As leaves come down across the Rivertowns, new injury figures show how often raking ends in a hurt back, and an Ardsley pain practice explains which pain should ease on its own.
Fall leaves are coming down across Ardsley and the Rivertowns, and for many households that means weekends with a rake. New figures suggest the chore deserves more respect than it gets. About 7,700 people landed in the emergency room in 2025 with leaf raking injuries, according to a LawnStarter analysis updated on October 8, 2026, and about 1 in 5 raking-activity ER visits involve the back.
The analysis describes raking as moderate-intensity exercise, closer to doubles tennis than sweeping the porch. The most common problems it lists are lower back strain and sprain from bending, twisting or lifting heavy, wet leaf piles, shoulder and neck strain from repeating the same motion, and knee and hip discomfort from kneeling or squatting while bagging leaves.
Most of these strains ease on their own. A chiropractor quoted in the LawnStarter piece says some muscle soreness for a day or two is perfectly normal, and names the signs that concern him more: pain that feels sharp instead of achy, pain that travels into an arm or leg, numbness, tingling or weakness, and pain that keeps worsening after 48 to 72 hours.
Metro Pain Centers treats low back pain, herniated discs, sciatica, neck pain, pinched nerves, knee pain and hip pain at its Ardsley practice, located at 1 Bridge St., 1st Floor, Ardsley, NY 10502. A first visit starts with a comprehensive evaluation: the pain specialist reviews medical history, imaging studies and prior treatments, then performs a focused physical examination to pinpoint the anatomical source of the pain.
When a back strain does not settle, the practice offers image-guided, minimally invasive procedures, including epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation, performed with fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. According to the practice, most procedures take 15 to 30 minutes, and patients rest briefly and leave the same day. The Ardsley practice is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with care in English, Spanish, Punjabi and Hindi.
"A long Saturday with the rake is a real workout, and the back usually lets you know by Sunday. Soreness that fades over a couple of days is normal. Pain that shoots down a leg, comes with numbness or tingling, or is still getting worse a few days later is a different story, and it is worth having it evaluated before it costs you a season of sleep and the things you enjoy," said a spokesperson for Metro Pain Centers.
Pain Management Checklist
- Warm up with a 5-minute walk and gentle stretches for the neck, shoulders, hips and hamstrings before you start
- Bend at the knees, not the waist, whenever you pick up a pile or a bag
- Switch your lead hand every few minutes and take a break every 20 to 30 minutes, even if you feel fine
- Use a tarp to drag leaves to the curb, and do not overfill bags with wet leaves
- Have pain evaluated if it travels into a leg, brings numbness or tingling, or keeps worsening after 48 to 72 hours
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or lightheadedness while raking is an emergency: stop and call 911
Book a Consultation
Patients can learn more about pain management at the Ardsley practice online or call (862) 238-8250.
About Metro Pain Centers
Metro Pain Centers is a physician-led pain management practice with 12 locations in New Jersey and New York. Its Ardsley, New York practice at 1 Bridge St., 1st Floor serves Ardsley and nearby Westchester communities. Board-certified physicians treat back, neck, joint and nerve pain with image-guided, minimally invasive procedures, including epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation, alongside physical therapy and PRP therapy. The practice was founded by Dr. Rahul Sood, D.O., who is double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. Care is offered in English, Spanish, Punjabi and Hindi. More information is at metropaincenters.com.