Get Digging (Safely) This National Gardening Day!
Spring has sprung, and with it comes National Gardening Day on Sunday, April 14th! This is the perfect time to celebrate the joys of nurturing life, beautifying your outdoor space, and reaping the delicious rewards of homegrown vegetables.
But before you grab your shovel and head outside with unrestrained enthusiasm, let's take a moment to address a not-so-rosy aspect of gardening: injuries. Spring often sees a spike in gardening-related accidents, so it's important to prioritize safety alongside your love for the hobby.
injuries can happen for a number of reasons but they aren’t always a sudden fall which can create a ligament strain. The majority of the clients we see present with a gradual onset. Sometime it can be exacerbated by gardening at this time of year but it is due so an overload strategy that the body has used by default due to poor movement patterns.
This over load is usually due to a weakness somewhere which mean the other muscles have to work harder to compensate. When muscles are tired they will compensate even more and this is when injuries are more likely to happen! And then when they are at their most tired you lift something and twist and you feel a ping......
By being aware of our body's signals, maintaining good movement patterns, and addressing any weaknesses through proper strengthening exercises, we can help prevent these gardening-related injuries and enjoy this outdoor activity safely. Remember to listen to your body and give it the care and attention it deserves to stay healthy and active.
So here are some tips
Look after your back this spring with a few tips......
Break up activities! mowing, weeding just 20 min and then change activity or have a cup of tea!
when lifting pots around move your feet? don’t twist with extra load
When picking up bags of soil make sure you bend those knees don’t lift with a flexed back! Think about that spine position!
Movement. stretch and open that chest! I love a foam roller for this! It just gets to the right points.
Using the proper tools for the task at hand will not only make gardening easier but also prevent injuries from using tools that are too heavy, dull, or the wrong size.
Don't try to tackle too much at once, especially if you're a new gardener. Start small and gradually increase the intensity of your gardening activities.
Have a nice hot shower or bath and sooth those muscles when you finish. This helps your recovery so that you ache less in the morning.
By following these simple safety tips, you can ensure that National Gardening Day is a day of joy and productivity, not pain and discomfort. Now that you're prepped and prepared, get out there, dig in, and enjoy the beautiful rewards of gardening!