Enjoy Gardening This Summer
Top tips to avoid injury in the garden with Swindon Chiropractic Clinic
With the weather getting nicer and warmer, more and more people are heading out to get their garden ready.
Gardening is a great way to keep fit but as with all physical activity there is the possibility of injury, so we got in touch with Sophie Pakenham at Swindon Chiropractic Clinic who offers a few helpful tips to make sure you continue to enjoy gardening problem free!
Top Tips To Avoid Injury In The Garden
1. As gardening is a form of physical activity, a warm up is required. This can be as simple as starting with lighter jobs first to get everything moving before starting on the heavy, more strenuous jobs. At the end of the session remember to take the time to stretch off too.
2. Move your feet! Don’t combine twisting and lifting as this is one of the most common causes of back injuries. Perform the movements as two separate smaller movements to reduce the chance of injury.
3. Know your limits! If you can’t reach something, don’t reach and twist and risk injuring something. Get long handled secateurs, move as close as you can to the job or even get a ladder. When using secateurs make sure you keep your wrist straight so the wrist joint has the maximum support when cutting.
4. If you are moving plant pots or garden furniture around remember to bend with your knees when lifting and keep your back straight.
5. When weeding get down to the level of your work on your hands and knees rather than being bent over double. If you are on your knees, limit yourself to 30 minutes in this position before getting up and moving as kneeling compresses the knee joints.
6. Hydrate & protect yourself! Especially if you are doing work in the sun, remember to drink plenty and wear the appropriate SPF sun cream.
If you do feel a twinge whilst gardening have a break and move around. If the pain doesn’t go use an ice pack on the painful area wrapped in a thin layer of cloth for about 20 minutes and keep mobile.
And if you have any lingering aches or pains following a session of gardening, give Swindon Chiropractic Clinic a call! They'll keep you moving!
About Swindon Chiropractic Clinic
Swindon Chiropractic Clinic have treated over 28,000 people since opening in 1982. They offer a safe, effective hands-on treatment which gets straight to the cause of the pain.
Swindon Chiropractic Clinic
