Raking rules
By ROBYN STUBBS, 24 hours
Raking up those crunchy fall leaves is a great way to spend time in the crisp fall air, but beware the back problems that can result from improper raking technique.
"Raking leaves is a physical activity that can often cause muscle soreness or injury," said Karen Oura of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. "The most common injuries I see are strains to the mid and lower back," because of too much twisting, reaching, bending and lifting.
Here are a few tips from the CPA to keep yourself (and any little helpers) injury-free out in the yard:
Treat raking and yard work like any other moderate form of exercise and do a little warm-up for larger muscle groups, like the shoulders, back and legs, before you hit the grass.
Hold the rake close to your body, and keep one hand near the top for better leverage. Many garden centres sell ergonomic rakes with bent or side handles to help maintain good posture.
Place one foot in front of the other and change sides frequently to avoid twisting too much.
Section off larger areas and do the job in stages, taking breaks in between sections.
Wear loose clothing and well-fitting shoes with good soles to give your back more support and cut down risk of slipping on wet leaves or grass.
