Back Pain Caused by Mowing the Lawn

Push lawnmowers require landscapers to do a certain amount of bending and stooping to handle the steering. Further, vibrations from the machine's motor require you to exert additional force to control the lawnmower while it is in motion. The posture push lawnmowers require places stress on all muscles of the back.

Lawnmower Stance

• Lawnmower operation requires you to lunge forward with your back bent and arms extended forward to push. Rather than using your legs for strength, the posture demands use of your back and shoulders.

Muscle Use

• Back muscles work best in conjunction with the abdomen. Your abdominal muscles are typically not engaged in a helpful way during lawnmower use because you are bent over.

Conditioning for Strength

• Strengthen and stabilize your back by toning your core muscles. Your core consists of the abdominal and lower back muscles. A strong total upper body means a spine that is better supported.

Pain Remedies

• Relaxing the muscles with heat pads will alleviate some pain. Sleep on your side to reduce the strain on your back after mowing the grass.

Minimizing Force

• If you use your lawnmower only when the ground is dry so the wheels pass over it easily, you will feel less strain. A back brace may be useful if you must mow steep inclines or many hills.