Chiropractic Tips for Gardening
Now that summer is here, we can unravel our hoses and dust off our garden tools for the anticipation of gardening. As peaceful as this hobby can be it also involves a lot of movement that can feel like you overdid it at the gym, such as twisting, bending, pulling and reaching. Areas that can be affected are our backs, knees, shoulders and even our wrists. It's important to take the necessary precautions during, before and after spending the day gardening.
Stretch, Stretch
Begin your day with stretching your muscles. Whether it's gardening or any activity it's imperative to stretch and warm up the muscles to not cause strain.
Say No to Bending
Many gardeners develop a habit of bending while adding mulch or pulling weeds. It's an easy habit to fall into. Instead of bending aim to kneel. Consider purchasing a special pad for your knees or a stool to make the process easier.
Carrying Heavy Items
From heavy planters to oversized bags of mulch and seed, it's easy to see how gardeners could possibly injure their backs. Chiropractors always recommend lifting with your knees and asking for help when it's needed. Consider getting a cart to transfer items to and from the garden.
Tools
Believe it or not but the tools you use could be the direct cause to your pain. Make sure to try out garden tools so that they are the appropriate size, length and weight for you. Use tools with more cushioning and grips to help with fatigue.
So, whether you are competing with your friendly neighbors for the best garden or simply want to pull weeds from your yard, it's important to pay close attention to your posture and visit Total Health Chiropractic for more help. Our licensed chiropractors can help gardeners and many others improve their spine health. Give us a call today to schedule your next wellness visit or stop by and see us! Walk-ins welcomed, so you can spend more time focusing on that summer garden!
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