• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Rss

Moore Chiropractic

  • Home
  • Services
  • Our Difference
  • About
  • Reviews
  • Payment
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

You are here: Home » General » Prevent Back Pain While Doing Yard Work

Prevent Back Pain While Doing Yard Work

March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021
Planting flowers
Prevent back pain this summer in your garden

Love it or hate it, yard work can’t be avoided during the summer months here in Olympia, WA. Mowing, weeding, trimming, and mulching keeps your yard looking its best. But maintaining your yard isn’t without its dangers. These 10 tips can help you prevent back pain during these warm months.

Warm-Up

Start by keeping your muscles and joints flexible by performing a few warm-up exercises before you begin working. Lunges, jumping jacks, stretches, or even a few laps around the yard get your blood flowing help to relax your muscles, and improve flexibility along with range of motion.

Wear Supportive Shoes

Think about it, your feet support the weight of your entire body and help keep your bones and joints properly aligned and balanced. Wearing worn-out or unsupportive shoes while you mow or complete other yard work may increase your risk of back pain.

For safety’s sake, wear closed shoes that provide adequate support for your arches. If you have flat feet or another foot issue, you may benefit from wearing orthotics in your shoes. The custom shoe inserts add arch support, keep your feet properly aligned in your shoes and absorb shock.

Flip flops and sandals aren’t good choices for yard work. Even if you choose styles that offer arch support, you may be more likely to slip or fall if your lawn, deck, patio, or walkways are wet.

Don’t Put Your Back Into It

Poor lifting techniques can lead to stressed or strained back muscles. Before you attempt to lift a bag of mulch or move a heavy flower pot, place your feet about 18″ apart to improve stability. Bending your knees when you lift reduces stress on your back. As you pick up the object, hold it close to your body, and use the muscles in your legs, not your back, to lift.

Know Your Limitations

You may be able to lift those large paving stones by yourself, but should you? Knowing your own limits is key to prevent back pain. If you know you’ll struggle to carry objects even a few feet, it’s best to ask for help. Although you may not notice any immediate problems, soreness and pain can set in just a few hours later.

Back pain should never be ignored, as it can become a chronic condition. Twenty percent of people who experience acute (sudden) pain develop chronic back pain after 12 months, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Stores Bags of Topsoil and Mulch in a Dry Location

Rain-soaked bags of mulch or topsoil become much heavier and difficult to move. Keep the bags in a covered area to prevent them from becoming soaked by rain or your sprinkler system.

Let Your Equipment Handle the Heavy Work

Rearranging the potted plants on your deck, patio, or porch is much easier when you place the plants on rolling plant stands. Use a dolly, wheelbarrow, or a tractor to move heavier items.

Upgrade Your Mower

Mowing your lawn not only keeps grassy areas presentable but also qualifies as aerobic exercise. Unfortunately, pushing the mower may cause muscle tension, stiffness, or back spasms. If mowing leaves you in pain, consider switching to a self-propelled or riding mower.

Alternate Hands

Most people primarily use their dominant hands when using garden tools. Digging or raking with your right hand for hours may stress the right side of your body and cause back pain. Avoid a backache by alternating hands occasionally.

Bend and Stretch

You’re more likely to suffer from muscle or joint pain if you remain in one position too long. Hunching over to weed the flower bed or stain the deck can cause aches and pains in your back and neck. In order to prevent back pain, stand and stretch every 20 minutes to work out the kinks.

Visit Your Chiropractor

Regular visits to your chiropractor can help you avoid back pain. Even minor imbalances in your spine can increase your risk of pain. When your vertebrae aren’t properly aligned, muscle tension may increase. Tight muscles are more likely to become injured during heavy lifting or tasks that require repetitive movements.

Spinal manipulation, massage, soft tissue mobilization, and other therapies improve spinal alignment, correct imbalances, and relieve tight muscles, reducing your risk of back pain when you work in your yard.

Does your yard look beautiful but your back hurts? Chiropractic treatment at Moore Chiropractic in Olympia, WA can help ease your painful symptoms. Come visit us today!

Pages

  • About Moore Chiropractic
  • Blog
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Contact
  • Contact – hCard
  • Health and Wellness Counseling
  • Home
  • Laser Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Our Difference
  • Payment
  • Pediatric Care
  • Privacy Policy
  • Reviews
  • Services
  • Sports Medicine
  • Prenatal Chiropractic Care
  • Chiropractic Care and Auto Accidents
  • Rehabilitation

Categories

  • Chiropractic Care
  • Chiropractic Care News
  • Chiropractic Services
  • General
  • Laser Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Resources
  • Videos

Archive

  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2014
  • July 2013
  • April 2013
  • November 2012
← Chiropractic Care for Basketball Players (previous entry)
(next entry) What Is the Webster Method? →

Interesting links

Besides are some interesting links for you! Enjoy your stay :)

Pages

  • About Moore Chiropractic
  • Blog
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Contact
  • Contact – hCard
  • Health and Wellness Counseling
  • Home
  • Laser Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Our Difference
  • Payment
  • Pediatric Care
  • Privacy Policy
  • Reviews
  • Services
  • Sports Medicine
  • Prenatal Chiropractic Care
  • Chiropractic Care and Auto Accidents
  • Rehabilitation
© 2023 Moore Chiropractic