Hunter safety in North Idaho
Dr. Amy Spoelstra | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 2 months AGO
For many here in North Idaho, the fall season is synonymous with hunting and the season is in full swing. The elk have bugled, the deer are out and about, a lucky few draw tags for moose, and there are many more wild game no matter your preference. Now, you might ask why a chiropractor is writing about hunting. Although I am a strong believer of the paleo diet, I myself am no hunter. However, a great deal of my patients are avid outdoorsmen and women, and many have a hunting story or two. Hunters, you need to get your spines checked!
Hunting involves a great deal of physical exertion, with the amount obviously varying with how the hunter chooses to track and obtain his target, but there are undoubtedly going to be some aches and pains. Let us say that you are sitting for hours in a deer stand, patiently waiting by that well-traveled deer path. Sitting in that position all day, all weekend, is similar to driving on an extensive road trip. The lack of motion in your ligaments, muscles and joints can be extremely damaging over this amount of time!
On the other hand, let's say that you are an active tracker and are hiking up and down inclines with all your gear in a pack on your back, all weekend. This may cause excess wear and tear on the joints in your spinal column especially if there is any preexisting instability! And that is just the start; there is more work to be done when you actually bag your animal! The average white-tail doe weighs about 125 pounds and, for those who drew a moose tag, the average bull moose weighs in around 700 pounds. That is a lot of weight to be dressing and packing out!
There is also the issue of accidents while hunting; anything from ATV rollovers to tree stand injuries; injuries that may not end up being serious but can seriously subluxate your spine. So your getaway into the woods, albeit fun, is a lot of hard work and if you're like most individuals you are taking time away from a job that is not as physically demanding as a weekend of hunting.
Spinal health doesn't just mean physical health. It also impacts the nervous system - the ability to make quick decisions; affects audio and visual processing and general functions that we utilize every day in managing the world around us. While chiropractic may not guarantee a hunting trophy, it will keep you fit and well for many more opportunities!
Take some time between your outdoor outings and come see us at our office in Coeur d'Alene, 370 E. Kathleen Ave. Suite 600 or give us a call to schedule your appointment, (208) 667-7434 visit our website at www.CDAHealth.com or find us on Facebook.
ARTICLES BY DR. AMY SPOELSTRA
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