For many homeowners, yard work is an essential part of spring cleaning. While getting some fresh air and improving your property’s appearance can be rewarding, the back pain that often follows is not. Luckily, Source Therapy, a leading orthopedic care facility in Gig Harbor, WA, shares some tips for keeping your back intact when performing lawn maintenance this season.

5 Ways to Avoid Back Pain From Yard Work

1. Alternate Tasks

Focusing on one chore for hours at a time can leave your muscles stiff and sore. To prevent strains, spend no more than a half hour at a time on any one task, and alternate the use of different body parts.

2. Switch Raking Stances

Raking is another task known for causing discomfort. Alleviate its impact on your back and shoulders by switching your grip on the rake every so often. Make sure to use your non-dominant hand as much as your dominant one.  

3. Weed With Care

Weeding is notorious for taking a toll on the back. Keep pain at bay by placing a cushion beneath your knees, or, at the very least, wearing a pair of knee pads.

4. Lift With Your Legs

Whether it’s bags of topsoil or mulch, there’s a lot of lifting involved in springtime yard work. Prevent pulled muscles or back injuries by maintaining a neutral spine and engaging your leg muscles when you lift.

5. Wear the Right Shoes

An important yet often overlooked aspect of injury prevention while performing yard work is wearing proper shoes. Make sure yours are supportive yet comfortable and have enough traction to help you navigate every area of the yard.

While back pain can be prevented, it may sneak up even when you’ve been cautious. If you experience discomfort this season, there’s no need to suffer. With targeted, effective treatments, the specialists from Source Therapy will address the source of your back pain to promote quicker and more thorough healing. To schedule an appointment, call (253) 857-4870 or visit them online.