Chiropractic-Approved Gardening Tips
By Sara Butler
Working in your garden is a great way to get outside, exercise, and make your home look beautiful. But it’s not without its risks! You can love working in your garden or you can hate it with the fiery passion of a thousand suns, but that doesn’t change the precautions you should take when doing garden or yard work. Here are some tips to help you take care of your spine in the garden approved by the chiropractors at The Joint!
Prevention is the Best Approach
Prepare your body for working in the garden or yard as you would for any exercise -- because rest assured, it’s exercise. That means before you go out and start digging, you should stretch. Stretching appropriately before you start working can save you back pain later. So, sit down on your front steps and put your legs out in front of you, then stretch forward as you reach for your toes. Hold this for 20 seconds. Next, give yourself a big hug and move your torso from side to side. Your neighbors might wonder what on earth you’re doing, but you know that you’re saving your back!
The chiropractors at The Joint also recommend you take a short walk before getting started in the garden. Walk around your house a couple of times to help loosen up your legs and lower back to help prevent strain. Swing your arms along the way for added stretch.
While You Work
To help reduce the risk of injury, you should make sure to change positions often. Don’t get bogged down in one posture for too long or you run the risk of succumbing to an overuse injury. If you’re doing something such as raking, switch sides often. Move around.
It’s also important not to carry too much stuff at once. Lifting properly is paramount to staying healthy, so lift with your knees and legs, never your back. Hold heavy objects close to your body as you walk with them and avoid twisting your torso when carrying something.
If you have a cart or wheelbarrow in use, you should push instead of pulling. This helps to reduce stress and strain on your back and will reduce your chance of injury too.
Working in your garden is a pleasure, but protect your back and your health as you do it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.