Ahhh … Spring!! It’s just around the corner - sunny warm days, lazy afternoons, the smell of freshly mowed grass wafting through the air. A time when with a ‘little’ effort we can have the yard looking beautiful.
So what does this mean? Well for me as a Bowen Therapist it will see an influx of weekend gardening warriors coming through the clinic with a variety of aches, pains and restrictions.
Pretty much they hadn’t undertaken any body preparation before starting their gardening activities such as pruning, weeding, whipper-snipping, mowing and sweeping. Additionally, they hadn’t taken sufficient breaks to rest the body when down on hands and knees to weed, standing bent over to pull out the weeds, whipper-snipping from side to side with their feet in a stationary position, and sweeping with the broom to the side of their body instead of sweeping with the broom in front of them.
All these actions led to tension and strain on various parts of the body like the lower back, knees, ankles, and shoulders. Even holding their neck at an awkward angle had an impact.
Here are a few tips to help support your body…..
Tips & Stretches
1. Hydrate well – water aids our body to move freely and helps shift wastes. Have a drink before you start and make sure you have a ready supply of water at various points around the garden to remind you to hydrate.
2. Stretching – why should I? Well for starters it ….
a. keeps you flexible and reduces inflammation
b. assists with circulation
c. helps promote relaxed muscles
d. helps in reducing muscle resistance
e. helps reduce muscle soreness
3. DO
i. use a cushion under your knees when kneeling. If kneeling is already a problem then sit on the ground to pull out the weeds
ii. when sweeping or raking – square up to the broom/rake. Having the instrument to the side while your feet are front on can lead to strain of the side and back muscles
iii. whipper-snipping – move with the instrument and move your feet. Keeping your feet in a static position can lead to strain of your leg, side, back and neck muscles
If you have overdone the gardening then give Gail a call at
SumetBodyworx – 0417 005 510
OR find us on Facebook
About:
Gail Tumes is a qualified Bowen Therapist and Scar Tissue Release Practitioner living and practicing in Forest Lake, Queensland. Having been on the receiving end of Bowen Therapy for over 20 years, in 2015 Gail decided to embark on a long desired career in Complementary/ Alternative therapies. Gail now has her own thriving practice where she works with clients from all walks of life and all age groups providing them with the healing gift of Bowen Therapy.
If you would like to learn more about how Bowen Therapy can assist you please call Gail on 0417 005 510.
Disclaimer
The information on this website is not intended to replace your personal relationship with your GP and is not intended as medical advice or as a replacement for prescribed interventions. The material appearing on the website is for educational use only.