"Tubing Injuries and Back Pain: How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Recover This Summer"
Summer in Indiana means lake days, sunshine, and convincing yourself that hanging onto an inflatable tube at 25 mph is a perfectly reasonable life choice.
Tubing behind a boat is one of the most popular summer activities, but as highlighted in an article by Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, it’s also associated with a surprising number of injuries. The article discusses common tubing-related injuries including strains, sprains, whiplash, herniated discs, concussions, and even more serious neck and spinal injuries. The combination of speed, sudden direction changes, bouncing over wakes, and the occasional “human slingshot” effect can place significant stress on the spine and surrounding muscles.
One point that stood out was the discussion of strains and whiplash injuries. When a tube suddenly changes direction or launches over a wake, your body is often forced to react faster than your muscles can stabilize. This can create excessive stress on the neck, mid-back, and lower back, resulting in muscle strains, joint irritation, and inflammation. In some cases, the forces involved can aggravate underlying disc issues or create new injuries altogether.
And let’s be honest—many tubing injuries don’t happen during a leisurely cruise around the lake. They happen when Dad decides he’s auditioning for the Indianapolis 500 and starts whipping the tube across every wake he can find. Suddenly you’re hanging on for dear life, questioning your life choices, your grip strength, and whether you’re still covered under your parents’ health insurance. While it may make for some great family stories later, those sharp turns and unexpected launches can place tremendous stress on the spine, neck, shoulders, and hips.
Interestingly, studies have shown that water-tubing injuries have increased dramatically over the years, with sprains and strains among the most common injuries treated in emergency departments. While most people walk away with nothing more than a good story, some find themselves dealing with stiffness, headaches, neck pain, low back pain, muscle spasms, or lingering discomfort long after the boat is back on the trailer.
So where does chiropractic care fit into the picture?
Here at Core Wellness Centers, I frequently see patients suffering from many of the same types of injuries described in the article. While every injury is different, many tubing-related complaints involve restricted spinal joints, irritated muscles, inflamed soft tissues, and altered movement patterns rather than fractures or severe trauma.
Following a thorough examination, I may utilize chiropractic adjustments to help restore normal joint motion, reduce mechanical stress on the spine, and improve overall mobility. Depending on the injury, treatment may also include soft tissue therapies, stretching recommendations, rehabilitation exercises, and advice on modifying activities during recovery. The goal is not simply to mask symptoms, but to address the underlying dysfunction and help patients return to their favorite summer activities safely and comfortably.
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming soreness will simply “work itself out.” While mild aches may improve on their own, persistent pain, headaches, numbness, tingling, or reduced range of motion can indicate a more significant injury that deserves professional evaluation.
The good news? You don’t have to avoid tubing altogether. Simple precautions such as using an experienced boat driver, avoiding excessive speeds, staying hydrated, and knowing when fatigue is setting in can significantly reduce your risk of injury. Strengthening your core and maintaining good spinal mobility throughout the year can also help your body better tolerate the demands of summer water sports.
And in honor of Father’s Day, here’s a friendly reminder to all the dads out there: take it easy on the kids! We know your mission is to launch them into low Earth orbit from the back of the tube, but maybe save a few of those hairpin turns for next weekend. Your kids—and their spines—will thank you.
If your back, neck, or shoulders are still complaining a few days after your latest lake adventure, don’t ignore it. My team and I here at Core Wellness Centers can help determine the cause of your discomfort and develop a treatment plan to get you back on the water—and back to enjoying your summer.
Because the only thing that should be sore after a great day at the lake is your ego after getting launched off the tube.
Yours in health, and remember, “I’ve always got your back!”
-Dr. Wise
