As fall’s cool air replaces the sunny days of summer, yards will soon need a new kind of attention.
Before you reach for your rake this fall, consider the possible consequences: back strain, neck strain, and pain in the shoulders. The twisting, turning, bending and reaching involved in raking your yard can cause injury that will need chiropractic care if your body is not prepared.
Follow these tips to avoid injury:
- Stretch, without bouncing, for 10 to 15 minutes prior to tackling your yard. Do knee-to-chest pulls, trunk rotations and side bends with hands above your head and fingers locked.
Stand as straight as possible and keep your head up. Use a “scissors’ stance:” right foot forward and left foot back, reverse after a few minutes, putting your left foot forward and your right foot back. - Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick up piles of leaves or grass. Make the piles small to decrease the possibility of back strain.
- Drink lots of water and wear protective gear such as long pants and gloves.
- Be sure to switch the side on which you are operating the equipment as often as possible, and to balance the muscles being used, alternate your stance and motion frequently.
- Take frequent breaks from the activity of the day. Muscle fatigue may be felt when using any of these devices for an extended period of time.
- Consider electric-powered items, especially if you experience back or neck pain, as they tend to be much lighter than their engine-powered counterparts.
- When picking up or putting down your equipment, be sure to bend from the knees, not at the waist. Keep the object close to your body as you lift, not at arm’s length.
- Take Back Your Health
If you feel soreness or stiffness in your back call our office at 479-636-1324 or complete this contact us form and we’ll contact you quickly to schedule an appointment. Chiropractic adjustments will help the body recover by ensuring the body is in proper alignment and free of interference.