Fall is finally in full swing. With this change in season comes some of our favorite things: pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin carving! Beyond their festive charm, all these seasonal staples share one thing in common — pumpkins. Pumpkins are the centerpiece of autumn, but they can also be quite heavy — carving pumpkins average 12 to 20 pounds! Lifting, carrying, or setting them down the wrong way can trigger arthritis and joint pain. To help avoid pesky aches and pains, use these tips to pick up and move your pumpkins safely with ease.
Pumpkin Prep
It is always a good idea to warm up your muscles before doing any kind of lifting, especially if you experience arthritis pain. Light stretches or hip twists can be a great way to limber up before trying to pick up a pumpkin. You should also make sure that you know where you are going to put the pumpkin down before you pick it up. Ensure that you have a clear, safe path to your end goal and an unobstructed line of vision. A few moments of preparation can help you move your pumpkin safely from point A to point B.
Pumpkin Pick-Up
When it comes time to actually lift your pumpkin, keep a few things in mind. First, spread your feet apart, to about shoulder width, to give yourself a wide base of support. Stand as close to the pumpkin as possible and bend down, hinging at the knees. Engage your core and wrap your arms firmly around the gourd, holding it close to your body. Once you are sure you have a good grip on the pumpkin, stand back up, making sure not to lean forward.
While you have the pumpkin in the air, do not lift it above shoulder level. Keep your core engaged and keep breathing normally. Whenever you change directions, do so with your feet first and keep your shoulders and hips in-line with each other. Never twist, make sure to turn with your whole body. Taking care with each movement you make will help you to avoid triggering the symptoms of arthritis.
Pumpkin Put-Down
When putting down a heavy pumpkin, keep your head up and straight with your shoulders back. This posture will help keep your back straight, too. Squat to set the pumpkin down, once again bending at the knees and hips. It is only once you have put the pumpkin down completely that you should stand back up again.
Even with careful lifting, those with arthritis or joint pain may still feel discomfort afterward. To help you find arthritis pain relief, Boiron offers the Arnicare Arthritis line. Arnicare Arthritis Cream combines two pain relievers in one formula for dual action pain relief where you need it most. It’s scientifically formulated with Arnica and Devil’s Claw, which work together to reduce minor stiffness, soreness, and joint pain of arthritis.* It is suitable for use on all joints and is fragrance-free and absorbs quickly. Arnicare Arthritis Tablets relieve minor joint pain and stiffness worsened by damp weather, heat, motion, immobility, or at night.* The tablets are powered by plant-based and other pure active ingredients, have no known drug interactions, and can be taken at the onset of minor flare-ups. The cream and the tablets can be used together for complementary relief.
Autumn is for festive activities and fun, not for aches and arthritis pains. These tips can help to stave off potential aches. However, they may not work for everyone. If you are already dealing with arthritis, it can be more difficult to remain pain-free. When pain does strike, use Arnicare Arthritis to relieve it.
For more information about Arnicare Arthritis and the Arnicare family of medicines, check out Arnicare.com.
*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.
