With summer approaching, many people begin taking on those last summer yard projects or renovating their annual gardening. But after the whole winter season, without participating in any strenuous outdoor activities, it’s not uncommon for people to experience back pain and other symptoms from yard work and gardening.
For people who maintain good physical conditioning throughout the year, gardening or yard maintenance is generally an activity that can aggravate a previous injury or underlying condition in the spine. Contrary to exercising at a gym, the physical exertion required from working in the yard is far less predictable, such as pulling out weeds or even something as large as a tree root; the body cannot determine how much force it will take to accomplish the task. Other outdoor tasks, such as digging holes, can also involve unexpected resistance, which can cause back strains.
Yard projects usually last longer than your regular exercise routine, and rushing through these chores without taking any breaks to stretch may ultimately cause damage or injury to the spine and other parts of the body.
Continuous activity for extended periods, such as gardening and other yard work, can place additional stress on the back, often causing injury and symptoms of back pain. Getting plenty of rest in between chores by stretching the body and staying hydrated can help prevent future injuries or other health problems. Please ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900 for more information.