Friday Night Lights
Football season is officially here!
For some families, that means Friday night lights, Saturday morning games, endless practices, and a calendar that somehow revolves around kickoff times.
For others, it means fantasy football, Sunday watch parties, and spending three hours on the couch yelling at the TV.
Either way, football season can be surprisingly tough on your body.
Obviously, athletes are dealing with high-impact movements, but spectators aren't exactly getting off easy either.
Hours sitting on bleachers — not unlike what we see during graduation season, just with more standing mixed in.
Leaning forward on the couch.
Looking down at your phone.
Standing on hard surfaces.
And then there are the athletes themselves — accelerating, decelerating, cutting, tackling, and absorbing repeated impacts. Their bodies need the same kind of prep we talk about heading into any sports season.
Your body has to be prepared to handle all of that. 👇
🏈 Try these football-season resets:
Thoracic Rotations
Sit or stand tall with your hands across your chest. Slowly rotate your upper body to one side, then the other. Perform 10 slow reps per side.
Why it works: Your upper back needs to rotate well for healthy shoulder and spinal movement. Improving mobility here can reduce the tendency to compensate through the neck or low back — the same rotational demand we cover in Pickleball, Golf, and Back Pain?
Hip Flexor Stretch
Get into a half-kneeling position with one knee down. Gently shift your hips forward while keeping your torso upright. Hold 30 seconds per side.
Why it works: Sitting for long periods keeps the hips in a shortened position. Opening them back up can help reduce tension through the hips and low back.
Don't Sit Through the Commercials
Every time there's a commercial break, get up. Walk around the room, grab some water, or do 10 bodyweight squats.
Why it works: Frequent movement breaks help counteract the effects of prolonged sitting and keep your joints from getting stiff.
How Chiropractic Helps!
For athletes, chiropractic care isn't simply about what happens after an injury.
It's about helping the body move efficiently before, during, and after competition.
Your nervous system controls coordination, balance, reaction time, muscle activation, and movement. When the spine and joints aren't moving properly, your body may compensate elsewhere.
That's why we love working with athletes throughout an entire season — not just when they're hurt.
And if you're the parent sitting on the sidelines?
Your spine deserves some attention too.
📅 Whether you're playing under the Friday night lights or watching from the bleachers, we'd love to help you keep your body moving well all season long. Schedule your next visit with Avant Chiropractic today.
