Chiropractor Tips to Avoid Yard Work Back Ache

Summer time here in South Florida sometimes inspires us to put in that new swing set for the kids, setup that garden we’ve been thinking about or just getting the yard ready for a back yard party. The longer days and the kids being out of school make us more available to use our property. Before you dive in to your weekend project, make sure to follow these chiropractic tips so your back is not aching by the end of the weekend:

• Stretch & Warm Up. Before you dig the first hole or carry the first bag of mulch, make sure to stretch. Maybe take a minute to go for a brief walk around the neighborhood to get your muscles warmed up. Or if  a walk doesn’t fit your project schedule, just jog in place for about 5 minutes to get your body warmed up. This step will help get your body ready for the labor you are about to do and will help prevent soreness. Loose muscles will help you prevent a trip to the chiropractor.
• Use the right tools. Sometimes we make things harder on ourselves not realizing that if we just rented the right piece of equipment or used the right tool, we could save ourselves a lot of work. Take a little bit of time prior to your project day to research the right tools and equipment for your backyard project. Overdoing is a pretty good recipe for coming limping into the chiropractors office on Monday.
• Bend with your knees. Lifting items properly is key. Our chiropractors recommend keeping your back straight while lifting and bend your knees. Make sure to always carry the load close to your body and try to avoid twisting while carrying weight as much as you can.
• Take breaks. To avoid overdoing it, our chiropractors recommend to take a brief rest or stretch break at least 3 times per hour. That combined with staying properly hydrated with fluids will help prevent over stressing your back and knees.

Keeping yourself healthy during your yard preparations will mean for a better Monday at the end of the weekend. If you do overdo it, we’re just a phone call away: (954) 981-4355. Even though our focus is on the maintenance of your health and not reactionary to  specific events, we are here for you whenever you need a licensed chiropractor. See you at our Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood or Boynton Beach chiropractor offices.