Spring is well and truly here, and with the warmer weather arriving, I've had patients asking if Bristol osteopaths can treat gardening injuries.
The answer, of course, is yes. But there's more to it than just that.
Gardening is a physically-demanding activity that many of us can jump straight into without full preparation or proper body warm-up.
And following on from a quiet and less active Winter in the garden, it's vital that good preparation and body care are adhered to before gardening.
Avoiding injuries in the garden is exactly the same as avoiding sports injuries.
Prevention is always better than cure, and I advise patients to work on body flexibility and core stability a few weeks before doing any gardening activities.
Gentle yoga or low-impact pilates are both great ways to limber up for the gardening season ahead.
When you're in the garden, try and be mindful of the following:
* Don't spend hours bent over - take care of your back
* When weeding, use a padded kneeler equipment
* Take regular micro breaks, straighten up and stretch
* Be careful when digging hard or heavy soil types
* Work at waist height if possible - such as potting plants on a table
* Break down any large garden project work into smaller segments
Avoid getting wet or cold. Joints will suffer in poor weather conditions, and Spring is notorious for being inconsistent when it comes to warm sunshine.
Staying hydrated is another really important consideration. Sip water, often.
Gently stretch tight muscles after a session of gardening to help avoid injuries, and soak in a warm bath with Epsom Salts to relax and rejuvenate the body.
I recently wrote a series of hints and tips on how to avoid joint pain in Spring (hyperlink with https://www.alexprinceosteopathy.co.uk/alex-prince-osteopathy-news/spring-tips-to-avoid-joint-pain-in-bristol) which will provide additional useful advice for gardeners across the city.
My Bristol osteopathy clinic is fully open so if you’re looking for Covid-safe osteopathic treatments from gardening-based injuries, please read this news post to find out about the measures in place at my Henleaze osteopathy clinic for all patients.
To find out more about the full range of Covid-secure osteopathic treatments that I’m providing in Bristol, please visit here for details.