Yard clean up can pose risk

Seattle Hill Physical Therapy Owner/Director Rick Jusko, PT sees lots of injuries caused by yard work. "People are cold, they’re stiff and they don’t want to kneel down so they bend at the waist and yank on plants and hurt their backs. They prune with their arms  way above the head, which can cause neck joint  and shoulder pain," he said.

In less than an hour Rick can teach you the muscle mechanics to prevent shoulder injuries and other injuries common to yard work.

“The American Physical Therapy Association dreams that people will get a little physical therapy BEFORE they attack the fall clean-up instead of coming to us with injuries that could easily have been prevented,” says Rick.

So, before you spread that mulch, prune those trees or pull up weeds and plants stop by for some instruction. You’ll be glad you did.

© 2010 eClinic Solutions

Backpack tips prevent spine and shoulder problems

♦ Wear both straps
Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing two shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed.

♦ Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles
Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. Straps should not be too loose, and the backpack should not extend below the low back.

♦ Lighten the load
Keep the load at 10-15% or less of the child’s bodyweight. Carry only those items that are required for the day. Organize the contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest items closest to the back. Some students have two sets of books so as not to have to carry the heavy books to and from school.

♦ How a Physical Therapist Can Help
Your Seattle Hill physical therapist can help improve posture problems, correct muscle imbalances, and treat pain that can result from improper backpack use. Physical therapists can also design individualized fitness programs to help children get strong and stay strong---and carry their own loads!

Active families make “Smart Moves”

This month physical therapists nationwide are urging families to make physical activity part of a daily routine to prevent and combat obesity, and to promote healthy lifestyles as part of National Physical Therapy Month. To kick off the effort the American Physical Therapy Association has launched its “Smart Moves” campaign to make an active lifestyle part of the family lifestyle.

Physical Therapist Rick Jusko, Seattle Hill Physical Therapy, says parents should make physical activity part of the family culture.