Spring has sprung and that means it’s time to start working on your garden! Gardening can be a relaxing way to enjoy warm weather, but it can also lead to back injuries for those with chronic pain.
At Dynamic Health, we do whatever we can to ensure your spring is as happy and pain-free as possible. That’s why we put together five tips to help you garden safely!
- Stretch
Gardening can be a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, it’s easy to forget it can also be physically demanding. Before gardening, do some simple warm up and stretching exercises to limber up and prevent muscle injury.
- Plan Ahead
There are many ways to structure your garden that limits the amount of labor you’ll need to maintain it. For example, you can use raised planters for your flowerbeds to prevent back injuries from bending over too far. Also, using weed-barriers like mulch can reduce the amount weeds – and reduce the amount of weeding you’ll need to do!
- Use Proper Form
Many gardening related injuries occur after improperly performing simple activities. For example, always lift a heavy bag of mulch or a large plant by bending your knees and using your leg muscles instead of your back. Another common injury happens while bending over to weed the garden. A simple solution to reduce back strain is to sit on a bucket while weeding and to change positions often.
- Take a Break
When working in the hot sun, it’s easy to become dehydrated or exhausted. Listen to your body – don’t strain yourself by working for too long. Gardening is about enjoying the outdoors and getting a little exercise – it’s not a race! Take your time and take frequent water breaks.
- Have the Right Tools
If you are suffering from arthritis or hand pain, be sure to use gardening tools with big, easy-to-grip handles. Another great tool for your garden is a good kneeling pad to protect your knees. Also, every gardener should be equipped with gloves and a big floppy sun hat for added protection – and style!
Treatment for Back Injuries
For people living with chronic pain, light exercise like gardening can be highly beneficial if done properly. Use these five tips to safely garden and enjoy nature this spring!
Call 704-525-6288 today to reserve your time with one of our pain management providers! We offer new client appointments within one to three days, and we are one of the only pain management clinics to provide image-guided injections!
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