Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 3 | Page 25

Warm weather creates an
inviting atmosphere for yard
work. Whether you work hard
to make your yard the envy of
your neighbors or are just trying
to trim the hedges, you should
take precautions to protect your
back? No matter which type of
homeowner you are one thing
holds true - gardening and yard
work can be a real pain!
One of the most common complaints
following a few hours of yard
work is lower back pain. Weeding,
mowing, digging, raking, planting
and mulching can wreck havoc on
your back muscles, and if you’re not
careful it’s easy to strain or pull the
muscles in your back.
“The biggest mistake people make
when working in the yard is not
warming up their bodies prior to
starting,” says Dr. Brian Morrison,
President & Clinical Director of
Morrison Chiropractic and Adjunct
Faculty Member at the University
of Maryland School