One of the great joys of autumn and the leadup to Halloween is heading out to your favorite pumpkin patch and picking out a perfect candidate for your jack-o-lantern. But if you don’t use good posture while picking your pumpkin, you may wind up in a world of hurt. Poor posture can cause injuries, but performing exercises and practicing good form can prevent you from feeling pain at the pumpkin patch.
Good Posture for Pumpkin Picking
It doesn’t matter whether you’re gathering up mini pumpkins to decorate your dinner table or hauling in a huge one for your jack-o-lantern: If you don’t use good posture, you can hurt your back. Improper lifting technique can lead to pinched nerves and herniated discs, so it’s crucial that you practice good posture when picking out a pumpkin.
When lifting, you should always bend down to grab an item rather than bending forward. If you bend forward and round your back, you’re more likely to hurt yourself. Instead, crouch down while keeping your back somewhat rigid, letting your hips and legs do the brunt of the work.
As you lift your pumpkin, keep your body straight in the same direction. Twisting or turning to the left or right can also cause an injury. And once you have the pumpkin secured, make sure to hold it no higher than chest level if it’s especially heavy.
Good Posture Exercises to Try This Fall
If you want to establish or strengthen your posture, there are several exercises that are good for the job. With picking a pumpkin in mind, squatting and deadlifting can both help promote good posture while strengthening your legs, back, and core. Good posture and form are also critical if you’re doing these exercises, so practice getting it right before you try doing these exercises with weights.
There are also several yoga moves that are good choices for building strong posture, including the cat-cow and bridge pose. In general, making yoga part of your daily routine is a solid choice for your holistic health because it promotes stress relief and can help you prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Build Good Posture With Preferred Chiropractic of Midland
Good posture is important for picking a pumpkin, but you also need it to get through your day without pain. If you’d like to improve your posture and your holistic health, schedule your next appointment with Preferred Chiropractic of Midland in Midland, MI. Call us at (989) 837-5998 to learn about the benefits of chiropractic care, massage, and more.