Prevent Back Injury While Gardening This Spring!

Spring is here, for most of us anyways and it is time to start digging, planting and making the garden look beautiful once again.  So, how can you make gardening, during this most magnificent time of year, a good experience?

Raising your flowerbeds can make it easier by reducing the need to bend down to the ground.  The height of a raised bed is completely up to the gardener’s need and if you add a border around the flowerbed it gives you a nice place to sit while working.

To prevent back injury during gardening it is important to know the proper way to work while standing or kneeling in the yard. Remember to bend with the knees, not from the waist.  Let gardening tools do the job for you and choose tools that have longer handles and are lightweight to help aid you.  Ask for assistance from others whenever lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy items.

You may also find it helpful to stretch during and after yard work.  And if you can keep your flowerbeds closer to your home then it could mean less walking, lugging of soil and tools and generally less exertion you have to put forth.

Watch Your Form!

Make sure you let your larger muscles do the work and keep heavy items close to your body when you're lifting and carrying. Stand and sit with good posture so you aren't nursing neck pain at night or risking injury while you are working.  Whether you have an injury or are trying to prevent injury from occurring chiropractic care is ideal for anyone at any age.