REHAB SERVICES Q: What can I do to prevent back pain this ice fishing season? Kent Johnson, DPT A: I's now the middle of December and we all know what that means in the North, the hard-water ice season is here. What that also means is terrible seated posture while sitting on hard folding chairs and buckets for hours on end with sore necks and backs by the end of the weekend. Do yourself a favor this year and take a few steps to help reduce the likelihood of lingering pain and soreness all winter. One of the first means of prevention is conditioning. Improve your endurance by increasing your walking/jogging routine and strengthen your core with a series of abdominal, back, and hip strengthening exercises prior to and during the season. Next, when possible, try to stand up for at least 10-15 minutes out of every hour rather than sitting for an entire day. Ice fishermen: put those flasher units and cameras on top of a 5 gallon pail rather than staring down at the ice constantly. Finally, at the end of the day do some light stretching and use heat/ice to help reduce muscle soreness and prevent it from progressively worsening. Good Luck. Sanford Bemidji Rehab Services " | 1300 Anne Street NW Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-5898 www.bemidji.sanfordhealth.org SANFORD TM Bemidji REHAB SERVICES Q: What can I do to prevent back pain this ice fishing season? Kent Johnson, DPT A: I's now the middle of December and we all know what that means in the North, the hard-water ice season is here. What that also means is terrible seated posture while sitting on hard folding chairs and buckets for hours on end with sore necks and backs by the end of the weekend. Do yourself a favor this year and take a few steps to help reduce the likelihood of lingering pain and soreness all winter. One of the first means of prevention is conditioning. Improve your endurance by increasing your walking/jogging routine and strengthen your core with a series of abdominal, back, and hip strengthening exercises prior to and during the season. Next, when possible, try to stand up for at least 10-15 minutes out of every hour rather than sitting for an entire day. Ice fishermen: put those flasher units and cameras on top of a 5 gallon pail rather than staring down at the ice constantly. Finally, at the end of the day do some light stretching and use heat/ice to help reduce muscle soreness and prevent it from progressively worsening. Good Luck. Sanford Bemidji Rehab Services " | 1300 Anne Street NW Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-5898 www.bemidji.sanfordhealth.org SANFORD TM Bemidji