It seems Mondays are the busiest days in the office lately. There are a lot of different theories on the pattern of busy vs. slow days in a Chiropractic office, but this time of year, almost all of us can agree on the cause.
The Weekend Warrior. Husbands diligently checking off that Honey-Do List. Super-Moms. All participating in the one Autumn task that can really blindside you with pain....Raking the Leaves.
You may not think twice about this task before you grab the gloves and the bags and head out, but i'm here to tell you that you should! Raking the leaves is a major strain on your body which can cause upper back pain, lower back pain, and shoulder strain! While I would love to see you all in my office and get to work at correcting these ailments, I would prefer to see you in wellness so that we can PREVENT this type of thing from happening and get you right into your work week.
Here are a few tips/tricks for you to get your raking done while staying pain free!
- Stretch throughout the time span you are raking. Take a break and do some trunk rotations, knee-to-chest pulls, and neck stretches.
- Alternate your feet in a "scissors" like stance. Start with left foot forward and then a few minutes later, switch to the right foot forward
- When you're picking up the leaves and packing the bags use proper lifting posture. Bend at the knees not at the waist
- Stay Hydrated
- Wear gloves to avoid blisters
- Many hardware stores sell ergonomic yard tools that are specifically designed to help your body function at its best
- Put your kids to work! You shouldn't have to do it ALL
- If you are sore/stiff after your long day of raking and mowing, use some ice to soothe the discomfort
- If you waited too long and you're still in pain...call your chiropractor
Dr. Caitlin Pietrosanto
