Yard Work Can Be Painful: Here's How to Prevent It
By Virginia Laird
Working in the yard can prove to cause a great deal of back pain. Chiropractors say with all the tugging on heavy items, bending to pull weeds, etc., it should be no shock that yard work can cause debilitating back pain. Instead of simply falling victim to this type of suffering, there are a few things you can try to eliminate such pain. These include:
- Get help hauling heavy items
- Find time to get off of your feet
- Stretch before spending time on your feet
Get Help Hauling Heavy Items
As you recreate your yard for each season, make sure you are asking for help with the heavy items. This can include bags of leaves, buckets of soils, and much more. Chiropractors say that lifting heavy items alone can be the cause of shifting of the vertebrae in the spine which can lead to restriction and pain. The next time you plan to work in the yard, make sure you ask a friend or family member for help to prevent pain and injury.
Find Time to Get Off of Your Feet
Although you will likely have the desire to accomplish everything there is to do in the yard in as little time as possible, chiropractors say that it is much healthier for your back to take your time. Allowing for breaks can help protect your back from injury. It is advised that you should take a break every hour or two. During this time it is necessary to get off of your feet to relax, if only for a few minutes. As you plan your time in the yard, make sure to include plenty of time for breaks.
Stretch Before Spending Time On Your Feet
Chiropractors say that stretching prior to spending time on your feet while working in the yard can help prevent back pain. These stretches should include the back and neck. Stretching before hard work is not limited to just yard work. Chiropractors say that any time you plan to exert yourself you should stretch to help prevent back pain and injury.
As you do all you can to keep your back pain under control, you may find that you need more care and attention than you can provide. For those who struggle to get relief, it is imperative to consider routine chiropractic care. Chiropractors focus their attention on the spine, working to release restriction. When you have more pain than you can bear, stop by The Joint Chiropractic to get started on your pain prevention plan. With more than 500 locations nationwide, you are certain to find one in your neighborhood. And with no appointment necessary, getting your routine care started can be as easy as dropping by when on your way home from work.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in The Woodlands, Tex.