How to Prevent Garden Injuries With Chiropractic Care
Gardening is a great way to keep active and boost your mental health. It is a low-impact, full-body activity that suits almost any fitness level—with very satisfying results! But did you know that over 300 000 Americans experience gardening injuries each year?
Because gardening engages the whole body, gardening injuries can occur anywhere from your ankles to your neck. The good news is that with a few simple changes and increased awareness, you can tackle your yard work with confidence and grow stronger—without getting hurt!
5 Tips for Preventing Gardening Injuries
Here are some simple ways to avoid the hazards of the gardening world—so you can keep your body (and garden!) in great shape for many years to come.
1. Gear Up!
One of the best ways to prevent injuries while you garden is to use the correct gear. This includes your clothing and tools. So, what should you wear while you garden?
- Lightweight clothing that covers your skin to protect you from sunburn and scratches—which might get infected.
- Gloves to protect your hands
- A hat is essential
- Closed shoes with grip to guard against slipping—an injury risk!
The right tools speed up your progress in the garden and protect your body from awkward positions. For example, a long-handled spade allows you to loosen soil while standing, and garden kneelers or knee pads protect your knees when you kneel.
2. Know your limits
It’s important to know what you can and cannot do in your garden. Respecting your limitations can protect you from unnecessary injuries and help you enjoy your garden for longer. Avoid using new tools or ladders—unless you feel 100% comfortable and confident with them.
Stay hydrated, stay aware of your surroundings, and always listen to your body—it’ll tell you when to slow down. Remember to build up your gardening stamina slowly rather than jumping back in at full speed.
3. Develop a Gardening Rhythm
A great way to reduce strain while enjoying all the benefits of yard work is to create a routine or rhythm that mimics a typical workout. List the tasks you want to accomplish and warm up and cool down with the easy ones. Sandwich the more intense ones in the middle—after you’ve warmed up, but before you’re tired.
Repetitive motions like pruning can lead to muscle spasms. Rotate through various tasks to keep your body moving in different ways. And avoid holding one position for too long—which strains your shoulders, knees, or lower back.
4. Perfect Your Posture
In any activity or sport, how you hold your body impacts your muscles and joints. As you garden, try to keep a neutral (straight) spine. Avoid slouching or twisting and stretch out your back and shoulders when you feel stiff—simply be aware of your body.
Sometimes pain or a past injury prevents you from using the ideal posture while you garden. Unfortunately, this has a domino effect on your other joints as your body compensates for the weakness. If this describes you, it’s time to get some professional help!
5. Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care offers gardeners a holistic approach to health and wellness. Through careful manipulation and gentle massage, your chiropractor realigns your joints and spine to reduce pain, friction, and inflammation. Those dull aches, pains, and stiffness don’t have to keep your green fingers idle anymore.
Your chiropractor can also help identify muscle weaknesses in your body (like your core) and teach you how to strengthen them so that gardening doesn’t hurt anymore. You’ll also learn more about your posture and how to hold and move your body to prevent future injuries.
A trip to your chiropractor might be the best gardening investment you make! Contact Evolve Chiropractic, your local chiropractor in Woodstock, GA, and look forward to years of pain-free gardening ahead!
