While people are normally more active in the Summer, Fall brings lots of yard work that can cause or make your existing back pain worse. Using good ergonomic tools and paying attention to your body’s biomechanics is important.

Fortunately, there are well designed, ergonomic rakes available for those sunny Fall days when you get out and get fresh air while clearing the yard for Winter. Be sure to:

• Drink plenty of water
• Take frequent breaks to rest your back and relax
• Bend at the hips and knees, not your lower back
• Get friends and family involved and make the “chore” social and fun
• Be sure to warm up before raking by walking or doing calisthenics with your arms and legs
• Do gentle stretching of your arms and lower back after raking, open up the hips too
• Don’t twist your body while trying to reach for those leaves “just over there”

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