High Back Injury Rate
This time of year, more patients come in to our clinic with acute low back pain than in any other season. Most low back injuries are the result of the same folksy, fresh-air activity—gardening. At Back Clinics of Canada, we see increased incidences of sciatica, bulging discs and herniated discs.
Whether bedding delicate new flowers or taking on major landscaping work, gardening is physically engaging and calls for bodily respect; i.e. looking after your physical health.
How To Protect Your Back While Gardening
Stretching and maintaining proper posture are two of the best things you can do to avoid injury later. Here we will focus on stretching. Head to toe: your neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, thighs, calves and ankles. Even your wrists need attention!
Below are 4 main reasons that people don’t stretch before, during or after gardening.
Gardening Isn’t Really Exercise
A common misperception is that gardening is genteel work undertaken by ladies wearing large hats. It is in fact a heavily physical activity. Gardening involves kneeling and hunching over, heavy lifting and turning, reaching and stretching unnaturally, hauling and dragging, digging, working with awkward tools.
Don’t Have Time
Life is busy. Carving out time for an activity like gardening may promote a desire to “get in and get out”. People try to get the work done in the shortest time possible. And they are prone to cut corners wherever possible. This is a perfect scenario for getting injured.
Stretching is for Other People
People too often would rather jump into gardening work than ease into it (see above). Also there is a belief that stretches and warm-ups are only for real athletes, or for people who are injured. Big mistake. We all need to respect our bodies and prepare ourselves in order to avoid strain while gardening.
I’m Basically Fit and Flexible Already
Gardening just doesn’t compare to long runs, bike rides and tennis games. It’s important to warm up for those. But Gardening? Pshaw!
Think again.
Even the most active folks, in every decade of life, need to be mindful of their strengths and limitations. As we age, low back injuries seem to grow more serious and take longer to heal. Read this article to learn more about which stretches are good for you. Stay limber and flexible: drink plenty of water, use the proper equipment and tools for each activity. For gardening, that means good knee-pads, ergonomically designed tools, and yes, a big hat.
If Injured From Gardening
If you do injure your neck or low back, see a back pain expert like Dr. Nusbaum at Back Clinics of Canada. The sooner you address your injury, the better chance you have of achieving true lasting healing.
