Health Tip: Good Gardening Techniques
February 24, 2009, 11:22 AM ET
• 1 min read
Feb. 25 -- (HealthDay News) -- Gardening is a relaxing activity and a great form of exercise. But all that bending, kneeling, digging and lifting can take a toll on your back, knees, wrists and other joints.
The American Occupational Therapy Association suggests these techniques to help prevent injury while gardening:
Look for tools that have padded handles and grips to ease pressure on your hands and fingers.If you tend to get tired easily, get a kneeler seat. This should make it easier to stand up when you're done gardening.Don't lift a heavy bag of dirt or mulch. Break it up into smaller bags that are easier to carry, or dump smaller loads into a wheelbarrow or cart. Always lift with your legs, not your back.Look for lightweight hoses, and keep them near your garden so you don't have to carry them far.Don't do any one activity for too long. Keep changing positions -- kneeling, sitting, standing. And don't grip a tool for an extended period.