What the poet John Keats fails to mention is falling leaves. In fact, the SerboCroat for October is ‘listopad’ meaning ‘leaf fall’. And herein lies danger! Falling leaves represent not only an excuse for late running trains, but also a slip hazard. Dog walks, municipal car parks, patio’s and doorsteps are all opportunities for ending up on your posterior. This provides endless possibilities for impact induced back pain, bursitis, tendinitis and even neck pain. If you don’t believe the latter, try jumping up and down with your jaw clenched and you will feel the jarring into your head and neck…and this is when you are expecting an impact!
So, now is the time to abandon any fashion aspirations and put on sturdy shoes having first carefully inspected the sole for effective grip capabilities.
The obvious way of removing the risk is to rake up the leaves in a timely manner. However… the action of bending forward and twisting engages the small facet joints at the base of the spine which they don’t enjoy and shortens the psoas muscle, one of the body stabilisers. This is where you will end up being unable to straighten up at the time, later in the evening or the next morning.
How to avoid this painful condition…?
Keats probably had a gardener to rake up for him. In the absence of this rare and invaluable resource, consider paying a local adolescent in a bedroom crouched over a mobile device. You will improve the finances, work ethic and fitness of this part of the demographic who, one hopes will be paying our pensions in a few years time.
The alternative is a light leaf blower. However, if the attraction of the rake is just too irresistible, alternate sides to which you pull. Keep the activity to 15 minute sessions interspersed with less onerous garden activities (NOT moving patio pots). When you finish, put the kettle on and lie down with something under your head and neck. Draw your knees up to your chest and rock your knees gently from side to side. This decompresses the spine by removing the effects of gravity - sitting will not do!
If nothing has prevented the physical downsides of autumn, we are always here to help.
01444 831576 - admin@puseyosteopaths.com - www.puseyosteopaths.com
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