According to the calendar summer and warmer temperatures are just around the corner, which means people will get the itch to be outdoors.  Thus begins the yard work routine of cleaning up and planting.  While the increase in activity certainly is beneficial to mind and body, plus the benefits of being outdoors, at Alliance Physical Therapy we typically treat a few over-zealous gardeners who've experienced a muscle strain or lifting injury.  Time spent on the ground cleaning out flower beds and prepping soil can also create some unwanted stiffness and soreness in the neck, shoulders, hips, knees and low back.  Many potential injuries can be avoided by simply listening to your body and using common sense.  Make sure that with any work task that you do not stay in the same position for a prolonged period of time, especially sitting in awkward positions on the ground.   Always be cautious with lifting and carrying bags and buckets.  Remember to keep the object you are lifting close to your body, and to use your legs to lift from the ground and to avoid bending forward to lift objects.  Furthermore, when mowing, make sure that you maintain good upright posture with your head up.  It is habit to look down at the row, but this promotes bending forward and straining the neck, shoulders, and low back.  There are, of course, many other things to consider with yard work tasks but keeping these simple ideas in mind will help to reduce injury potential and certainly help to reduce soreness and stiffness.  If you find yourself a "casualty" of getting out in the yard, the professionals at Alliance Physical Therapy are here to help!

Yours in health,

Matt