Full-fledged water play season, 'Red flag' for spinal health
Jul 25, 2024
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Various water play places such as beaches, valleys, and water parks are visited, and caution is needed because spinal diseases may occur due to incorrect posture or excessive activities.
As it is a vacation, people often move to other regions, but driving longer than usual can accumulate fatigue in the spine due to tension.
Since it is important to drive in the right position, the hips are pushed deep into the seat and the distance from the steering wheel is good enough to bend the knee slightly when the brake is pressed to the end. The backrest should be set at about 95 to 100 degrees so that it does not lean back too much, and stretch and rest at a rest area at least once every two hours.
When using a plane or train, it is recommended to get up from your seat and stretch lightly or walk in the hallway while maintaining the correct posture, such as putting your hips deep in the chair and stretching your back. If you have a spinal disease, it is better to use cushions to support your back, and if you watch movies or play games through electronic devices, your posture is blurred, so it is better to adjust to your eye level or refrain from doing so.
Swimming is known as a good exercise for the spine and joints due to buoyancy or buffering, but most of the water games enjoyed during the holiday season are water parks, valleys, and the sea, which can strain spinal health.
In the case of valleys, it can be slippery due to irregular terrain and moss, so make sure to wear non-slip shoes and be extra careful when moving.
In addition, even if the valley water is clear, it often looks different from the actual water depth due to the shade of trees and rocks around it, but if you dive or jump incorrectly, it can be dangerous because of damage to the cervical spine or head.
In the case of water parks and water leisure, instantaneous shocks can be transmitted to the spine due to rapid current or sudden change of direction, but there are no safety equipment other than life jackets, so make sure to warm up your muscles and joints and do not overdo it by familiarizing yourself with safety rules.
Ahn Joon-young, a neurosurgeon at Daedong Hospital's Spine Center, advised, `In summer, many patients fall in a wet place and fall on their hip to come to the compression fracture or visit a neurosurgery clinic due to severe symptoms of existing spinal diseases after playing in the water.' `Playing in the water in the hot summer will be a fun and happy experience, but for your spine health, make sure to follow safety rules and choose activities that suit your physical condition and have a healthy vacation.'
If you have pain in your spine after your vacation, you should take bed rest, and if you have an existing spinal disease or the pain persists for more than three days, you should visit a medical institution to be diagnosed.
If you suspect spinal damage due to a fall accident, you should quickly ask 119 for help and refrain from causing or moving the patient because it can worsen nerve damage.
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bellho@sportschosun.com
