Summer Aches and Pains: Why You’re Sore in August (and When It’s Time to See a Physiotherapist)
Summer in Ontario is short, and we all try to make the most of it. Whether you’re spending weekends at the cottage, playing golf, hiking, gardening, cycling, or tackling home improvement projects, August is often one of the most active months of the year.
It’s also one of the busiest times of year for physiotherapy clinics.
At Elora Physiotherapy, we often hear patients say:
“I didn’t have an accident—I just woke up sore after a busy weekend.”
The good news? Most summer aches don’t happen because you’ve done something “wrong.” They often occur because your body is suddenly doing more than it’s been prepared for.
Why Do Summer Injuries Happen?
Our muscles, tendons, joints, and bones adapt to the demands we place on them. When activity levels increase suddenly—whether it’s a full day of gardening, carrying coolers, painting a fence, or walking 20,000 steps on vacation—our tissues may become overloaded.
Research in sports medicine has consistently shown that a sudden spike in physical activity is one of the biggest contributors to overuse injuries. The goal isn’t to avoid activity; it’s to help your body gradually adapt to it.
A review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that rapidly increasing physical activity without allowing adequate time for adaptation significantly increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (Gabbett, 2016).
The Most Common Summer Aches We See
Low Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy during the summer. Activities like lifting mulch, moving patio furniture, carrying luggage, or spending hours weeding can all place extra stress on your back.
Current clinical guidelines recommend staying active and beginning appropriate exercise early rather than prolonged rest for most episodes of back pain. In fact, movement is often one of the best treatments.
Shoulder Pain
Painting, swimming, kayaking, pickleball, and reaching overhead can all irritate the shoulder.
If you’re experiencing:
- Pain reaching overhead
- Difficulty sleeping on your shoulder
- Pain lifting objects
- Weakness
An early assessment can help prevent a small problem from becoming a long-lasting one.
Research shows that exercise therapy is one of the most effective first-line treatments for many common shoulder conditions.
Heel and Foot Pain
Walking barefoot around the cottage, wearing flip-flops more often, or increasing your walking can contribute to heel pain, including plantar fasciitis.
If your first few steps in the morning are painful, don’t ignore it. Early treatment often leads to a quicker recovery.
Myth vs. Fact
❌ Myth: “Pain means I should completely rest.”
✅ Fact: For many common musculoskeletal conditions, complete rest may actually slow recovery. Current research supports staying appropriately active while gradually returning to normal activities. A physiotherapist can help determine the right amount of movement for your specific injury.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist?
It’s normal to feel sore after trying something new.
However, consider booking an assessment if:
- Your pain lasts longer than one to two weeks.
- Pain is getting worse instead of improving.
- You’re avoiding activities because of pain.
- You notice swelling, weakness, or reduced movement.
- The same pain keeps coming back whenever you’re active.
Early treatment often means a shorter recovery and can help prevent compensation patterns that lead to additional problems.
What Does Physiotherapy Involve?
Every person is different, so treatment begins with understanding why you’re experiencing pain—not just where it hurts.
Your physiotherapist will assess:
- Movement patterns
- Strength and flexibility
- Joint mobility
- Balance (when appropriate)
- Activity demands
- Lifestyle factors
Treatment may include:
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Individualized exercise
- Education and activity modification
- Neurofunctional acupuncture or other modalities (when appropriate)
- A plan to safely return to the activities you enjoy
Our goal isn’t simply to reduce pain—it’s to help you get back to living your life with confidence.
Five Takeaways
✔ Summer injuries are often caused by doing too much, too soon, not by one specific movement.
✔ Staying active is usually better than prolonged rest for common musculoskeletal injuries.
✔ Early assessment can often prevent a minor problem from becoming a persistent one.
✔ Physiotherapy focuses on treating the underlying cause of pain—not just the symptoms.
✔ You don’t have to stop enjoying summer activities. The right treatment can help you keep doing what you love.
Enjoy Your Summer—Without Letting Pain Slow You Down
Whether you’re spending your weekends at the cottage, golfing with friends, tackling projects around the house, or simply enjoying the outdoors, aches and pains don’t have to be part of the experience.
If pain is keeping you from doing the things you love, the team at Elora Physiotherapy is here to help. Through one-on-one assessment, evidence-based treatment, and individualized rehabilitation, we’ll help you get back to enjoying your summer—and every season that follows.
References
Gabbett TJ. The training–injury prevention paradox: Should athletes be training smarter and harder? British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016;50(5):273–280.
Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, Louw Q, Ferreira ML, Genevay S, et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2356–2367.
World Health Organization. WHO Guideline for Chronic Low Back Pain. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
Martin RL, Davenport TE, Reischl SF, McPoil TG, Matheson JW, Wukich DK, et al. Heel Pain—Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2023;53(7)–CPG80.
Jensen AR, Kelley MJ, Cools AM, et al. Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Diagnosis, Non-surgical Medical Care, and Rehabilitation: A Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2022.