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Expert Tips Make Raking Up Safer
Raking the leaves can
provide good exercise and a chance to enjoy the autumn weather,
but it can also result in back strain and sore muscles.
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association offers the following
tips to keep raking risk-free:
- If you have a heart condition or other medical problems,
talk to your doctor before raking.
- Wear well-fitting shoes with good soles that will prevent
slipping.
- Do stretches and warm-up exercises before you start raking.
- When raking, hold the rake handle close to your body to help
maintain good posture. Keep one hand near the top of the rake
handle for better leverage. Use your arms and legs more than
your spine when raking. Ergonomic rakes can help reduce the
strain on your body.
- Change sides frequently while raking and avoid twisting at
the waist.
- Pace yourself and take frequent breaks and/or change to a
different activity.
- When bagging leaves, lift manageable loads and keep your
back straight and use your legs to do the lifting. If you have
to stoop to pick up leaves, face the pile of leaves and don't
twist as you lift.
- Don't pile too many leaves into one bag -- especially if
they're wet.
- When you finish for the day, do cool-down exercises
The American College of Emergency Physicians offers more lawn
and garden safety tips .
SOURCE: Canadian Physiotherapy Association, news release, Sept.
20, 2005
Reference
Source 62
October
15,
2005
For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
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