Gardening may be a relaxing way to enjoy some fresh air and get your hands dirty, but it is also a physically demanding activity that can lead to injuries. Kneeling, lifting, digging, and bending as you tend to your garden can take a toll on your body, so before you get out to the garden, be sure to warm up with a short walk to get the blood flowing and some light stretches to lubricate your joints.
While you’re in the garden, take advantage of kneeling pads or stools to avoid putting too much pressure on your knees. Wheelbarrows and wagons are also worthwhile investments to avoid heavy lifting of bags of mulch, buckets of topsoil, or full watering cans. Finally, take frequent breaks during activities like weeding or planting, which involve lots of repetitive movement that can put stress on your wrists and elbows.
If an afternoon in the garden does leave you sprouting new aches and pains, Complete Balance Physiotherapy is here to help. We’ll help you address your injury at the source and provide you with tools to strengthen your body and prevent future injuries, so you can continue enjoying the activities you love. Book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists on our website today. We treat patients of all ages and backgrounds in our Rothesay practice.