Summer fun is heating up—and whether you’re prepping for a beach day or a backyard BBQ, your shoulders are putting in work! Coolers, chairs, grills, and bags might seem harmless, but repetitive or awkward lifting can strain your shoulder and neck muscles, especially if you’re already dealing with pain, weakness, or a prior injury.
At Kauai Therapy we want you to enjoy summer safely. Here are our top PT/OT tips for shoulder-safe lifting and carrying this season:
💪 5 Tips for Shoulder-Safe Summer Prep
1. Use Your Legs, Not Your Neck
Bend at your hips and knees—not your spine—and keep the load close to your body. Avoid shrugging your shoulders or reaching too far away.
2. Avoid Overhead Lifting
Try not to hoist heavy items (like grills or coolers) above shoulder height. If you must reach overhead, break the item into smaller loads or ask for help.
3. Alternate Arms & Take Breaks
Carrying a heavy beach bag or tray of food? Switch arms frequently to avoid overloading one side, and take breaks to give your muscles a chance to recover.
4. Use a Cart or Rolling Cooler
Don’t be a hero! Let the wheels do the work when possible. This reduces shoulder stress and lowers your fall risk on uneven outdoor surfaces.
5. Listen to Your Body
Mild soreness after activity can be normal—but sharp, stabbing pain, numbness, or persistent discomfort could be a sign of shoulder strain or rotator cuff involvement.
🎯 How Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Can Help
If shoulder pain is interfering with your summer fun, our PT and OT team can help you:
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Strengthen your rotator cuff and postural muscles
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Improve range of motion and lifting mechanics
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Reduce pain through manual therapy and stretching
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Return to safe, confident movement without flare-ups
📞 Call us today to schedule your summer tune-up! Phone: 208.205.9559
Your body will thank you—at the beach and at the grill.
#SummerStrong #ShoulderHealth #PTTips #OTSupport #KauaiTherapy #BackyardBBQSafety #BeachDayReady