How Gardening Affects Your Body

Kensington MD

06 June, 2022

2:27 PM

Description

Gardening involves many repetitive activities such as bending, kneeling, digging, reaching, and carrying. Bending can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. Tips During Gardening Take Breaks When You Garden If you have been in one position for 5-10 minutes, be sure to change the position you are in or move onto something else. Digging When digging, stay close to the hole. Squat with feet separated or one in front of the other. You can also go onto hands and knees. Tips for After Gardening Most gardening is done in a flexed position so you want to end with extension activities, like placing your hands in the small of your back for support and bend backwards.  If you have a foam roller, you can arch over it like in the picture below. Exercise Regular exercise strengthens your muscles and provides support for your joints. Strong core muscles help you maintain good posture while you are gardening and reduce stress on your back, hips, and legs. Getting Help With Physical Therapy Physical Therapy Physical therapy targets strains that result from gardening. You are also taught correct mechanics to safely dig a hole, weed, or prune. With the right combination of the best physical therapy from Wellness Rehabilitation Inc., exercise, and instruction in safe mechanics, you can continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. If you have gardening pain that does not go away or is severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, click here to schedule your FREE 20 minute call to discuss how we can help you. To Your Health, Cynthia Weiss, PT