Caring for Your Spine This Fall
By Sara Butler
Fall is in full swing, which means that the leaves will soon be falling and the temperatures dropping. One thing that doesn’t fall in the autumn is your chance of experiencing back pain. In fact, the risk goes up! Here are some of the reasons the chiropractors at The Joint find that people experience back pain in the fall and what you can do to avoid it.
Twisting and Bending
All those leaves need to be raked and your lawn prepared for winter, right? Well, don’t let that work outside sabotage your back! Raking leaves, as well as other lawn care activities, usually involve a lot of twisting and bending – both of which can cause back pain due to sprains and strains.
A few tips to help you avoid this fate include:
- Warm up – It’s exercise, so get your body ready! Do some light stretching, lifting, and moving around to get your blood pumping and your muscles warm before you start.
- Check your pace – You don’t have to do it all at once. Do a little bit at a time with frequent breaks in between.
- Use proper form – Form is important. Make sure to lift with your legs and hips, never your back. Bend at your knees and don’t twist while carrying something.
- Find the right tools – You need tools with long handles that are lightweight and easy to wield. This will make it easier on your back.
- Dress right – It’s not a fashion show; you should put in an effort to wear supportive footwear and gloves.
Keep Exercising
As the temperature drops, so does the motivation to go outside and move your body. It is the season of the couch, after all (hello football season!). But you have to keep exercising if you want to keep your back healthy.
To avoid falling into the lack of exercise trap, you should:
- Try to maintain an exercise program
- Spend less time watching television from your couch
- Join a gym or community activity that gets you out and moving
- Try not to overeat
If You Have Pain
Sometimes, no matter how much you try to avoid it, back pain strikes. If that happens, then you need to get over to The Joint Chiropractic as soon as you can. Remember, you don’t need an appointment – just walk in!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.