Every year, hundreds if not thousands of people suffer some type of lower back injury. This often requires a visit to their Urbandale chiropractor as a result of gardening or doing some other type of yard work. This happens a lot in the spring when people are anxious to get outside and tend to their yards after months of being penned indoors by the winter season.
It is relatively easy to injure your back, especially if you are moving heavy objects around the yard. While good chiropractic care is always one of the first things you should do after receiving such an injury, you also want to consider the fact that chiropractic care, that occurs on a fairly regular basis, may help to curb some of these injuries in the first place as does following some common safety precautions when you are working in your yard.
There are a number of tips that can help you when it comes to preventing back injuries while you are working in your yard. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that in most cases the more fit you are, the less likely you are to suffer an injury of this type. Fitness is a good idea in any case, and this is especially true when you are performing any type of rigorous physical activity. Good muscle tone and flexibility will go a long way toward helping you stay healthy and free from back injuries that can be very painful.
In addition, you always want to lift properly. Always lift with your knees, and keep your feet in front of you approximately a shoulder length apart. Whatever you do, never lift with your back. This is one of the primary reasons that people receive back injuries in the first place. Another thing you can do to reduce your chances of injuring your back is to use tools that work well for you. If you are an individual with a smaller build, you need to use smaller tools and try not to move things that are too heavy without help.
Of course, if you do feel tightness in your back or you have had an especially hard day, you can typically relieve much of the tension by icing the muscles appropriately. If you prefer, you may want to alternate ice and heat in order to reduce inflammation and then relax the muscles. Ensure that you do not apply ice directly to the skin and that you use caution when applying heat.
It is always a good idea to visit your chiropractor on a regular basis even if you are not currently experiencing any problems. This can prevent you from suffering a back injury or some other type of injury while you are working in your yard. In the event that you do suffer an injury, visiting Advanced Spine Health Center in Urbandale can be an integral part of the recovery process. Working in your yard and getting ready for spring is something that most people enjoy, but it is also something that you should do carefully in order to ensure that you do not injure yourself. Be safe and contact us with any questions you may have.
At Advanced Spine Health Center our team is here to help answer your questions. Please feel free to contact us today.
