Rochester Chiropractor Tells You How

Fall chores can be good for your yard, but they are not always good for your back. Rochester Hills chiropractor Dr. Ron Fried has treated plenty of strains, sprains, and pains associated with the heavy lifting, twisting, turning, and other forms of exertion that come with sprucing up the yard in autumn. Treatments that are effective for back and neck pain and other bodily aches include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and massage - although the best strategy is to avoid injury in the first place by protecting your back while performing the chores.

Protect Your Back with Fall Chore Tips from Rochester Hills Chiropractic and Wellness Center

Rochester is rife with leaves come autumn, and raking them up safely and effectively means putting the least amount of strain and tension on your back. Stay in alignment with the rake and put the force of your entire body behind your movements rather than reaching awkwardly or at great distances to pull in the leaves.

Picking up scattered summer toys, bags of soil, and other objects is another prime time for back injuries. Heavy lifting, or any lifting, is safest when you bend from your hips and knees rather than at your waist. Bending at the waist puts the full weight on your back, whereas bending at your hips transfers the weight to your hips, which are much more powerful and better suited to handling excess weight. Even picking up the lightest loads can hurt your back if you consistently abuse your spine.

Your lawn might need one final fall mow, another prime time to create a backache. Mow safely by again putting the force of your entire body behind the mower. Stand in alignment with the mower and push it with your arms in a comfortable position and the force of your body moving in the mower's direction. If wheel barrow dumping is in order, again use the power of your entire body to lift and dump.

What fall chore do you dread the most?