6 Stretches to Try Before Raking the Leaves
After a summer of hot weather and mowing lawns, we now look forward to the changing colors of the trees and the inevitable downfall of leaves. While this may invoke memories of children making piles of leaves to jump in and enjoy, for those of use with larger trees near our yards, it can mean something much different. Raking is a repetitive task that can cause real aggravation to some of the more vulnerable structures in our lower back and shoulders. Luckily, you can always limit your risk of injury or strain with a proper stretch and warm up before picking up the rake. Here are a few stretches to try:
Squat Mobility and Movement Prep
The squat is one of the most fundamental movements a human needs to be able to perform both in life and in sports. In life we use the squat to sit down and stand up from chairs or going down to the floor to reach for objects. In sport we use squat movements when preparing to jump and land, as well as when getting into an athletic position. The squat is also used in the strength training realm as it has tremendous carry over to all other aspects of sport.
Pins and Needles: What Does Tingling Mean?
You know that feeling when your foot falls asleep? It feels like static, tingling, or pins and needles. When this happens, the feeling usually lasts for a short period of time and goes away quickly. Tingling and numbness is a type of nerve pain that typically subsides with movement of the limb. In this case, the pain is usually due to restricted blood flow. The tingling can feel awkward and unpleasant but it is only temporary. However not all nerve pain is short lived; some tingling or numbness is constant and can be linked to a more serious medical condition.
Stretch of the Week: Assisted Upper Front Body Stretch
Happy Valentine’s Day! For the second week of our partner stretches we will be performing an Assisted Upper Front Body Stretch. You and your partner will feel this stretch in the chest, underarm area and triceps.
Stretch of the Week: Assisted Toe Touch Stretch
Welcome to February, our partner stretch month! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we are going to grab our favorite person and help each other stretch!
Stretch of the Week: Shin Massage with Foam Roller
For January’s last stretch of the week, we will be performing a Shin Massage with a Foam Roller. This is also an abdominal exercise, so you will get two for one with this stretch!
Stretch of the Week: Kneeling Shin Stretch
For the fourth week of January, we will be performing a Kneeling Shin Stretch with a foam roller.
Stretch of the Week: Side Lunge Shin Stretch
For the third week of our shin series we will be performing a Side Lunge Shin Stretch. You will feel this stretch in your inner thigh muscles as well as in the muscles from the bottom of your knee to the top of your foot.
Featured Health Resource
