With Spring upon us some of us will be turning our thoughts to heading outside to spruce up our gardens. As chiropractors we encourage people to get outdoors and take some exercise. However, we do also encourage people to prepare themselves adequately so that they stay safe and not injure themselves in the process.
Here are a few helpful tips our chiropractor at Newcastle Chiropractic Clinic has put together to help you prepare to keep your back safe whilst gardening.
Clothes
Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes that won’t constrict your movement.
Warm Up
Like any other form of exercise you need to warm up before starting. Do a few simple stretches before starting off with lighter jobs.
Tools & Equipment
Over reaching and over stretching often lead to injuries. It is well worth investing in tools that are designed with long handles.
Check all equipment before using to ensure they are in good working order.
If you’re intending to use a ladder it may be a good idea to ask a family member or friend to give you a hand and hold the ladder.
Take a break
Make sure you take regular breaks. Spend no longer than 20 -30 minutes on one activity.
We’ve included a really useful video below that provides advice for keeping your back safe in the garden. You can watch it now.