I can’t tell you how many patients come in this time of the year and are in pain after working in their garden. It’s down right epidemic! I want to give you some tips on how to garden with your health and spine in mind.
- Get your body ready for activity. Click here to watch a quick video ~ This will help TREMENDOUSLY!
- It gets the blood flowing in your body and gets muscles, tendons and ligaments ready to do work. Gardening is an activity just like bowling or golf; your body requires some preparation.
What I like about this exercise is:
- Don’t think you have the time? It only take 5 mins or less.
- Minimal prep: You can do them anywhere, anytime! I do them in my dress clothes, between patients, while at the office.
- All at a price you can afford ~ FREE!
- Lastly, immediate results! Have you heard someone say “Results may not be seen for 90 days.” If done correctly, you will notice a difference quickly.
Do these exercises before and after you garden, and you’ll notice a difference!
- Another quick tip, use a seat of some sort (i.e. bucket, tripod chair, etc.) to sit on while you weed or plant.
- Take breaks. There are a couple of ways to do this ~ set a time limit, set your alarm on your phone, or just weed one section at a time, then be done for the day. For instance, I’m going to weed for 20 minutes every morning, or I will weed the tomatoes on Mondays and the cabbage on Tuesdays… etc. This way you are limiting how much stress you are putting on your back for a given period of time.
Now, if you find yourself in pain, there may be some other things that are going on that need correction, or if you would like me to help you get started on these stretches, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I’m here to help!
