05/18/2023
If you have gardening on the mind this weekend, please take the time to prepare your body as much as your garden beds.
The following was prepared by the Ontario Chiropractic Association as a guide for gardening safely:
It’s time to get set to garden. Gardening is a great way for you to stay active and have fun in the sun. Unfortunately, many Ontarians sustain gardening injuries that can be easily prevented.
Gardening Dos
• Kneel, don’t bend to plant.
• Change your body position often.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Alternate between light and heavy chores.
• Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated!
• Warm up with 5 to 10 minutes of gentle activity that gets you moving, like a short walk or even walking on the spot.
How to Lift Right
• Keep your back straight and bend your knees.
• Carry the load close to your body.
• Avoid heavy lifting immediately after bending or kneeling.
Stretch Before and After
Before you get started, repeat each of the following stretches five times if possible. If your time is tight, select and repeat the stretches that help you the most. Then, after gardening, use some or all of these stretches to cool down.
Upper Body Stretches
For Your Sides, Arms and Shoulders:
1. Extend your right arm over your head.
2. Bend to the left from your waist.
3. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.
4. Hug yourself snugly to stretch your arms.
For Your Back:
1. In a seated position, bend forward from your hips, keeping your head down.
2. Reach for the ground.
Lower Body Stretches
For Your Thighs:
1. Face a wall or tree and support yourself against it with one arm.
2. Bend your right knee and try to hold your ankle or pant leg with your left hand.
3. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.
For Your Hamstrings:
1. Stand.
2. Reach your hands to the sky.
3. Then bend at your waist and reach toward your toes.
4. Hold for 15 seconds.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
If, in spite of all precautions, you do experience back pain or a muscle strain that lasts for more than two or three days, consider visiting a chiropractor. Your chiropractor can help you get back to doing the things you enjoy, like gardening.
A chiropractor is a regulated, community-based, health care professional, who provides patient-centred, non-invasive, hands-on care. They’re experts in assessing, diagnosing and treating spine, muscle, joint and related nerve conditions/injuries, as well as helping prevent them. Treatment may include various therapies, such as spinal manipulation therapy (adjustment), therapeutic exercise, acupuncture, and lifestyle counselling, as appropriate to the diagnosis.
As an experienced gardener with plans to do some gardening of my own this weekend I have been on both sides of the treatment table at this time of the year. Let's make good choices and pace ourselves, but remember to seek care when we need it.
Have fun and keep active!
