Advice for Gardeners

With everyone in a rush to get those jobs done in the garden, there is a risk that gardeners may injure themselves.

In an attempt to keep everyone healthy enough to actually enjoy sitting in their garden, Exeter Chiropractic clinic has identified some tips to help you get through those garden tasks safely.

• Treat gardening like normal exercise; you need to warm up and warm down
• Dress appropriately – don’t wear tight, constricting clothes.
• Don’t start with heavy-duty gardening – start with the lighter jobs, like mowing the lawn, and then move on. If you are pruning, use long handled secateurs and get as close to the plants as you can!
• Don’t twist – if you have to use a ladder to reach trees, hedges, large shrubs or fences always face it and move the ladder regularly. Always keep your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction. Also, make sure the ladder is firmly and safely planted in position and, wherever possible, have someone else standing at the base to keep an eye on things!
• If laying a patio, keep the slab close to your body and bend your knees. It is sometimes better to bend one knee rather two as your supporting leg gives you a position of strength.
• Vary your activity; spend no more than 20-30 minutes on any one thing and take regular breaks.
• Pain is a warning sign do not ignore it – if you start to ache then stop what you are doing.