Practical Tips for Gardeners for Preventing Spinal Injuries

Gardening is a wonderful way to enjoy nature, get exercise and increase flexibility. Whether it's early in the season, you're ready to enjoy your harvest or you're preparing your garden for winter, gardening can take its toll on your back, neck, arms and legs.

Use these practical gardening tips adapted from the American Chiropractic Association to help prevent a spinal problem before it starts.

• Before gardening exercise to warm up and stretch to help prevent injuries
• Kneel instead of bending
• Alternate your weight as much as possible to balance the muscles used
• When you're finished cool down with the exercises and a short walk

Strain and injury can occur when you're bending or stooping to work the soil, pulling stubborn weeds especially if they suddenly release, causing you to loose your balance, or shoveling heavy loads. To avoid over-exertion take periodic breaks to stretch and drink plenty of water.

When trying to prevent spinal injuries, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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