Prevent Gardening Injuries to get the most from your Garden
Preventing injury when gardening is essential to our continued enjoyment of our precious outside spaces. As a nation, we love our gardens and spend a considerable amount of time and money on them. And that love is certainly revealed each year in the magnificent show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. Nearer to home we have the BBC Gardener’s World Spring fair at Beaulieu to inspire and excite us.
As we rush to create our perfect patch or just tackle those jobs in the garden that can only be done in spring, there is a risk that gardeners may injure themselves.
What everyone wants is to be fit and healthy enough to actually enjoy sitting in their garden and enjoy the fruits of their labours come summertime, so here are some helpful tips from us at the Lymington Chiropractic Clinic.
Our 9 Top Tips to Prevent Gardening Injuries
1. Dress appropriately
Wear light, loose fitting clothes that won’t constrict your movement. And of course, consider the right footwear for the job. Flip flops may be okay for pulling the occasional weed or deadheading but sturdy, closed-toe footwear is best for preventing injuries when digging or when moving heavy pots.
2. Warm up before heavy gardening jobs
Gardening is like any other exercise – to prevent injury you need to warm up first.
Don’t go straight into heavy garden work, start off with lighter jobs first. This will lessen the chance of muscle strain.
3. Avoid twisting when on a ladder
To prevent injury when using a ladder make sure you are always facing the ladder. Rather than lean or reach from the ladder, move it regularly to be close to the area that needs attention.
When using the ladder, always keep your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction.
4. Avoid overstretching when pruning
Get as close as possible to the things you are pruning – avoid overstretching to reach the area you are dealing with.
Invest in some long-handled secateurs to reach plants and bushes that are beyond normal reach.
5. Prevent injury when digging
When digging, try not to bend or twist during the movement and alternate the foot you use to drive the spade into the ground.
Also, be aware of the type of soil in your garden. If it’s cloggy clay, it’ll be harder to dig and turnover, so try not to overload the spade or use a fork initially to break up the clay.
Raking is best achieved with short movements – don’t reach out too far.
6. Vary your position when potting and planting
Use a mat and kneel when doing close weeding work or planting out.
When potting up your plants, it is much better to do this at a table.
7. Prevent injury from repetitive strain by taking a break
Vary your activity. Spend no more than 20-30 minutes on any one thing and take regular breaks.
8. Remember your safe manual handling if laying a patio
If laying a patio keep the slab close to your body and bend your knees.
It is sometimes better to position yourself with one knee bent, as your supporting leg gives you a position of strength.
9. Plan ahead for large garden purchases
If you are planning a trip to the local DIY store or garden centre and buying heavy items, such as cement, gravel and compost, buy smaller bags rather than one big bag as they are easier and safer to carry. If you do buy heavy items, ask an assistant at the store to help you.
And don’t forget to plan how you are going to move items from your car to their planned destination. A wheelbarrow or sack truck can be a great help in preventing injury.
What if Injuries Still Happen?
Preventing gardening injuries means that you will be able to sit or lie comfortably in your garden, potter around or play with the children without unnecessary pain and discomfort. But injuries can still happen and aches and pains can sneak up on us. If they do, then get in touch.
Don’t let aches and pains hold you back!
If pain or discomfort is getting in the way of your gardening, then please give us a call on 01590 679560 or BOOK ONLINE and we will be happy to help.