Common Gardening Injuries and Simple Ways to Prevent Gardening Pains
Gardening may seem like a peaceful hobby, but it can unfortunately lead to various injuries if proper precautions aren't taken. Some of the most common gardening injuries include:
Strains and Sprains
Repeated bending, lifting, and twisting motions can put a lot of strain on muscles and lead to painful strains and sprains. Areas like the lower back, knees, shoulders, and elbows are especially prone to these types of overuse injuries. Listen to your body and stop an activity if you feel any twinges of pain.
Back Pain
Bending over for prolonged periods can cause back pain. Bulging discs or pinched nerves are two common gardening-related back injuries. Use ergonomic gardening tools, kneel on padded mats, and switch positions frequently to avoid back pain.
Prepatellar Bursitis
Prepatellar bursitis, also called housemaid's knee, is inflammation of the bursa sac in front of the kneecap. It's caused by frequent kneeling and putting pressure on the knees while gardening. Wear knee pads and limit time spent kneeling to prevent this painful condition.
Cuts and Scrapes
Sharp gardening tools and thorny plants can easily pierce skin. Cuts and scrapes can lead to infection if not properly cleaned and protected. Wear gloves while gardening and thoroughly wash any breaks in the skin. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand as well.
Simple Warm Ups to Prevent Gardening Pains
Before starting any gardening tasks, it's important to properly warm up your body to prevent muscle strains or joint injuries. Take 5-10 minutes to do some light stretches and joint mobility exercises to increase blood flow to your muscles and lubricate your joints.
Here are some good warm up stretches to do before gardening:
Neck stretches - Slowly tilt your head to each side, then forward and back to loosen your neck. Avoid overstretching.
Shoulder rolls - Lift your shoulders up, roll them backwards in a circular motion, then reverse direction. Do 5-10 rolls per shoulder.
Wrist circles - Rotate your wrists clockwise and counter-clockwise.
Back twists - With feet shoulder-width apart, clasp your hands together and gently twist your upper body left and right.
Quad stretch - Use a wall for balance if needed. Bend one knee and use your hand to gently pull the ankle of the opposite leg up towards your glutes. Hold for 30 seconds then switch legs.
Calf stretch - Step one leg back, keep it straight, and push your hips forward until you feel a stretch in your calves. Hold for 30 seconds each leg.
Hamstring stretch - Sit on ground with both legs straight out. Bend from the hips and reach towards your toes until you feel a stretch in the backs of your legs.
Spending a few minutes warming up will get your blood flowing and help prevent painful muscle strains or sprains while gardening. Listen to your body and don't push any stretches too far. Warm up properly and you'll be ready for a safe, comfortable, and productive time gardening.
Proper Footwear
Wearing the proper footwear when gardening is crucial for preventing injury and discomfort. Going barefoot or wearing flimsy shoes like flip flops or sandals can leave your feet exposed to dangers like insect stings, cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds. It also fails to provide the proper support and cushioning your feet need when spending long hours digging, kneeling, and standing on hard surfaces.
The best shoes for gardening have thick, supportive soles to cushion your feet and ankles. Look for garden shoes or sturdy boots with traction to prevent slipping on wet grass or soil. Avoid shoes with flat, thin soles that can lead to arch pain and heel pain. The toe area should be reinforced to protect against heavy items that may drop.
Ankle support is also important, so choose shoes that come up higher over your ankle bone. This provides stability when carrying loads or walking on uneven ground. Gardening clogs can be a good option, but ensure they have an enclosed heel and toe.
Proper footwear ensures your feet stay protected and supported throughout long gardening sessions. Don't let inadequate footwear derail an enjoyable day working in your garden. Invest in a quality pair of gardening shoes or boots to keep your feet safe, stable, and comfortable while you dig in the dirt.
Safe Lifting Techniques
When lifting heavy objects while gardening it's important to use proper form to avoid back injuries. Here are some tips:
Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend at the knees and hips while keeping your back straight. Engage your leg muscles to do the heavy lifting, not your back.
Keep your back straight, whether lifting or setting down the object. Don't round or arch your back. Look straight ahead, not down.
Bring the object as close to your body as possible before lifting. Don't extend your arms out.
Avoid twisting your back while lifting. First face the object you want to lift, then pivot your whole body to set it down.
If the object is too heavy to lift, use a wheelbarrow, wagon or other assistive device. Or split the load into multiple smaller loads.
Wear supportive footwear and gloves to help grip heavy objects. Consider a back brace for additional support.
Take breaks between lifting objects to give your back muscles a rest. Hydrate and refuel to maintain strength.
Proper lifting form is essential to prevent strained muscles or disc injuries in your back. Always listen to your body - if an object feels too heavy, ask for help or use an assistive device. Take your time and focus on using your leg power, not your back.
Adapting Your Garden
One of the best ways to prevent injury while gardening is to adapt your garden design and layout to be more ergonomic. This involves making changes to reduce bending, lifting, reaching, and kneeling in order to minimize strain on your body.
Raised Beds
Building raised garden beds is an excellent option to reduce back strain from bending over. Raised beds should be waist high, so you can plant, weed, and harvest crops without excessive bending from the waist. This prevents injury to the back muscles and spine from hunching over. Wide raised beds that are 3-4 feet across are ideal so you can reach the center from the sides without stepping on the soil.
Pathways
Installing pathways between raised beds provides easy access without stepping on the soil. Pathways should be at least 3 feet wide to accommodate your stance as you garden. Gravel, brick, stone, or mulch can be used to create sturdy pathways.
Vertical Gardening
Utilizing vertical space is another way to garden without excessive bending or kneeling. Installing tall trellises, arbors, or obelisks allows you to grow vining crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and peas vertically. Hanging pots or wall planters at waist height also bring gardening up off the ground for less strain.
By adapting your garden with raised beds, good pathways, and vertical gardening, you can create an ergonomic environment that keeps you in an upright position as you garden to prevent muscle strains and joint pain.
Ergonomic Tools
Choosing the right gardening tools can make a big difference in preventing injury. Look for tools designed to reduce strain on your body.
Lightweight Tools
Heavy tools quickly lead to fatigue and strain. Opt for lighter weight versions of essentials like shovels, rakes, hoes, and watering cans. Aluminum or fiberglass handles are lighter than wood. Buckets and wheelbarrows designed specifically for gardening also tend to be more lightweight.
Extended Reach Tools
Long handled tools allow you to stand upright instead of hunching over. Seek out pruning shears, weed pullers, and hand trowels with extendable handles. For tight spaces, a folding stool can minimize bending.
Cushioned Grips
Standard wooden or plastic handles can chafe and irritate hands. Upgrade your most-used tools like pruners and spades with cushioned grips. These provide padding and relieve pressure on your hands and wrists. Some also have an ergonomic angled design that keeps wrists in a neutral position.
Changing Positions
Changing your body position frequently while gardening can help prevent soreness and strain. Repeated motions or staying in one position for too long can lead to overuse injuries. Follow these tips:
Switch between tasks often. For example, alternate between weeding, pruning, and planting rather than tackling one task exclusively. This varies your motions and which muscles you engage.
Take regular short breaks to stand, stretch, and walk around. Every 30 minutes is ideal. This gives your muscles a chance to recover.
If kneeling, use a kneeling pad or small stool to take the pressure off. Switch to sitting or standing whenever you start to feel discomfort.
If bending over for extended periods, try standing upright to give your back a break. You can also sit on a low stool or overturned bucket.
When carrying loads like soil bags or tools, swap sides or shift the weight between your arms. Don't overload one side.
If pruning or digging, switch hands frequently and adjust your stance. Don't just rely on your dominant hand.
Listen to your body. If a position starts to feel uncomfortable, change it. Don't try to push through pain.
Taking the time to change positions prevents any one area from being overworked. This allows you to garden comfortably and avoid aches, pains and more serious injuries.
Protecting Your Skin
Gardening often involves extensive exposure to the sun and repeated contact with plants, soil, and tools that can damage your skin. Follow these tips to keep your skin safe while gardening:
Wear Sunscreen Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 about 30 minutes before you head outdoors. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if you're going to be outside for an extended period. The sun's UV rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging even on cloudy days.
Use Gardening Gloves Gloves form a protective barrier against dirt, chemicals, plant oils, thorns, and sharp tools that can scratch or irritate your hands. Look for gloves made of supple leather or suede to allow flexibility. Wash gloves regularly to avoid transferring soil-borne germs to your hands.
Cover Up Wear loose, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin from the sun and accidental scrapes. For hot weather, choose breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. A wide-brimmed hat shades your face, ears and neck. Tuck your pants into your socks when working near stinging plants. Change out of gardening clothes and shower after you finish to rinse off perspiration, dirt and chemicals.
Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial for avoiding injury and exhaustion while gardening. When working outdoors in the heat and sunshine, it's easy to become dehydrated without realizing it. Dehydration leads to muscle cramps, headaches, and dizziness - all of which increase your risk of strains or falls.
Be sure to drink water frequently, even if you don't feel thirsty. Aim for 8-16 ounces every 15-30 minutes. Avoid caffeine and alcohol which can dehydrate you further.
Place a water bottle in easy reach so you remember to drink often. Take a water break any time you change tasks or locations in the garden. Drinking enough water will give you the energy you need to garden safely.
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion like heavy sweating, nausea, and fatigue. Stop all activity and find a cool shaded area if you experience these symptoms. Rehydrate and rest before returning to gardening. Consider gardening early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and take more frequent breaks on hot days.
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest but most important injury prevention tips for gardeners. Don't let dehydration sabotage your gardening! Drink up and enjoy your time digging in the dirt safely.
After Gardening Care
After you finish your gardening session, it's important to take a few steps to aid muscle recovery and prepare for your next time in the garden. Follow these simple ways to prevent gardening pains
Stretch Again
Just like warming up beforehand, stretching after gardening can help reduce next-day soreness. Gently stretch any muscles that were heavily used during your gardening, such as your back, legs, shoulders, and arms. Avoid any stretches that cause pain. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds.
Apply Ice
If you have any sore or tender spots, applying ice can help reduce inflammation. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin towel and apply it to affected areas for 10-15 minutes. Don't place ice directly on skin.
Clean and Store Tools
Once finished gardening, clean off any dirt from your tools with a damp cloth and check for signs of damage or wear. Let tools air dry completely before storing them. Place tools in a dry, organized area like a shed or garage so they are easily accessible next time. Properly maintaining your gardening tools will keep them in good shape for injury prevention.
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