Gardening Safely

Oct 1

Now that Spring has well and truly arrived, many of us in Warrnambool are heading out into the garden.

And although that’s great news for veggie patch, it’s sometimes a bit of a disaster for back pain, knees, elbows and more.

As a keen gardener myself (feel free to check out what’s growing at the front of the clinic every time you have an appointment!), I understand the need for proper self-care in the great outdoors.

Kneeling pads

Invest in a proper kneeling pad. I’m a big fan of the ones designed for plumbers that strap around the knees. It’s well worth protecting your knees before you get any problems, but never too late to start.

Back care

STOP when you feel your back hurting. Take a step back, and have a moment to think about all the different ways you could achieve your task without hurting your back. If you only have one option and it hurts - bribe a neighbour to help you, or do it in very small increments of just a few minutes at a time.

Tools

Select the right tool for the right job. Make sure it’s clean, sharp, and recently oiled. This can make a huge difference to the strain you put upon your wrists, elbows and shoulders in particular. If you’re doing overhead work, get the long-handled version of the tool you need - never leave your elbows above shoulder height for a prolonged period of time!

Keep your elbows in and your wrists in line

You don’t want to be doing any heavy work with your arms out away from your body. This applies to shearing, pruning, potting and carrying heavy materials too. Keep your elbows near your waist, and don’t bend your wrists back or forward as your work - it should be a straight line from knuckles to elbows.

Bacteria

Potting mixes, compost, soil and mulch are all a haven for bacteria. That’s a good thing! The soil web relies on those bacteria, which help your plants thrive. However, what’s good for the soil can be pretty dangerous for our lungs, so make sure you mask up when pouring soil into beds or pots, and avoid breathing in any soil dust as it pours. Wear gloves, and wash your hands and face thoroughly after dealing potting and planting. That’s not just for 2020 - it’s for always. Gardeners have always been fashion forward ;)

Stretch it out

Ask your friendly local Warrnambool Osteo for tips and advice on stretching and exercises that can help your body keep strong and fit for gardening and beyond.

Book Online with Dr Anna Brown