Gardening and back pain

Gardening tips to prevent back pain

Lone Star Chiropractic Newsletter Susan Bradshaw D.C. 3100 Weslayan Suite 378 Houston, TX 77027 www.lschiropractic.com 713-337-2117 In This Issue Funnies Yard work Safety Quick Links  Website  Book an Appointment  Facebook Funnies!   Why wasn’t there any food left after the monster party? Because everyone  was a goblin! What is a skeleton’s favourite instrument? The trombone. What does a bird say at Halloween? “Twick or tweet.” Who did Dracula bring to the prom? His ghoul friend. What kind of mail does a superstar vampire get? Fang mail. Why did Dracula go to the library? He wanted a good book to sink his teeth into! What did the pumpkin need for its boo boo? A pumpkin patch.   The cooler weather is finally here!  As much as I love warm weather, it sure is nice to open the windows and have some fresh air.  I hope you have had a chance to enjoy the change in season. Gardening… it doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck! The right way to do yard work   I have seen a lot of people outdoors lately sprucing up their yard and enjoying the lovely weather. I have also seen people in my office for pains associated with those activities. It is actually very common to hurt yourself doing simple yard work, but if you approach it as you would a day of exercise, you can prevent some of the aches and pains! Here are a few hints to make the best out of yard work. Stretch Include your back, legs and arms. You can also do a bit of walking ahead of time to warm up. Have questions about stretching? Send me an email, I’ll be more than happy to answer! Hydrate Even though the temperatures are cooler outside, you still are “exercising”.  Staying hydrated can help prevent injuries. Lift Properly Use your knees when you are lifting and be sure not to over stuff the waste bags. This way, they are easily lifted and carried. If you are weeding, planting and other activities where you might find yourself stooping, be sure to use your knees. If you can, try to sit while potting new plants or cutting low shrubs. The most common way to injure your lower back is by locking your knees, bending and lifting. Pace Yourself As nice as it would be to finish everything as quickly as possible, take breaks to rest. Push/Pull Just as you do not want to lift anything too heavy, be prepared when you are pushing or pulling.  Know how heavy the item is, and if it is too much for you ask for help or break jobs into smaller tasks. Leaves, leaves, everywhere! Try not to underestimate that a simple raking the yard is actually very difficult on your back. The constant leaning forward, bending to move leaves can be torture. Take your time, don’t bend to far forward when pulling the leaves together. If you are loading a bag, lower yourself down to the ground to move the leaves instead of bending over (see tip number 3) and use a rake that is your size. Have fun!  Since we live in a warmer climate, be sure to enjoy the outdoors. When you are ready for your outdoor grilling or bbq party…don’t forget to invite your favorite chiropractor!  Ahem… If you do find that you have hurt yourself, don’t wait to seek treatment.   Once again thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, I am always striving to provide useful information. If you have questions or would like me to address a question in upcoming issues, just let me know!Sincerely, Susan Bradshaw D.C. Lone Star Chiropractic 713-337-2117 www.LSchiropractic.com