Gardening is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors, but it can also be tough on your back. If you have chronic back pain, gardening can be a daunting task. However, there are ways to reduce the pain and make gardening easier on your back.
In this article, we will discuss the causes of back pain when gardening and offer tips on how to reduce the pain. By following our advice, you can garden without pain and enjoy all the benefits that gardening has to offer!
What can cause back pain?
Whilst gardening is a lovely way to spend some time outdoors and get some exercise, it's not without its risks. One of the most common injuries people sustained whilst gardening is back pain.
There are a few different reasons why back pain is such a common gardening injury. First, people tend to bend over a lot when they're gardening, which can put a strain on the back. Second, lifting heavy gardening tools and equipment can also lead to back pain. And finally, gardening can sometimes involve awkward positions that can also contribute to back pain.
If you're experience back pain whilst gardening, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the pain. First, be sure to take breaks often and stay hydrated. Second, try to use proper lifting techniques when picking up heavy objects. And finally, stretch before and after gardening to help keep you limber!
What are some tips to prevent back pain?
Gardening is a great way to get exercise and fresh air, but it can also be a source of back pain if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips to help you avoid back pain when gardening:
Use proper lifting techniques: Bend at your knees, not your waist, when lifting heavy objects. Safe lifting involves careful planning and no rushing.
Avoid awkward positions: Try to avoid awkward positions that put strain on your back.
Take breaks often: Don’t overdo it! Take breaks often to avoid fatigue. If you have a long hard job to get done spread this over a couple days, don’t try to overdo it by getting it all done in one day.
Use ergonomic tools: Use gardening tools that are designed to reduce stress on your back, such as long-handled tools. If you are doing some weeding, use short handled lightweight tools and keep them close so you do not have to overstretch to reach the weeds.
Quick treatment methods: If you start to feel the pain begin be sure to take a couple painkillers and take a rest! If the pain persists take a break from gardening for the day and use hot or old compress to help the muscles relax.
By following these tips, you can help prevent back pain when gardening. If the pain is not disappearing and is continuing in your daily life and affecting this, it may be time to book an appointment to discover if something else is going on.