After a miserable and wet winter (and a pretty chilly spring), the weather has really warmed up! Many people (including my other half), are looking forward to getting being back in the garden and getting their hands dirty, but sometimes doing too much, too soon in the garden can cause back pain!
Most of the painful conditions I see are typically avoidable. If you struggle with poor mobility in the spine, hips or ankles then preventing back pain in the garden when bending or squatting is essential. The risk is increased further if you also spend a long period of time in one position or doing the same repetitive task under load. Here are some top tips to help you prevent back pain in the garden:
Don’t start with heavy-duty gardening.
Warm up with the lighter jobs, like mowing the lawn, or gentle sweeping or raking. When warmed up and moving well, then move on to something else a little more challenging.
Mix it up.
It is important to vary your activity every 30 minutes or so rather than be in one position for too long. Staying in one position can cause the joints and tissues to adapt and stiffen up, causing increased risk of pain or injury when moving again. Varying your activity can minimise this.
If you are laying a patio or doing any heavy lifting,
Keep the object close to your body and bend through your knees and hips. It is sometimes better to bend one knee rather than two to pick up or move objects (also known as a ‘golfers lift’) as your supporting leg gives you a position of strength.
If you are having any problems or gardening causes you back pain, then Chiropractic care could help. This may be in the short term for symptomatic relief, or with long term preventative or maintenance care to maintain good movement and function.
No matter what your problem, we will look to help you to address any underlying causes, empowering you in improving and maintaining your health.
We can help you to achieve better health. Why not come and see what our chiropractors and massage therapists in Stafford and Newport can do for you. We look forward to seeing you.
Chris Mallett
Principal Chiropractor
Pure Health Chiropractic & Wellness (Stafford and Newport)