How to Eliminate Back Pain from Gardening or Yard Work
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Summer yard work and gardening are great ways to spruce up your home, grow your own food, and spend time outdoors. The trouble is, while gardening or working in the yard, we usually work in bent over, unusual positions for prolonged periods of time and can wind up with back, neck, and shoulder pain when we are done. Dr. MacArthur and Dr. McNally of Portland Chiropractic Neurology offer these tips to help keep your body safe before planting and pulling weeds:
- Aaron MacArthur, DC, DACNB, FABVR
Dr. MacArthur is a Chiropractor Neurologist in Portland, Maine. If you have more questions or would like to have a private consultation at our office, please call 207-699-5600. Portland Chiropractic Neurology is Maine’s only chiropractic neurology practice.
- Stretch your muscles. Just like preparing for a workout, stretching before you head out for yard work can loosen up the body up and prepare the muscles.
- Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated will prevent cramping in your muscles.
- Take breaks. Stand upright and rest every 1/2 hour or so.
- Move mindfully. Lift with your legs, not your back and keep movement close to you instead of straining and reaching in awkward positions.
- Warm up with some light activity. Jumping Jacks, or a brisk short walk will suffice. This allows the sensors in your muscles and joints to communicate and protect themselves.
- If you feel sharp pain, STOP. Your body is letting you know that there is something damaging occurring/about to occur.
- Aaron MacArthur, DC, DACNB, FABVR
Dr. MacArthur is a Chiropractor Neurologist in Portland, Maine. If you have more questions or would like to have a private consultation at our office, please call 207-699-5600. Portland Chiropractic Neurology is Maine’s only chiropractic neurology practice.
