We tend to be more sedentary in chillier weather because it’s more difficult to leave the comfort of our warm homes. The nice weather sets the stage for more outdoor physical activity, from hiking to trips to the pool. Most people are more active in the summertime. Continuing to exercise or put pressure on pain can make it worse. Definitely be sure to stop and rest if you start feeling sharp pain while working. Instead of putting your body through the ringer all day, it’s perfectly okay to take a break to recharge or even spread tasks out over several days. If you can, break up the work into shorter sessions. This puts your body under a lot of strain and can lead to injury. If you have a lot of outdoor yardwork to get done, don’t try to cram it all into all into one 12-hour yard work session. If you start feeling stiff in the midst of your work, try doing stretches for a few minutes. Muscle stiffness is tied to many muscle injuries. Warming up can also quicken your recovery time, meaning that after your weekend yard work, you don’t have to dread feeling sore until Thursday. Another good warm-up is a simple short walk to promote circulation. Doing some light stretches to loosen up your muscles and limbs beforehand can be helpful in preventing injuries or placing extra strain on your body. But did you know it can be beneficial to warm up before any physical activity? Even if you’re just hanging holiday lights or raking the leaves, you’re still using muscles and moving through a wide range of motion. Most people associate warm-ups with strenuous exercise, like stretching before a long run. Several basic pointers to keep in mind: keep your spine straight lift heavy objects with your legs (don’t bend at the waist and round your back when picking up heavy items) wear appropriate shoes for physical activity don’t twist when lifting and don’t sit, stand, or lay in positions that strain your neck. Whether you’re pulling boxes of holiday decorations out of the attic, doing yard work, or washing windows, maintaining correct form is important. If you do experience pain or discomfort, call Texas Spine Clinic at 21 for expert chiropractic and pain relief services! Keep Proper Formīack, neck, and shoulder pain are frequently brought on by poor posture or injuries caused by both light and strenuous activity. Follow our tips to stay safe, healthy, and injury-free this season. As trees shed their leaves and autumn sports leagues start up, don’t forget to take care of your muscles, bones, and joints! Our chiropractic office gets many calls from injured athletes and people who pull a muscle clearing leaves from the gutter. September 23 marked the first official day of fall, which means we are officially beginning our journey into autumn, no matter how warm it still is outside.