Autumn is here! At The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury, we love the cooler weather, apple picking and leaf peeping. While we have beautiful foliage in New England, one of the least favorite fall chores among homeowners is raking leaves. Before rushing to get this task done, prepare your body with the following stretches.
1. Shoulder Circles
Loosen up your arms and get the blood flowing with shoulder circles. Stand with both of your arms out straight and make small circle motions going clockwise and counterclockwise.
2. Frankenstein Stretch
Also called standing leg kicks, this stretch helps open the hips. Stand straight and swing your left leg forward, reaching for your toes with the opposite arm, then repeat on the other leg.
3. Lying Trunk Rotation
To stretch the spine, lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Bring your knees together towards your chest, rotate to one side and hold, then return to the start position and repeat on the other side.
4. Lying Knee Pulls
To further stretch the low back, stay lying down on the floor and extend both legs out. Grab behind one knee and pull it towards your chest, then repeat with the other knee.
5. Standing Chest Stretch
Raking involves repetitive motion, so it’s important to loosen the upper body. To open up the chest, stand in a doorway and place your palms on the outside of the doorframe, then lean forward until you feel a gentle stretch in the front of your chest.
At The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury, we’re passionate about helping patients maintain a healthy lifestyle for all seasons. To schedule an adjustment, contact us today.
