Spring is on its way
So are you getting geared up for gardening? Although a stress reliever for many people spending hours bent over in the garden makes you a bit more vulnerable to injuries.
Gardening injuries range from low back pain from leaning forward doing the weeding, to aching shoulders from pruning. Of course, there are always the more unusual injuries, like stepping onto the rake and smacking yourself on the forehead, but it’s pretty difficult for me to help you with that.
So here are a few reminders:
Always begin with a warm up: Take a brisk walk around the garden first, or just wriggle around a bit. Get those joints moving.
Change activities every 10 minutes: Don’t get stuck on a single task for hours. Vary your activities from digging to planting; pruning to weeding; raking to hacking shrubs back. That way you engage different muscle groups.
Use long-handled tools: This should help minimise all the bending or stretching.
NEVER use bendy canes or sticks to support you when switching positions from kneeling to standing.
Lift with your knees and a straight back: Don’t lift those huge soil-filled flower pots or sacks full of landscaping stones if they are too heavy. If you think you’ve picked up something that might hurt your back – drop it. There’s no need to be a hero in the garden.
Take a break and listen to your body: As soon as you get that achey feeling that tells you you’ve done too much, just stop what you’re doing.
Don’t stand on the rake!
Gardening is a fantastic thing to do, but it is worth taking precautions to keep you injury free.
If you do find you have overdone it, or have any gardening related aches or pains, then let us know. We have an osteopath working weekdays and Sundays in Hove.
You can call on 01273 771441 or book online.