If household chores are giving you neck and back pain, Chiropractor Claire O'Neill suggests working in short stretches, investing in lightweight cleaning equipment, and remembering to bend at the knees.
- Know your appliance. Use your appliance the correct way, taking advantage of its attachments and special features. For example, when vacuuming, don't push the vacuum too far away from your body, and use the attachments to clean under and around things. Check that you are using the correct level for the type of floor you are vacuuming, since the wrong level can make the machine difficult to push.
- When doing laundry, try to avoid twisting and turning while carrying a load. Carry clothes to the machine in a basket, holding it close to your body. Unload the clothes into the washer after placing the basket up high on the dryer, rather than lifting heavy loads up from the floor. When loading the dryer, transfer wet clothes to basket, lowering the basket to the floor by squatting, and unload the basket into the dryer from the floor.
- Try not to carry umpteen white plastic grocery bags on one arm. This requires a lot of arm strength and can strain the neck and shoulders as well. Instead, hold the bag from the bottom and keep it close to your body.
Guests Dr. Claire O'Neill
Chiropractor, Glen Feliz Chiropractic Associates
3171 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Phone: 323-662-2891
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