The snow is starting to melt and the temperatures are starting to rise. The arrival of spring means folks are shedding winter gear and heading outside to take advantage of warmer weather. The arrival of spring also usually means more injuries for “weekend warriors.” Weekend warriors are loosely defined are sedentary folks during the week who go all out with physical activity on the weekends.
With the recent “polar vortex” and multiple storms that have pounded the Midwest and East Coast, winter weather related falls and injuries are definitely a concern. Unstable surfaces from ice and snow are unavoidable winter hazards. Ankle sprains, twisted knees and back injuries are incredibly common during the cold months.
How do you know when your injury is serious and requires a visit to a physical therapist? When faced with the onset of any ache or pain, most people take a few days off from the rigorous activity that brought on the injury. Patients are advised to think of the RICE formula that stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation to speed up healing.
