And How To Sit Through Your Grandkids Sporting Events.
Sitting in the bleachers during the summer season to watch your favorite little league, football, or soccer team play can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the strain on your back will be anything but fun. Here are just a few summer sitting safety tips to ensure you won’t miss a single home run, touchdown, or penalty kick!
Optimize Your Seating Arrangement.
For stadiums with metal or wood bleachers, bring a folding bleacher seat that has a hard backing attached to it. The firm surface will promote proper posture. It will also help prevent you from leaning forward and rounding your back, alleviating strain on the back.
When there aren’t bleachers to sit on, avoid using slouchy 4-post canvas collapsible chairs. Although the ease of portability is appealing, these chairs often lack adequate support. They often sag in the seat area, causing your tailbone to curve while sitting, which can lead to pain. Instead, invest in a sturdy folding chair that has a rigid structure.
Get Up And Move.
You should be standing up every 15-20 minutes to move around and stretch. This will take some strain off of your lumbar spine and help combat fatigue, stiff muscles, and weight gain.
Set a timer for yourself and take a stroll around the field. Alternate sitting and standing while talking and waiting for food to be ready. Incorporate movement into your outing in ways that work for you. The main goal is to avoid staying sedentary for long periods of time.
Wear Proper Footwear.
Although you may be sitting quite a bit during the game, you’d be surprised by the amount of time you actually spend on your feet. From walking to the field to climbing stadium bleachers, and everything in between, it’s crucial to have shoes that support your arches and stabilize your heels.
This is especially important when dealing with uneven terrain or inclement weather conditions, like rain, that can make walking more challenging. (Click here for additional information on how footwear can cause back pain.)
If you are interested in learning more information about preventing back pain or would like to schedule an appointment to get back to enjoying the things you love, call us now at (586) 884- 4565!
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