Autumn is a beautiful season. While it’s nice to take a moment to admire the vibrant hues of the fall foliage, your natural next thought is probably about all the yard work you’ll soon have to do. And turning the lawn into a leafless patch of grass is full of physical challenges.
In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks on preventing and managing neck and back pain while doing fall yard work so you can spend more time enjoying the season and less time in pain. But first, let’s identify what exactly can make yard work so tough on your body.
What makes yard work painful?
There are many factors that make fall yard work painful. Here, we’ll shed some light on the demanding aspects of this seasonal task.
Physical exertion
Fall yard work typically involves a range of physically demanding tasks, such as raking leaves, cleaning gutters, pruning bushes, and even hauling heavy bags of yard waste. These activities can strain muscles, leading to soreness and fatigue.
Repetitive motions
Many fall yard tasks require repetitive motions, such as raking leaves or mowing the lawn. Over time, these motions can lead to muscle overuse and strain, contributing to discomfort and pain.
Bending and kneeling
Tasks like planting bulbs, weeding, and tending to flower beds often require prolonged periods of bending and kneeling. These positions can place stress on the back, knees, and joints, leading to discomfort and stiffness.
Weather conditions
Fall weather can be unpredictable, with chilly mornings and sudden temperature drops. Exposure to cold and damp conditions while working outdoors can contribute to muscle tension and discomfort.
Lifting heavy objects
Transporting bags of leaves, branches, and other yard waste can strain the back, shoulders, and arms. Improper lifting techniques can exacerbate this issue, potentially resulting in pain and injury.
Four Ways to Manage Your Pain
Managing pain from yard work is essential to ensure your well-being and make the experience more enjoyable. Here are some effective ways to alleviate and prevent pain:
Warm-up stretching
Treat yard work as if it’s a workout and do a short, gentle warm-up stretch before you begin. To prevent any strain, focus on the muscle groups you'll be using, such as your back, shoulders, and legs. This helps increase blood flow, improve flexibility, and reduce the risk of strain.
Take a break
Take regular breaks to avoid over-exertion. Set a timer and stop to stretch every 20-30 minutes so your muscles don’t get stiff or fatigued.
Better yet, if you notice yard work becoming too much for you, see if someone else can do it instead, whether that’s your partner, child, or neighbour down the street.
Heat/ice sore muscles
If you notice any soreness, apply ice for the first 24-48 hours to reduce inflammation. After that, apply heat to soothe tight muscles.
Pain therapy devices
When tackling the physical demands of fall yard work, consider incorporating advanced pain relief solutions into your routine. Explore the benefits of DR-HO’S pain therapy devices that offer proactive muscle pain alleviation right in the comfort of your home. These cutting-edge technologies utilize electrical nerve and muscle stimulation to provide targeted relief and optimize your ability to handle tasks with ease.
DR-HO’S Neck Pain Pro, the Circulation Promoter, and the Triple Action Back Belt allow you to take a proactive stance against muscle pain during fall yard work by:
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Mitigating discomfort and tension in your neck with the Neck Pain Pro.
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Enhancing blood circulation and aiding muscle recovery with the Circulation Promoter.
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Embracing lumbar support and back pain relief with the Triple Action Back Belt.
The Triple Action Back Belt
The Triple Action Back Belt might be the device best suited for relieving muscle pain related to yard work. The portable device was designed to follow you wherever your pain does — just strap it onto your back to stabilize it. With its built-in TENS Therapy (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology, it relieves tension and back pain by offering a gentle pulse that triggers the controlled contraction and relaxation of your back muscles for an effect you can immediately feel.
Just ask our customer Cathleen: "When I'm doing chores, I actually feel rejuvenated because I'm having the TENS machine go on. It gives me the lumbar support, so I'm able to do [chores] for much longer and without a lot of fatigue and I have no pain at the end of the day."
SHOP DR-HO’S TRIPLE ACTION BACK BELT
Don't fall into pain.
By incorporating this device into your post-yardwork routine, you can enjoy increased comfort, improved performance, and a renewed sense of confidence in your ability to complete the task. Don't let muscle pain hinder your fall yard work – empower yourself with these innovative solutions for a more enjoyable outdoor experience.