Stay Safe and Healthy While Tending to Your Yard - Tips and Treatments to Try Today
Ready to tackle your yard this spring? Be prepared with our guide to preventing and treating common injuries, including chiropractic care from Dr. Matthew Lundeberg at Centre Chiropractic
Stay Safe and Healthy While Tending to Your Yard - Tips and Treatments to Try Today
Common Spring Yardwork Injuries
Spring is here, which means it's time to get outside and start working on your yard. While gardening, landscaping, and other outdoor activities can be a great way to stay active and enjoy the fresh air, they can also lead to a variety of injuries. In this article, we'll discuss some common spring yardwork injuries and provide tips for preventing them. We'll also introduce you to Dr. Matthew Lundeberg, a chiropractor at the Centre Chiropractic who can help you with any injuries you might experience.
Common Spring Yardwork Injuries
Here are some of the most common injuries that people experience while doing yardwork in the spring:
Back Pain: Bending, lifting, and twisting while gardening or doing other yardwork can put a strain on your back muscles and spine. This can lead to pain and stiffness in the lower back.
Shoulder Injuries: Reaching overhead to trim branches or hedges can lead to shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears or tendinitis.
Wrist and Hand Injuries: Using tools like shovels, rakes, and pruning shears can put a strain on your wrists and hands, leading to injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Knee Pain: Kneeling on hard surfaces like concrete or gravel can cause knee pain, especially if you spend a lot of time in that position.
Sunburn: Spending hours in the sun without protection can lead to painful sunburns.
Preventing Yardwork Injuries
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent these types of injuries. Here are some tips for avoiding yardwork injuries:
Warm-Up: Just like any other exercise, it's important to warm up your muscles before you start working in the yard. Take a few minutes to stretch your back, shoulders, wrists, and knees.
Use Proper Technique: When lifting heavy objects like bags of mulch or bags of dirt, bend your knees and lift with your legs instead of your back. Use long-handled tools to avoid bending over and reaching too far.
Take Breaks: If you start to feel fatigued, take a break and rest. Overexerting yourself can lead to injuries.
Wear Protective Gear: Wear gloves to protect your hands, and wear shoes with good support to protect your feet and ankles. If you're doing a lot of overhead work, consider wearing a shoulder brace.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially on hot days.
What to do in case of an injury
If you do experience an injury while doing yardwork, it's important to seek treatment right away. One option for treatment is chiropractic care, which can help to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Dr. Matthew Lundeberg is a chiropractor at the Centre Chiropractic who has experience working with patients who have yardwork-related injuries. He can provide a thorough evaluation to determine the extent of your injury and create a personalized treatment plan to help you recover.
Some of the treatments that Dr. Lundeberg may recommend for yardwork injuries include:
Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments can help to realign your spine and reduce pain and inflammation.
Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue therapy, such as massage or myofascial release, can help to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation.
Exercise and Stretching: Dr. Lundeberg can recommend exercises and stretches that can help to improve your range of motion and prevent future injuries.
Lifestyle Changes: Dr. Lundeberg can provide guidance on lifestyle changes you can make to prevent future injuries. This may include changes to your posture, diet, and exercise routine.
In addition to chiropractic care, Dr. Lundeberg may also recommend other treatments or therapies to help you recover from your yardwork injury. This may include physical therapy, acupuncture, or nutritional counseling.
If you're experiencing pain or discomfort from a yardwork injury, don't wait to seek treatment. With the help of Dr. Matthew Lundeberg and the team at Centre Chiropractic, you can get the care you need to recover and get back to your favorite outdoor activities.
Conclusion
Spring yardwork can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and stay active, but it can also lead to a variety of injuries. By taking the proper precautions and seeking treatment if necessary, you can minimize your risk of injury and enjoy a safe and healthy spring season.
If you do experience a yardwork-related injury, chiropractic care with Dr. Matthew Lundeberg at the Centre Chiropractic may be an effective treatment option. Contact the Centre Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment and start feeling better.
References:
"Gardening Health and Safety Tips." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Mar. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/outdoor/gardening-health-and-safety-tips.html.
"Gardening: Protect Your Back." American Chiropractic Association, https://acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=69.
"Gardening and Landscaping Injuries." American Society of Hand Therapists, https://www.asht.org/sites/default/files/H00315_Gardening-Landscaping%20Injuries-Rev2017.pdf.
"Preventing Gardening Injuries." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/preventing-gardening-injuries/.
"Chiropractic: In Depth." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth.
