Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

The cold months in Minnesota can leave you wanting to curl up with a blanket next to a roaring fire until the spring thaw, but being less active because of the cold, dark Minnesota winter can cause problems for your spine. On the flip side, if you embrace the cold and partake in seasonal activities like skiing, sledding or ice skating, one slip can send you to the emergency room with a spine injury. So in today’s blog, we share some tips for caring for your spine and preventing injuries during the winter.

Preventing Spine Problems From Winter Inactivity

We’ve grown to accept the snow and ice during the winter months in Minnesota, but the cold weather also tends to keep us indoors for the season. A lot of people exercise outside in the summer and then head to the gym during the winter, but with COVID-19 affecting indoor gatherings, it’s very possible that you can’t get to the gym as easily this winter. That doesn’t mean you should just wait until spring rolls around to continue your exercise routine, because all this inactivity can lead to a number of different spinal issues.

In order to prevent inactivity from causing spinal problems this winter, it’s important that you really work hard to develop a workout routine that you can do regardless of the weather or your access to a gym. There are so many online routines or home-based workouts that can be performed from the comfort of your living room that it really shouldn’t be too hard to find a routine that works for you.

For others, investing in exercise equipment for their home can provide the exercise outlet they need. Whether that’s an exercise ball, a treadmill or an elliptical, consider investing in your spine health by adding exercise equipment to your home. These tend to be more expensive in January because businesses know people have set New Year’s resolutions to be healthier, but consider looking on Facebook Marketplace or a local buy/sell board. Oftentimes you can get gently used exercise equipment at a steep discount, as long as you’re willing to pick it up and set it up yourself. Really make it a point to develop an exercise routine this winter that you can perform from the comfort of your home.

Preventing Spine Problems From Winter Activity

The Minnesota winters aren’t all doom and gloom. In fact, it allows us to partake in some seasonal activities not available in other parts of the US during the winter. Skating on a frozen pond or sledding at a nearby hill just isn’t something that you can do in the south during the winter. However, these activities oftentimes involve going fast on hard, slippery surfaces, and one fall can lead to extreme back pain.

There is no one way to prevent all spine injuries during winter recreational activities, but there are some tips to keep in mind to help reduce your risk of an injury. Tips to keep in mind include:

• Stretch before activity
• Wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear
• Stay within your limits and your skill
• Be aware of your surroundings and other people

So whether you’re snowmobiling through the trails or playing pond hockey with your friends, stay within your limits and avoid risky moves so you don’t end up with a traumatic spine injury. And if you do end up hurting your spine, be sure to have the injury diagnosed and treated by a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi. For questions or help with your back pain, reach out to his office today at (651) 430-3800.

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