Gardening sounds simple but to keep a quality garden growing is not as easy as it sounds. 

The change in weather from Spring to Summer allows us to start growing our own fruits, vegetables, and crops in our own backyard. Sometimes this comes with a cost. Bent over or repetitive motions for long periods of time to plant, water, and tend to the garden can cause unwanted aches and pains. 

We want to find a solution for you. There are several factors that may cause these aches and pains during gardening: postural mechanics (leaning forward, sitting or standing for long periods), excessive force on the body (carrying bags of soil), and repetitive activity (squatting up and down) are contributing factors. 

What can you do at home to help with this? 

• Use a wheelbarrow to transport heavy loads like: dirt, gardening tools, or large bags of soil/compost. 

• Use a chair when working for long periods of time to decrease bending over at the back and to decrease the amount of stress on the knees. 

• Think about elevating your gardening beds or pots so that they are raised to a height that reduces the amount you are bending forward. 

• Take breaks when performing the same activity over and over again. 

• Change positions to avoid cramping or stiffness in the knees and lower back. 

• Prepare for gardening by warming up the body by simply moving around and stretching to start the day. 

• Icing for 15 to 20 minutes to the achy and painful body part can help reduce symptoms and inflammation.