Winter gardening and back pain- what you need to know:
At BayTree Chiropractic, we often see patients come in with backache after a weekend spent raking leaves, lifting mulch, and bending over garden beds. It's common to underestimate how physically straining gardening can be on the body.
Winter garden tasks may not seem intense, but they involve a lot of repetitive movement, twisting, and awkward postures that put pressure on the lower back. Even something as simple as stood in a hunched position while raking can lead to discomfort if done for too long.
The problem isn’t gardening itself, its how we move while doing it.
How to garden to reduce pressure on the low back:
- start with a small warm up to get your blood flowing and muscles loose - this can just be a 5 minute walk around the block and a few stretches
- Pay attention to how you’re moving. Try to bend from your knees and lift with your legs instead of your back.
- switch up tasks every 20-30 minutes. If you’ve been raking, change to trimming the hedge to give certain muscles a break.
- Bring your work to you. Instead of reaching down and bending repeatedly, try keeping objects at waist height to help maintain a neutral spine.
Its normal to feel sore after a few hours of physical work. But if you’re feeling stiff for several days, the pain becomes sharp, persistent, or affecting your sleep, it's time to come and get it checked out.
Chiropractic care can help realign the spine, reduce inflammation, restore movement, and give you some tips on how to move the body in a functional way.
Winter should be about enjoying the outdoors on the nice days, not recovering on the sofa with a heat pad. If your back is holding you back, we’re here to help. Book an appointment with BayTree Chiropractic today.
