4 Steps To Help Avoid Yard Care Injury
The arrival of spring not only brings warm weather, but also the potential for injury! After a long winter our lawns typically need lots of work and doing so can cause musculoskeletal injury to our neck, shoulders, upper and lower back. Just as in sports, poor preparation, improper equipment or poor body posture can increase your chance of injuring your back or other joints.
You can help yourself avoid injury by taking these 4 simple steps:
- Stretch. Just like in sports, one of the best means of injury prevention is to stretch. Spend 10-15 minutes gently stretching your back, shoulders, knees etc. Stretching is a great way to warm up the muscles before you jump into that pile of…dirt!
- Watch Your Posture. Be careful of putting yourself into an awkward position while working. Keep your back straight, avoid bending and twisting with heavy loads.
- Lift Correctly. Many companies stress proper lifting while we are at work, yet we sometimes for get this when we are working around the yard. Make sure you square off to the object, keep your back straight and lift with your legs. Don’t be afraid to ask for help the object is too heavy.
- Use the correct tools. Spend a little extra and get ergonomic designed tools. They have extra padding and redesigned handles or blades that are less strenuous on your muscles and joints.
Following these four simple steps can significantly reduce your chance of injury. Remember, if physical activity is not part of your regular lifestyle, start slow and build up your stamina.
Should you find that you have suffered a yard work injury, call us at (314) 731-4383 to schedule and evaluation.