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Physical Therapist in Casper WY Explains How to Avoid Injuries While Gardening
Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to kick up some dirt and plant seeds and flowers in your yard. Many people turn to gardening to make their backyard a little more beautiful, while others enjoy it because of its proven ability to reduce stress and improve focus. Learn more about the physical and mental benefits of gardening. But, gardening can also lead to a lot of aches and pains if you’re not careful about your posture and positioning. According to a physical therapist in Casper WY, you can avoid gardening pain by following these tips:
Stretch before and after.
Even though gardening is not a strenuous exercise, it does involve putting your body in uncomfortable positions, so it’s recommended that you stretch before and after the activity. Do gentle back bends and leg stretches to loosen the muscles in your lower body and prepare yourself for gardening.
Change positions.
Be mindful of how long you stay in one position so your body doesn’t begin to cramp or get sore. Set a timer on your phone or make it a point to adjust your position after every 10-15 minutes. Even if it’s a slight adjustment, it will help you prevent muscle stiffness, which will lead to aches and pains long after you have finished gardening.
Buy gardening pads.
Kneeling in the dirt can cause a great deal of discomfort. To avoid feeling this pain days later, buy a pair of knee pads designed for people who garden. This will put a cushion between your knees and the dirt, so you can sit comfortably and enjoy gardening.
Use a wheelbarrow.
Don’t try to carry heavy tools or bags of soil or mulch on your own—instead, use a wheelbarrow. But, you must operate the wheelbarrow properly in order to avoid aches and pains. Always keep your back straight when pushing a wheelbarrow, and if you have to strain to get the wheelbarrow to move, it’s too heavy for you. Take something out and try it again instead of putting yourself at risk of an injury.
Don’t bend your wrist upwards.
You may think your back and your knees are the only body parts that can be injured during gardening, but that’s not the case. You also need to be careful about how you bend your wrists while gardening. You should never bend your wrists upwards when pulling weeds or using any of your gardening tools. Keep your wrists straight and in line with your forearm at all times, and if you do have to pull something, use your biceps and shoulders instead.
At North Platte Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping clients prevent injuries and live a pain-free life. But if you do injure yourself, contact North Platte Physical Therapy to learn more about how we can help you recover. Our staff is praised throughout the Wyoming and Nebraska areas for our commitment to our clients. We can fulfill comprehensive physical therapy services, and would be happy to customize a treatment plan for your personal needs.
Stretch before and after.
Even though gardening is not a strenuous exercise, it does involve putting your body in uncomfortable positions, so it’s recommended that you stretch before and after the activity. Do gentle back bends and leg stretches to loosen the muscles in your lower body and prepare yourself for gardening.
Change positions.
Be mindful of how long you stay in one position so your body doesn’t begin to cramp or get sore. Set a timer on your phone or make it a point to adjust your position after every 10-15 minutes. Even if it’s a slight adjustment, it will help you prevent muscle stiffness, which will lead to aches and pains long after you have finished gardening.
Buy gardening pads.
Kneeling in the dirt can cause a great deal of discomfort. To avoid feeling this pain days later, buy a pair of knee pads designed for people who garden. This will put a cushion between your knees and the dirt, so you can sit comfortably and enjoy gardening.
Use a wheelbarrow.
Don’t try to carry heavy tools or bags of soil or mulch on your own—instead, use a wheelbarrow. But, you must operate the wheelbarrow properly in order to avoid aches and pains. Always keep your back straight when pushing a wheelbarrow, and if you have to strain to get the wheelbarrow to move, it’s too heavy for you. Take something out and try it again instead of putting yourself at risk of an injury.
Don’t bend your wrist upwards.
You may think your back and your knees are the only body parts that can be injured during gardening, but that’s not the case. You also need to be careful about how you bend your wrists while gardening. You should never bend your wrists upwards when pulling weeds or using any of your gardening tools. Keep your wrists straight and in line with your forearm at all times, and if you do have to pull something, use your biceps and shoulders instead.
At North Platte Physical Therapy, we’re dedicated to helping clients prevent injuries and live a pain-free life. But if you do injure yourself, contact North Platte Physical Therapy to learn more about how we can help you recover. Our staff is praised throughout the Wyoming and Nebraska areas for our commitment to our clients. We can fulfill comprehensive physical therapy services, and would be happy to customize a treatment plan for your personal needs.