From their soothing sounds to their hypnotic patterns, waves can bring such a sense of peace and relaxation. On the other hand, when you’re on the water, their incessant movement can negatively impact your body, putting undue stress on your neck, back, and joints. But why exactly is that, and what can you do to protect yourself while boating?
Upper, Middle, and Lower Back Pain After Boating
In case it’s been a while since high school biology class, let’s take a quick look at the spine. The spine contains 33 vertebrae, made from bone, stacked on top of each other, with 23 vertebral discs separating each one. These discs connect the spine, allow for light mobility, and absorb shock from day-to-day physical activities.
But those discs can only do so much to protect, especially when the hits keep coming. After a day of
boating, the impact of waves puts stress on the spine, spinal discs, and the surrounding muscles.
But it’s not just the waves that impact your body. Boating involves lifting, bending, pulling, and tossing. Fishing, too, requires back strength and flexibility. Even if you’re properly prepared for these activities, they can take a toll on your body, including painful, fatigued joints and muscles.
To Read: The Best Stretches for Before and After Fishing
Should I Get a Boat Suspension Seat?
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time boating, you want to do everything you can to protect yourself from injury. Similar to how vertebral discs absorb impact shock, a boat suspension seat does the same thing, taking the brunt of the wave’s impact for you.
Smooth Moves Seats Save the Day (And Your Spine)
Smooth Moves boat seat suspension systems protect your joints and muscles from working too hard, which means less pain and discomfort during or after a day on the water.
Choose between two models of seat suspension systems – the Ultra and the Air. The Ultra uses a hydraulic system for easy adjustability, while the Air uses a built-in air compressor, activated with the simple touch of a button.
Both models are easy to install and fit the following fishing and pontoon boats with pedestal-style seat configurations:
- HewesCraft
- KingFisher
- Warrior, Tracker
- Nitro
- Triton
- Recon
- Lund boats
- Ranger boats
- Crestliner
- Alumacraft
- Lowe
- Skeeter
- Starcraft
- Smokercraft
- Stabicraft
- And more.
For extra durability, our suspension seats are made with saltwater-resistant, powder-coated steel and come with a three-year warranty. Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn how our suspension seats can work with your current boat setup, and reach out to our team if you have specific questions.
Upgrade your ride and feel the difference. You’ll be glad you did.
BONUS: More Ways to Prevent and Address Boating Back Pain
If you’re noticing upper, middle, and lower back pain after boating, you can also try the following:
- Commit to a proper stretch routine before, during, and after boating
- Wear properly-fitting boat shoes
- Make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll be able to make specific recommendations based on your circumstances.
