Fall brings so many changing colours, but once those beautiful leaves are on the ground, cleaning them up can be a chore. Keeping these tips in mind may help reduce injury while raking: Make sure to wear proper shoes with good grip to minimize the risk of slipping, as well as proper fitting gloves to avoid having to grip the rake too hard. Use proper yard tools and keep from over-reaching and leaning too far forward to help your back out. Switching sides with the rake allows you to share the work between both shoulder and sides of your back. Make sure to bend with your knees when picking up the leaves and bags. Breaks are also helpful, so take a rest when you need it. Don’t try to do too much at once. Divide your yard into sections and work on them over a period of days. Happy raking!
Sarah Bleichert, Physiotherapist, www.prairietrailphysio.ca