How To Avoid Injury In Your Garden or Yard

Physiotherapy in Pickering

There are lots of things to do once the warmer weather arrives, and gardening is one activity many homeowners love. Once spring arrives, it’s natural to want to elevate your garden as this will improve the look of your property. 

While gardening can be both therapeutic and fun, it also involves a lot of bending and reaching, and your body may have to move in ways it is not used to. These unfamiliar movement patterns can lead to pain, discomfort, or even injury, so you must take appropriate precautions.  

You may be surprised that back pain is one of the most common problems during the spring because of gardening, so it can happen to anyone, regardless of age or experience. 

If you get the urge to get your hands dirty come spring, you have to remember the following tips to avoid lower back pain injury:

  1. Do not try to carry one large load of dirt or debris, and try carrying several small loads instead. Not only will this tactic reduce the risk of lower back injury, but it will also prevent you from struggling throughout the process.
  2. Keep heavy loads close to your body when lifting and use a wide support base. 
  3. Ask your family members or friends to help because teamwork will not only make gardening easier it will also make it more enjoyable. 
  4. Sit on a step stool when doing low-level work as this will limit low back strain.

These simple steps will make a very big difference, so no matter how excited you may be, you need to take the time to do it right; otherwise, you may end up with an injury. Selecting the right tools is equally as important as this, too will help you avoid a lower back injury. Buy a watering can with a long spout, as this will allow you to access your plants more easily without having to hold heavy loads away from your body. The use of knee pads or portable cushions is also highly recommended as these will protect your joints when kneeling. Always stretch before and after gardening and take breaks to ease muscle strain.

You should also be mindful of sunburns, and heat stroke, so use lots of sunscreens and drink plenty of water. Wear a hat to help reduce dehydration and try to garden early in the morning or late in the day if possible.

If you do experience lower back pain as a result of gardening or any other activity, you will have to seek treatment from a reputable physiotherapist—the experts at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic can help! We will provide you with the best treatment, and our techniques, skills and experience will help manage your pain. We provide comprehensive physiotherapy services, including acupuncture. If you are looking for a physiotherapist near you in Pickering or Ajax, contact our clinic today!

Shoulder Pain Treatment

Chiropractor in Pickering

Shoulder pain will cause everyday activities to become painful, and even simple tasks like reaching for an item or throwing a ball will become challenging. If you cannot lift your child or reach for an item from a kitchen cabinet without pain, it is time to seek help, and the good news is that there are treatments that can help eliminate shoulder pain.

Physiotherapy and acupuncture are both effective in this regard, and these treatments do not involve painkillers or medication, so they are worth trying. We will consider your injury type, lifestyle, and any additional risk factors. We will then create a customized treatment plan based on this information.

Types of Shoulder Pain

Frozen Shoulder

Stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint are symptoms of a frozen shoulder that can last several months. Acupuncture and physiotherapy will help manage your pain through manual therapy and specific exercises. A physiotherapist will work with the stabilizing muscles and on muscle balance and patterning. They will consider the severity of your pain and help you modify your activities at work and home. The recovery process will be gradual so expect slow and steady progress over time.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Pain and stiffness when raising or lowering your arm are symptoms of this injury, as is minor pain present both during activity and while resting. Sudden pain with lifting and reaching movements and pain radiating from the front of the shoulder to the side of the arm are also signs of this condition, usually resulting from an injury that will set off a cycle of inflammation and pain. 

Acupuncture is very effective and can be combined with other therapeutic approaches like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), moist heat, and ice. A physiotherapist will improve the active and passive range of motion through exercise and manual therapy to help you manage your pain. You can expect a rapid healing phase, so do not wait to seek treatment if you suffer from this condition.

Shoulder Tendon Tear

Pain or weakness when lifting or lowering your arm with specific movements and pain while resting or at night are symptoms of this condition, as is a crackling sensation when moving your shoulder in certain positions. There are two kinds of tears; a partial one that will damage the soft tissue without completely severing it and a complete tear that will split the soft tissue into two pieces. Repeating the same motion over and over again can cause repetitive stress, and this can lead to tendon tears. Baseball, tennis, and weightlifting can put you at risk, as can routine jobs and chores.

A physiotherapist will apply the same approach as tendonitis for a partial tear, although a full tear would most likely require surgery. A physiotherapist can work with post-surgical patients to ensure optimal recovery.

Here at Apex Physiotherapy & Chiropractic, we can help treat shoulder pain, so you can rely on our services. If you are interested in acupuncture or are looking for a reputable physiotherapist near me in the Pickering or Ajax areas, contact us today to schedule an appointment!