As summer gets in full swing, the garden beckons. And often, with yard work comes a hefty side of back pain. However, with a few simple body mechanics tips, you can enjoy your gardening without stressing your back.
Here are a few golden rules to keep in mind:
- KEEP IT CLOSE! Keep tools, plants, and loads close to you: The less reaching you have to do away from your body (standing, sitting or lifting) the less strain you will be putting on your back.
When using a rake, or a broom, keep your posture upright, the handle close to you, and let your feet do the moving side to side.
When trimming plants, position a stool so that you are directly in front of the area you’re trimming. Move your stool around the plant rather than bending and twisting your back to get to hard to reach branches.
This first tip will save your back and really extend the time you can enjoy gardening. Stay tuned for PART 2 (next week) where I’ll discuss LIFTING WITH YOUR LEGS and ENGAGING YOUR CORE. – Jennifer Dominique, PTA, SOUTH VALLEY LOCATION
