Published: June 22, 2009 09:14 am      

'Oh My Blooming Back!'

Dr. Heather Wright, Democrat Columnist

This time of year is when the frequency of a condition I have dubbed “Oh My Blooming Back!” becomes very prevalent.

That’s right, Americans swarm into their yards, their gardens, and their pastures after a winter of relative inactivity and suddenly contract “Oh My Blooming Back!” If that happens, definitely get in and see your chiropractor as soon as possible. Usually the sooner you address the problem, the easier it tends to be to resolve. I highly recommend not waiting to “see if it goes away.” Better safe than sorry. An even better solution is of course prevention in the first place.

Here are some things to keep in mind while you’re out working on the land:

· Repetition is the Enemy Keep in mind that many activities in the garden are repetitive in nature like raking, hoeing, etc. Continuous repetition can cause injury with the injury slowly building up. This type of injury can sneak up on you, so take regular breaks.

· Warm up While it may seem silly to you, doing simple stretching before, during and after yard activities can be very effective at preventing injuries, especially if you are not used to the exertion. Stretch upper and lower body as well as the spine. 

· Positioning is Everything Concentrate on maintaining a straight back while working at ground level and when using long-handled tools like shovels. Don’t work overhead for long periods of time without rest.

· Keep it Even Keep in mind that alternating sides of the body the work is being done on by shifting from left to right with both arm and leg positions helps reduce fatigue injuries.

• Lift off!  Bend at your knees and hips versus your spine to lift objects.

• Know When You’re Done  If in doubt, quit. If you feel a tightening sensation in your spine, that’s often a “warning shot.” Heed it.

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“Back to Health” is published on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Questions may be sent to Dr. Wright, B.S., D.C., CCEP, 702B Eureka, Weatherford, TX 76086 or by e-mail at hwright@ev1.net.