Chiropractor offers leaf raking health tips

     It is that time of year again when the weather gets a little colder and leaves fall abundantly prompting the homeowner’s ritual of pulling out the rakes to begin clearing both the back and the front 40. 

     But when raking lawns, it is important to maintain good spinal health, says Joseph Gulyas, director of Northeast Spine & Wellness  who offers the following tips for the leaf-raking brigade:

·        Raking is like golf—we tend to use our dominant side to do all the work.  But although it’s hard for a golfer, in raking it is advisable to become a switch-hitter to try to rake in both directions. 

·        Rake in small patches, rather than in very large ones involving extending reaching.  A longer-handled rake is preferable, particularly for a person who may be somewhat taller than average. 

·        When bagging leaves, squat down to fill the leaf bag, instead of constantly bending over at the waist, which can cause strain to the lower back muscles and ligaments.  And once filled, lift the bag with your knees, not your back.

·        If possible, use a small cart or wagon to bring the bags to the curb for disposal.

·        Leaf raking tends to be an intense, short-term project not undertaken on a regular basis.  If at all possible, it is best to do the task in smaller increments of time or bring out others to help, in order to make the time for one individual as short as possible.

·        Feeling some strain?  Take a break and stretch out.  If you know you have had problems in the past because of this activity, take preventative action and get at least some basic knee-to-chest stretching done –beforehand.

·        Often a person who has poor body mechanics will not necessarily feel severe pain until much later, maybe even months later, so it is important to utilize a system of stretching for whatever type of activity you are involved with.  Raking the lawn may not be as intense as skiing down a mountain, but the same principles of good body mechanics and stretching are always a good idea.

·        Anyone who does experience intense pain should consult his or her health care practitioner.