Sports Season Has Begun, Watch Your Spines!

With the approach of summer, the season for dieting and exercise has also begun. In recent times, in addition to workouts at the gym, home workouts have also started to increase.

Exercising at home using videos and information found online may not be the right choice for everyone. Prof. Dr. Çağatay Öztürk, who states that exercise is an activity that affects not only a person’s physical structure but also their psychology, emphasized that exercising without proper knowledge can damage the spine.

PROHIBITED MOVES

Prof. Dr. Çağatay Öztürk emphasized that movements performed without expert guidance by non-professional athletes and those new to sports can cause serious damage to the spine, and issued warnings about exercising at home. Stating that the spine is an organ that should not rotate and therefore requires great care when exercising, Öztürk said, “”An unconscious movement can have negative consequences for your spine and cause permanent damage. For our patients suffering from chronic back pain and back pain, there are certain positions that we classify as ‘prohibited movements’. In particular, movements that increase intra-abdominal pressure and lifting heavy objects from the ground seriously affect the spine. Performing these movements requires well-developed back and spine muscles,”” he said.

BE CAREFUL WITH AT-HOME PILATES!

Öztürk, who says that Pilates is one of the most popular sports among women, states, “”Pilates is a healthy sport for stretching the body and strengthening the spine. However, we strongly recommend that Pilates be practiced with an expert. This is because maintaining the neutral axis of the spine during movements is of great importance. Performing the movements incorrectly can strain the back, overload it, and consequently cause permanent discomfort. The risk of injury is particularly high in mat Pilates. If your body is not properly conditioned, some of the movements you perform can cause lifelong injuries.””

THE MATERIALS USED ARE IMPORTANT

Prof. Dr. Çağatay Öztürk, who also draws attention to the equipment used for spinal health when doing Pilates at home, said the following about the equipment:

Beginners and those who have taken a long break from exercise should start with very low intensity, frequency, and duration of exercise, gradually increasing these over time. When transitioning to a different exercise, caution should be exercised until accustomed to the new activity. At the beginner level or when returning to exercise after a break, it is very important to support the lower back during lower back and spine strengthening exercises. Care should be taken in the selection of equipment used for these types of exercises. Those with lordosis or scoliosis should be more careful when exercising. In such cases, the thickness of the mat used should be higher. If there are no issues, a thinner mat can be chosen for more efficient results. The area where exercises are performed should be quiet and free from noise to prevent potential injuries during exercise.