Comments on: How to hurt your back in the garden

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:53:16 +0000

I hear ye. Bad back from bending here…
I hope you have had time to recuperate.

By: Pam C

Pam C — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:36:05 +0000

I am enjoying your periodic gardening words of wisdom, Susan! Here are a couple of my own regarding back pain: Identify a time every day that allows you to lie on your back and do core strengthening stretches every day. We watch the News Hour each evening and it's easy to do it lying on the floor doing stretches. It's restful and simply letting gravity pull one's frame straight against the floor is very helpful to the back. Even better, stretch an arm and leg on the same side for fice seconds while breathing out. I'm sure there are many wonderful sources for such core strengthening exercises. I use "Walk Tall" a book by Sara Meeks (search online) made for people wishing to strengthen and protect their bones.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:56:34 +0000

Susan, heal well. As I'm recently recovering from an acute back injury (I think from hauling a 45 pound "portable" sewing machine up three flights of stairs to make Burning Man furries for my friend) the hardest part, aside from the pain, was not being able to garden [insert damnit here]. I learned an interesting thing from the very cute new grad physical therapist: the latest theories in back rehab involve showing certain muscles how to reactivate and properly support the spine. So now when I go for my walks (yes, before gardening, grrr) I'm having an active relationship with my transverse abs and deep lumbar muscles. No kidding. I have to act like I'm pulling my belly button UP and toward my spine, over and over and over….It's working.
I hope you're feeling better.
Carolyn

By: joeltheurbangardener

joeltheurbangardener — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:43:46 +0000

Thanks for the tips to keep your fellow gardeners healthy and up and at it -thoughtful post!

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:49:48 +0000

I also change activities often. Rake a little, shovel a little, prune a little, rake a little, shovel a little, prune a little. Of course, being ADHD, I would do that even without considering my back.

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:44:48 +0000

Sorry about your back. Stretching after gardening is always a good idea. I also make sure to switch sides often. Rake from the right for a bit. Rake from the left for a bit. Fill one barrow load from the right. Fill the next load from the left. It helps spread the strain around.