As autumn comes, so do the piles of dried leaves needing to be raked from your front lawn. Not a lot of people look forward to this particular chore, not only because it’s tedious, but also because it can cause some serious back and body pains.
There are, of course, simple ways to minimize the hassle and make raking more efficient and pain free. A local Muncie urgent care center offers the following tips to avoid injuring yourself.
Start with a Warm-up
You may think it is silly to have to warm up when you’re just going to rake some leaves in your yard. However, you’ll be glad you did a bit of stretching before taking hold of the rake. The act of raking leaves involve bending, stretching, reaching, and twisting. These can put a serious strain on your lower back, especially if your muscles are not loosened up.
Move Your LImbs
To put it more eloquently, try to switch sides periodically when holding the rake so that you can better distribute your weight. This way, you are also shifting the strain and pressure in your arms and legs.
Also, it’s important that you stay aware of your stance. Brace your legs apart for better balance and weight distribution, and hold the handle firmly with both hands. Don’t twist your spine to rake leaves to your side. This could easily cause pinched nerves, which can potentially cause pain that travels all the way down to your leg, thereby causing much discomfort. Instead, turn your entire body towards the direction of the area you’ll be raking.
Use the Right Tools
To become more efficient in doing this task, choose a rake that has a compatible height with yours. This way, you won’t have to exert a great amount of effort just trying to control the rake.
If you’re feeling sore to begin with, and simply cannot afford to skip the chore, use a plastic rake instead of a metal one. It still gets the job done, but without the weight.
In the event that you do experience discomfort or prolonged pain, you should visit an urgent care clinic in Muncie, such as U.S. HealthWorks, so you can determine if there’s any serious issue that must be addressed. The sooner you consult with a medical professional, the better and safer it will be for you.
Sources
Raking Leaves: A Cautionary Tales, Consumer Reports
Six Tips for Raking Leaves Like a Pro, HomeFirst
U.S. HealthWorks Muncie-Clara 