Strive to make the bedroom an ideal habitat for sleeping. Turn off devices like the television or iPad, try to go to bed at a regular time, and keep the room cooler if possible, either with air conditioning or a box fan. This will help you achieve long periods of restful sleep.

3. Avoid Overdoing It – Don’t bite off more than you can chew when it comes to summer activities. If you overdo it one day, you’re going to be paying for it for the next couple of days. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to say “no” when it comes to making plans or partaking in certain activities. You know your body best, so avoid overdoing it when possible.

4. Hydration – Another thing to keep in mind this summer is to make sure you’re getting plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps joints and blood vessels work optimally, which can help keep you pain free or headache free. Plan ahead so you’re never without a hydration source if you’re going to be out in the sun for a while.

5. Talk With A Specialist – Finally, it’s a good idea to set up a consultation with a pain specialist. They’ll be able to talk about individual challenges that you may face this season and how best to prevent pain from becoming a problem. Whether you need another round of pain injections or want to tweak some therapy exercises, it’s a good idea to circle back with your pain care provider before the summer season gets into full swing.

For more information, or to talk to Dr. Cohn about any issues you may be having, reach out to his clinic today.