Gardening is a beautiful way to get exercise, create physical beauty, and connect with nature’s life cycle. The unwanted harvest of this activity may be back pain. Here are a few tips to prevent injury:
- Warm up before you begin by taking a quick walk or marching in place. Follow this with a few gentle stretches.
- Practice mindfulness. If you experience a back or neck pain, take a break from the position you are in, stretch, and reassess how you are feeling.
- Avoid kneeling on both knees. Keep one foot on the ground use knee pads.
- Alternate positions often to prevent stiffness.
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight while engaging your abdominal muscles when you lift soil or pull weeds.
- End your gardening session with a short walk or some light stretching. Take a warm bath or shower to help prevent next-day soreness.
- If you experience pain, contact your physical therapist.
- Enjoy your efforts while cooling down with light stretching. Smell the roses!
