Maintain Back & Joint Health During Yard Work

As the temperatures warm up and you get ready for gardening or yard work, it’s important that you know ways to avoid injury. Utah Accident Clinic has seen hundreds of clients walk through our doors with issues of back or joint pain from doing outside yard work. We know how easy it is to forget that as we get older and our joints stiffen up, the slightest turn or bend, can result in a few weeks of bed rest. Here a few simple tips on how to maintain back & joint health when doing yard work.

Always Stretch

This is by far one of the easiest things to do to help prevent any injuries. Take several minutes to stretch before picking up that gardening tool. Stretch out your muscles to a comfortable point, being careful not to overstretch. Doing these simple stretches can loosen up your joints and back so you can be more flexible with your movements. While you stretch, also focus on breathing in and out, to feel more relaxed. Warming up is one way on how to maintain back & joint health when doing yard work .  

Things to Consider to Maintain Back & Joint Health When Doing Yard Work

Besides stretching, there are also a few other things you can do to prevent back and joint injury. Supportive shoes will help you be balanced. Additionally, they’ll ensure support for your foot and arch. When doing any lifting or bending, always bend at the knees and not at the waist. Taking your time and following this simple tip will help in preventing strains to your back that could have been avoided. The most important tip to follow is make sure that you are always hydrated. Have a bottle of water near you to help keep those bodily fluids moving and also to prevent heat cramps.   

Use Equipment Properly

If you are doing yard work, maintain your back & joint health by using machines properly and taking your time. For instance, if you are using a lawn mower, use your entire body to push the mower forward. Don’t just use your arms and back. When you are raking up leaves, make sure you use your arms and shoulders so you’re not twisting your back.  The lower back area is most vulnerable to injury especially when you’re forcefully turning or twisting your back in an unnatural direction. 

When to Seek Chiropractic Care

If you have followed all of these tips and are still experiencing back and joint pain, it’s important that you seek a chiropractor as soon as possible. This will not only aid in a faster recovery to have you feeling better, but it will also help to prevent any future injuries. Utah Accident Clinic in Provo, UT will address the back and/or joint pain you are experiencing and help you to strengthen those muscles. We provide the highest quality of care and get you back on the road to recovery so that you can enjoy the warm months out in your yard and garden. Hopefully now you know how to maintain back & joint health when doing yard work.