Sport-Specific Injuries: Fishing

Did you know you are never more than 6 miles away from a body of water when you are anywhere in the state of Michigan?  Naturally, fishing is a popular activity.  Fishing may not seem like a high-risk sport, but it can have many unexpected dangers. There are obvious injury risks when you fish: dehydration, hooking a finger, boat motor issues, accidental drowning, etc. However, if you want to keep yourself in tip-top fishing shape for the whole season, you must also protect yourself from more mundane fishing hazards – overuse injuries, slips/trips/falls, and neck and back injuries…all of which we can help you with!

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries develop when a muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone is repeatedly stressed and never gets a chance to rest. You may have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome, Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), and Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow).  Overuse injuries are common in fishing because of the actions like casting, reeling, and battling with a fish on the line.  Large muscles are also prone to overuse injuries (bicep tendonitis and rotator cuff strains). Located in your shoulder, your rotator cuff gets a workout from multiple (possibly a hundred) casts during a day of fishing. Similarly, repeatedly reeling in a line, especially with a fish on it, can lead to bicep, tricep, or wrist soreness.

Overuse injuries typically stem from a lack of flexibility and sport-specific physical fitness. Regular stretching and working out can help strengthen your muscles and prevent overuse injuries from occurring.

Slips/trips/falls

Whether your shoes have become slick from the nearby water or you’re standing on a wet dock, fishing is filled with slipping hazards. You might be able to stabilize yourself as you slip, but all too often a simple slip turns into a hard fall.  Depending on how and where you fall, you may have a fractured bone, dislocated or sprained joint, or painful cuts and scrapes.

To avoid slipping and falling while fishing, it’s important to wear the proper gear. Wear non-slip shoes, and if you spot water, oil, or other slippery materials on the deck, be sure to clean it up immediately.

Neck & Back Injuries

Aside from slipping and falling, it is possible to hurt your neck or back muscles through the rigors of fishing. This typically occurs when battling a fish on the line, which forces your body out of alignment. Backs are not designed to handle the rigors of a battle, as larger fish can dive hundreds of yards into the depths at speeds of 40 or 50 MPH.

Whenever possible, remember to keep your nose over your knees, and knees over your toes to ensure that muscles are not exposed to undue strain. Always avoid twisting under pressure (when you hook a fish). It’s tempting to pull the rod back from the water’s edge, twisting to the right or left. This overloads the pressure on one side of your body, greatly increasing the chances of injuries. Always try to stay low, using a lower center of gravity for mechanical advantage. This can include sitting or bracing yourself against a barrier.  Finally, you can save your spine by wearing a belt pole holder to anchor the pole to your abdomen. Then, much like lifting a heavy box, keep your abdominal muscles tight and shift the strain from your lats, shoulders and arms down to your glutes and quads.

Reel fish, not pain

The main takeaway to keep the pain away and fish near is to stay limber and physically aware while fishing. Dynamic stretching, including knee-to-chest and arm circles, can help ensure that your muscles are ready for the strain of battling a fish.  Alternate sitting and standing – but do both with good posture – to avoid unnecessary stress on your body. Switch your grip and casting style throughout the day so no one motion or position is repeated excessively. And perhaps most important of all, take breaks to rest, even if you don’t feel tired!  If you find yourself in pain after a day out on the water, schedule a free assessment, and talk with one of our physical therapists about how you can get back out on the water without pain.