Raking leaves seems like an easy chore, but repetitive pulling, bending, reaching, and twisting can quickly lead to soreness in the upper back, shoulders, ribs, and lower back.
A few simple changes can help:
- Keep your back relatively straight and bend more through your hips and knees.
- Avoid repeatedly twisting your spine while pulling or throwing leaves.
- Switch sides frequently instead of always raking in the same direction.
- Take short breaks before your muscles become overly fatigued.
- Don’t try to finish the entire yard in one afternoon. Spread the work over several days or even a couple of weeks if needed.
Think of raking like any other physical activity: warm up a little, pace yourself, and pay attention when your body starts getting tired.
If you’re in the Champlin area and your back, shoulders, or ribs are feeling the effects of raking leaves, give us a call at Achieve Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture. We’d be happy to help get you moving comfortably again.
Call: 763-323-3456
