Oh, our achin’ backs. It’s no surprise that baby boomers who take care of the yard have plenty to complain about when it comes to aches and pains, including problems with backs, shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet. And new research confirms what many of us know to be true — that yard care can be tough on the body, particularly for adults in the baby boomer generation.

A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the number-one lawn care injury among adults is pain from overstrain. And the number of injuries increased with age, peaking between ages 60 and 69, with adults ages 40 to 59 a close second.

“People tend to really overexert themselves,” says Vanessa Costilla, the study’s co-author. The good news? Experts say the majority of those backyard injuries are avoidable. “Using common sense is the top thing people need to remember when it comes to lawn mower safety,” Costilla says.

It’s becoming a bigger issue as baby boomers spend more time working in their yards. The Wall Street Journal even dubbed Boomers the “Mow Your Own generation,” for the growing number of empty-nesters and retirees opting to care for their own lawns and gardens.

No matter your age, taking steps now to put less strain on muscles and joints can help you avoid problems down the road. Here are four ways to help cut down on yard care’s stress and strain:

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Read more » Pages: 1 2