The Leaves are Falling!! Raking the Right Way

What a GORGEOUS Fall we are having...a nice reward after a somewhat blistering summer! Fall on the calendar of course means falling leaves, and seasonal yard clean-up.  Yardwork if not done properly can cause pain, and prevent you from doing things you enjoy, and that's no good!  So here are a few tips to keep your body happy while you keep your yard healthy:1)  Use the right rake.  Make sure it's not too heavy, light or wrongly shaped.  Take frequent breaks, and switch sides often.2)  Keep raking strokes short.  This prevents over-reaching and excessive forward bending.3)  Wear slip-resistant shoes.  Leaves and grass are slippery when wet.4)  Warm-up first.  It's like going out to exercise; take a brisk walk for 10 minutes first to get blood pumping.5)  Wear gardening gloves.  It'll protect your hands and allow for a good grip.  6)  Afterwards, do some back-bending stretches.  Stand with your feet hip width, hands over your back pockets and lean backwards 10 times.If things do hurt after working in the yard, generally, icing for 20 minutes helps.  But if pain does persist beyond 24 hours, it's best to have a chiropractor or other physician specializing in bones, muscles and joints take a look.Enjoy the season!!