Our West Babylon Chiropractors Offers Gardening Tips to Prevent Strains

The spring and summer seasons bring warmer weather and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. Doing yard work and gardening can be very energizing and invigorating; however, if you’re not careful, you can fall victim to muscle pain, back issues, joint problems, and neck pain. Injuries from gardening and yard work are more common than you might realize. Our West Babylon chiropractic clinic, Hansen Chiropractic, is here to assist you with advice, tips and chiropractic interventions to bring relief from issues of spinal misalignment and muscle pain from overexerting yourself in your yard or garden. There are some steps you can take to reduce your own risk of injury and maximize enjoyment of gardening and yard work all season long.

Stretch and Warm Up

Warming up your muscles and joints is key to reducing injury risk and muscle pain. Take the time to gently stretch your back, shoulders, legs, and arms. Being limber and flexible will help prevent muscle pulls and strains. Do some stretching again when you are finished gardening to ensure you won’t stiffen up later after your gardening session.

Stay Hydrated, Regulate Body Temperature

As the outdoor season continues and temperatures rise, issues with heat and sun exposure could become a problem. Wear appropriate sun protection and remember to take breaks from the heat regularly. Drink plenty of water to ensure you stay hydrated.

Use Proper Form When Lifting

Always lift items by bending from the knees, never the lower back. This is especially important when lifting heavy items like bags of soil and fertilizer as well as filled pots. However, even when bending to plant seeds or pull weeds, take care to keep your spine and back as straight as possible. Ensure all joints are tracking properly and avoid making movements while off balance or at awkward angles.

Contact our West Babylon Chiropractor for Muscle Pain Relief

Our West Babylon chiropractor is here to assist you with relief from muscle pain and spinal injury from gardening and yard work. Contact Hansen Chiropractic today at 631-321-5400 with questions or to set up an appointment.