Working in the Yard? Beware of These Causes of Back Injuries

With the weather finally beginning to warm up it won’t be long before you’re spending more time in the yard.

As enjoyable as this may be for you, here’s something to remember: an injury will take all the fun out of the experience.

There are many things you can do in your yard that increase the likelihood of a back injury. Here are some activities to approach with great caution:

·      Lifting heavy items. From that flower pot to a bag of soil, if you can’t comfortably lift an item you should wait for help to arrive.

·      Shoveling. Are you shoveling mulch into your bed? Are you digging a hole to plant your favorite flowers? This sounds harmless enough, until you cause an injury.

·      Mowing your lawn. You can put a lot of strain on your back and neck when moving your lawn, especially if you’re using a push power. Be careful of how far you push yourself, as you don’t want this activity to put you on the shelf.

·      Gardening. For example, if you spend a lot of time bending over in your garden, it can eventually lead to a back strain (or a more serious injury).

You shouldn’t avoid working in your yard this spring and summer, but you definitely need to take the necessary steps to prevent an injury.