Summer in the Bay Area is incredible — hiking the Los Gatos Creek Trail, biking through Almaden Quicksilver, weekend volleyball at Martial Cottle Park. But the shift from desk life to sudden bursts of physical activity is one of the most common reasons San Jose patients walk through our door at Vitality Chiropractic.
Here’s what’s actually happening to your spine this summer:
The “Weekend Warrior” Pattern
Most of us sit for 40+ hours a week. Then Saturday arrives and we’re suddenly hiking 8 miles, loading kayaks, or playing 3 sets of tennis. The muscles and spinal joints that have been sedentary all week aren’t ready for that load — and they let you know about it on Sunday morning.
Hydration and Disc Health
Your spinal discs are roughly 80% water. Summer heat and activity cause faster dehydration, which means those discs — which act as shock absorbers between your vertebrae — have less cushion to work with. This is one reason back pain spikes in the summer months.
The Flip-Flop Problem
San Jose summers and sandals go hand in hand. But most flip-flops offer zero arch support, which alters your gait and puts compensatory stress on your knees, hips, and lower back. We see this pattern every July and August.
What You Can Do
- Warm up before any activity — even a 10-minute walk before your hike matters
- Stay ahead of hydration (aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily)
- Invest in supportive footwear or bring in your sandals — we can assess your gait
- Schedule a spinal check-in before the summer activities ramp up
At Vitality Chiropractic, Drs. Dave and Grace work with San Jose families and active adults to keep them moving well all summer long. If you’ve been putting off that adjustment, summer is exactly the right time to get in — not after the pain starts.
Ready to move better this summer? Book your appointment today →