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It’s that time of the year and one thing we’re starting to notice more at SYNERGY is gardening related aches and pains! As many of you may know gardening can at times be quite the workout, and is a wonderful way to stay active and get some fresh air and sunshine at the same time. However, it can also be hard on your body, especially your back if you’re not careful.
Whether you’re planting flowers, pulling weeds, or digging holes, gardening requires a lot of bending, kneeling, and lifting, which can lead to a lot of back pain and stiffness, muscle strains, and other injuries.
Here are some tips for taking care of your body and spine while gardening:
Just like with any exercise, it’s important to warm up your muscles before you start gardening. Do some light stretching exercises or take a short walk to get your blood flowing and your muscles warmed up.
Using the right tools can make a big difference in how much strain you put on your body. Choose tools that are the right size and weight for you, and that are designed to make gardening easier, such as long-handled tools that allow you to stand upright while working.
Gardening can be hard work, so it’s important to take breaks from the same repeated position and rest your body when you need to. Take a break every 20-30 minutes to stretch, walk around, or just sit and relax for a few minutes.
When you’re lifting heavy objects, such as bags of soil or large plants, use proper lifting techniques to avoid straining your back. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight, and lift with your legs rather than your back.
Don’t spend too much time doing any one task, such as digging or weeding. Alternate between different tasks to avoid overusing certain muscles and putting too much strain on your body.
Gardening can be hot and sweaty work, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and your muscles working properly.
After you’re finished gardening, take some time to cool down and stretch your muscles. This will help prevent stiffness and soreness later on.
By following these tips, you can enjoy all the benefits of gardening while taking care of your body and spine. And if you do experience back pain or other injuries while gardening, don’t hesitate to contact us at SYNERGY for help; we’re quite used to dealing with pain and injuries of this nature and best to nip it in the bud early (no pun intended!).
