Winter Cold and Inactivity Equal Bad News for Your Back

You have every intention of keeping up your weekly physical activities throughout the winter months, but after the first freeze you find yourself cuddled up with a blanket in front of the fire. Sound familiar? While taking a couple of breaks for rest and relaxation is healthy, completely forgoing your physical activities during the cold winter can wreak havoc on your body, especially your back.

Inactivity causes your back and stomach muscles to become weak, affecting your posture and in turn compromising your back's health, which can lead to pain. But physical activity during the winter can be easy if you take extra steps to fit in exercise during the day:

· Just say no to valet parking this winter! Better yet, pass up that perfect spot at the mall and park further away to walk the extra distance.

· Skip the elevator and take the stairs.

· Try not to sit still, even if you are watching television, keep your heart rate up by jogging in place, jumping rope or doing jumping jacks.

Hibernating during winter months can make an exercise routine even more difficult to maintain when it’s warmer. Whether you choose to exercise indoors or outdoors during the cold season, remain active.

“It is important to stay safe while exercising and winter temperatures can add some new rules,” said Sharon J. Gibbs, M.D. with Texas Back Institute. “Even though it’s cold, make sure you stay hydrated. A lot of people forget how physical they are getting when they aren’t sweating.”

If exercising outside during winter months:

· Insulate by dressing in layers. This provides the most effective heating method and also allows you to remove a few layers as your body heats up.

· Monitor your heart rate. Even if you don’t sweat, you’re probably still getting a good workout. Monitoring your heart rate during exercise allows you to see how hard your body is working.

· Wear reflective gear. The days are shorter, so exercising at night might be a necessity, make sure you are seen if you are outdoors in the dark.

Texas Back Institute, Plano, Texas: As one of the nation's largest spine clinics, the Texas Back Institute is the expert in solutions for back pain. Founded in 1978, the Texas Back Institute has always recommended non-surgical treatments because we know they work best to relieve pain in most patients. The professional staff includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons with spine fellowship training, general surgeons, general medicine physicians, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. From non-operative spine care to surgery, the Texas Back Institute offers chiropractic care, diagnostic procedures, fitness services, pain management, patient education, physical therapy, research and return-to-work programs including work conditioning and work hardening. To learn more about the Texas Back Institute and to obtain free updates and helpful back tips, go to www.texasback.com or call 1-800-247-BACK. Texas Back Institute's with offices in Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Midland, Plano, TX and Phoenix, AZ. For additional information, visit the Texas Back Institute website at www.texasback.com

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

Consumer phone number: 1-800-247-BACK