Rehabilitation Services

Newspaper Column

Now that we are enjoying the mild days of spring, it is time to think about spring gardening. There is something about digging in the earth and being rewarded with beautiful blooms and plump vegetables that satisfies some deep need for most people. Thomas Jefferson loved his gardens and stated, “No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of a garden.”

Gardening is America’s favorite outdoor leisure activity. However, the physical demands of tending a garden can be difficult for those who have conditions that limit movement or stamina. There are a number of ways to decrease gardening related aches and pains if the gardener will plan ahead, use the proper tools and be careful when lifting, bending and stooping. Following is a list of tips that will help make your gardening activities more meaningful and purposeful.

1. Protect your joints. Choose garden tools with padded handles to reduce pressure on the joints of your hands and fingers. Choose cutting tools such as shears and clippers with a spring action self-opening feature. This will be very helpful to gardeners that have a weakened grasp.

2. Conserve energy. Learn to sit while working in order to conserve energy and decrease stress on your back, knees and hips. Use a kneeler seat, which is a combination kneeling platform and seat that helps you shift from a kneeling to a seated position. Take rest breaks, and stop work for the day before you become over tired.

3. Limit lifting. Be extremely careful when handling heavy bags of soil, mulch or fertilizer. Instead of moving the entire bag, divide it into smaller, more manageable loads and use a cart or wagon to move these materials. When lifting, use the muscles in your legs, not your back, for heavy exertions. Do not hesitate to ask for help or to hire someone to do the most strenuous lifting.

4. Think small. Start with a small garden that you can manage without excess exertion. Locate it close to your house and near a hose bib. Avoid using more than one length of hose and choose the newer lightweight or coiled hoses, which produce less stress and wear on your body.

5. Consider container gardening. Growing plants in containers allows you to have a garden when space is limited. Containers range from window boxes to decorative pots. This gardening option offers the flexibility of replacing plants as the seasons change. There are many vegetables that lend themselves to container gardening, for instance, patio tomatoes. Your local garden center or nursery can help you choose plants that grow well in small spaces and give you instructions on optimal care.

6. Mix it up. Vary your tasks to avoid overstressing any one part of your body. Change positions frequently to keep from becoming stiff, and avoid gripping a garden tool tightly for extended periods, which can cause pain and swelling in hands and arms. Hunching over or kneeling for prolonged periods can cause back and knee pain. Stand up, walk around and flex your hands frequently to diminish the probability of these problems.

Alison Hogan, CTRS, is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist with HSCMC’s PsycHealth Unit, located on the second floor of HSC Medical Center.