Putting Up Hurricane Shutters Without Wrecking Your Back

Every June, homeowners across Lighthouse Point and Pompano Beach start eyeing the stack of aluminum panels in the garage. Shutters are heavy, awkward and usually installed in a hurry when a storm track shifts. That combination of rushing, reaching overhead and carrying odd-shaped loads is a recipe for a strained back or shoulder.

Why shutter day is hard on the body

Storm panels are long and thin, so they are hard to hold close to your trunk. You end up carrying them out in front of you, twisting to line up bolts, then lifting them above shoulder height on a ladder. Muscles that sat quietly all summer are suddenly asked to do repetitive, loaded work in the heat.

Practical ways to make it easier

• Do a dry run early. Label each panel and its window before the season starts, so you are not sorting through the pile under pressure.
• Carry with a partner. Two people on a long panel keep it level and close to the body.
• Turn your feet, not your spine. Step around to face the window instead of twisting at the waist while holding the panel.
• Keep the ladder close. Move it often rather than leaning out sideways to reach the last bolt.
• Take breaks and drink water. Fatigue and heat make careless movements more likely.

If something tweaks

A mild ache after a long day of physical work is common. Pain that lingers, spreads into a leg or arm, or comes with numbness or weakness https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1hU7n4_jOkrRuL6jliBxe1GY49JqiIts deserves a proper look. At McNamara Chiropractic Center, Dr. Carol McNamara-Krauss, DC starts with a conversation about what happened and a hands-on exam of how your spine and shoulders are moving. She explains what she finds in plain language and tells you honestly whether chiropractic care looks like a good fit, or whether another provider should be involved.

Depending on the exam, a plan might include chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic ultrasound or massage with Dawn Marie Teufel, LMT. Plans are personalized, and no particular result can be promised.

When not to wait

A fall from a ladder, a blow to the head, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe pain after an injury are reasons to seek emergency care right away.

The office is on US-1 between Sample Road and Copans Road, in the same building as State Farm and across from Publix. Parking is free out front, and the entrance is on the side.

McNamara Chiropractic Center

3320 North Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064(954) 902-6371

General information only, not medical advice. A personal evaluation is needed to know what is right for you.