With spring time finally here, many people will find themselves happily spending more time outdoors. One of those outdoor activities you may be participating in more as the summer months approach is yard work in the form of gardening, weeding, and mowing the lawn. Our San Antonio chiropractor here at Dr. Phillips Chiropractic, Nutrition and Wellness would like to provide you with some tips for avoiding common yard work injuries this spring and summer.
Yard work can place a lot of strain on the back and neck, as well as the elbows and knees. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to avoid these kinds of injuries. For starters, consider yard work as a form of exercise; you wouldn't go for a run without first taking the time to stretch and warm-up, so you shouldn't embark on an afternoon yardwork session without doing the same. Be specifically careful to stretch and loosen up the neck, back, legs, elbows, and shoulders.
When doing yard work like weeding or planting flowers, make sure you maintain proper posture. Ideally, if you'll be stooping or bending over for more than a couple of minutes at a time, you should have a gardening stool so you can sit down comfortably. This will help to protect your neck and back from strain and injury.
Furthermore, when lifting anything heavy while doing yard work (such as bags of mulch), make sure you're exercising safe lifting techniques. This means always lifting with your knees and legs rather than your back. If something is too heavy for you to lift comfortably on your own, don't hesitate to ask for help or use a wheelbarrow for assistance.
A little bit of care can go a long way in helping you avoid common yard work injuries this spring and summer. If you do find yourself in pain or discomfort after a day of stooping, bending, and tending to your yard, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor in San Antonio. Contact Dr. Phillips Chiropractic, Nutrition, and Wellness at (210) 545-1144!