Gardening is therapeutic, relaxing and good for the soul... But it isn't always great for your back...
This can be because of overdoing it when spring arrives, having had the winter off. Or it can be due to repetitive actions such as digging or heavy lifting. It might be that excessive gardening triggers an underlying back problem.
As with all physical activity, it helps to be body aware while you're gardening. You could ask yourself;
Do my shoulders tense and creep upwards when I lift something heavy?
Does my neck tense as I dig up weeds?
Is that hurting my back?
Can I find a good squat technique as I lift the heavy wheelbarrow? Can I work on all-fours instead of standing and weeding double-bent for hours?
Going the extra mile!
If you open your garden for the National Garden Scheme for charity you're likely to be doing a lot of gardening, as I'm finding out..!
As with all exercise, it's good to warm up first. With a back issue that could be some Standing Side Bends and Spine Twists. And if shoulders and neck muscles are tight, a Neck Stretch.
It's also good to be able to pace yourself in the garden and progress the intensity you work at over time. And if you find yourself doing an 11 hour day in the garden (for me, last Saturday!) try to build in a recovery day in to your week.
And if you have time off on Sunday the 14th of June between 2.00 and 6.00, come along to East Hagbourne Open Gardens to see ten different gardens all looking great!
http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id=25852
Happy Gardening!
