Gardening without low back pain

The long weekend for the Victoria Day holiday is often a great opportunity to start gardening! Many will be squatting for long hours in front of their flower beds. But beware because your yard and garden are high risk places for those with back pain.

Gardening is bending, crouching, lifting, carrying, in short, performing a whole series of movements that are harmful to the spine.

On the other hand, those who take care of their garden often tend to practice the same activity for several hours, whether it is digging, pruning trees or weeding, instead of doing it regularly, but briefly. It is therefore common to see back pain, the origin of which is attributable to the practice of gardening, and one could not too strongly advise anyone who works the land to take a certain number of precautions.

Here are some great tips to follow:

• Do some stretching before gardening;

• Do not prolong sessions too long if you have a weak back;

• Always respect the technique of lifting a load by bending integrating the knees, without bending the back;

• Do not dig when the ground is hard or heavy;

• Proceed slowly, stopping frequently to relax and stretch;

• Do not dig an entire strip at one time, but change activity often (pruning, weeding, planting, etc.);

• Get tools with long handles and ergonomic shapes;

• Kneel on a garden mat to plant or weed;

• When pruning, watch your back carefully: even the lightest tool becomes dangerous if you have to stretch to handle it;

• Prefer the watering jet to the watering can; if you must use one, only half fill it;

• Organize your garden shed so that you don't have to bend down to grab a tool.

Finally, make the most of the beautiful season that is beginning by following these precious tips and your back will also be able to take full advantage of it!

Have a good holiday weekend and good gardening!