Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, spring gardening tips to save your aching joints, Jake Murphy, Lee Couret
Jake protecting his back by using the proper lifting technique for heavy supplies (or medicine balls)

Spring is here, and that means nature is coming to life again!  So, to all my friends with green thumbs, remember to take care of yourselves as you pull out the spades, shovels and shears for the new season. Horticulture and other forms of yardwork can be very hard on the body so take a minute to read our spring gardening tips to help save your aching joints.

Lift with your legs. You’ve heard it said your whole life. Bend your knees to go down into a squat, rather than bending at the waist, when picking up heavy supplies like a 40-pound bag of soil or mulch, concrete pavers, ceramic pots, decorative gnomes or (pardon the pun) whatever makes your garden grow.

Vary the gardening tasks. Repetitive motions like pruning, weeding and digging for too long can overuse the same muscles in the hands and arms causing inflammation and pain. Avoid this issue by alternating between the different parts of the overall project so no individual muscle gets overused.

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, spring gardening tips to save your aching joints, Marie Pechon, Lee Couret
Marie protecting her knees by using a kneeler as she tends the Southshore “garden”

Choose your tools carefully. To protect your knees, invest in a quality garden kneeler. To protect your back, a garden caddy allows you to wheel around close to the ground without having to bend over. And hands and arms can be protected with a good pair of gardening gloves and lightweight tools crafted with an ergonomic design.

Elevate your garden. Whenever possible, try using raised garden beds that allow you to work without so much bending, kneeling and twisting. Window boxes are not only easier on the body, they’re also a creative way to display herbs, perennials and annuals more prominently.

Take frequent breaks. It’s easy to get stuck in the zone. Just remember, for every 30 minutes of lawn and garden work, you should rest for 5-10 minutes. (And use this time to hydrate!) Let pain be your guide. If you get too uncomfortable during your work, consider lengthening your breaktime or spreading the work over the course of a few days.

Southshore Physical Therapy, Metairie Louisiana, spring gardening tips to save your aching joints Jaci Seaward, Lee Couret
Jaci protecting her overall self by remembering to take a break to rest … and hydrate like it’s her job.

Always remember, you reap what you sow. So, please remember these spring gardening tips to help save your aching joints. The care and preparation you put into your efforts will produce not only lovely flowers but also happier backs, knees, arms and hands when it’s all done.

I used to be afraid of gardening, but then I decided to grow a pear. ~ Unknown

Michele Robert Poche