PENNSYLVANIA – This fall, 69 News has brought you a fair share of stories that allow you to experience peak fall colors.
But those leaves that are pretty to look at and bring tourists to Pennsylvania are on borrowed time as trees conserve water and energy for the winter days ahead.
Friday’s wind gusts didn’t help either. This weekend you may have looked at your yard and, for the first time this year, thought, is it time to break out the rake?
Dr. Michael Stark with Lehigh Valley Health Network says he sees some specific injuries this time of year.
“The common injuries I see from that are what we call lumbar paraspinal strains. So that’s a version of a muscle strain affecting the lower lumbar spine that can cause a lot of pain or discomfort to patients,” he said.
While raking your yard may become a part of your fall routine, there are some things to remember.
“Try to avoid those three combinations of movements at the same time….that bend, lift, and twist. You have to try to really separate those movements to avoid straining the lumbar spine at the wrong inflection point,” Stark said.
As for ways to prevent injury, taking your time can be beneficial.
“A lot of people’s jobs, you’re sedentary throughout the day, maybe you’re at a desk, you go home, and now you’re about to do this hard yard work, that’s a real shock to the system. So even just a gentle warm-up, whether it’s a brisk walk or just starting that yard work, start a little slow and then ease into it,” he recommends.