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Activity: Gardening

When spring and summer roll around, many people are itching to go out to work on their yards and gardens. When considering gardening, many people immediately think of back pain from the pulling and bending. However, it is necessary to recognize many repetitive movements, such as raking, weeding, digging, and pruning, are very stressful to the smaller muscles of the hands, wrists and arms as well.

Preventing Injury for Gardening

Here are some tips for how to avoid injury while gardening:
  • Wear gloves at all times. Bacteria and fungus live in the soil, and a small cut or break in the skin can develop into a hand infection.
  • Take breaks. Vary garden activities; rotate every 15 minutes with brief rest periods to avoid overuse of the same muscles, as the hand's small muscles are easily fatigued.
  • Hands aren't a replacement for tools. Use a garden hoe instead of your hand for digging. Use a scissors or a knife to open bags of soil and fertilizer.
  • Watch the position of your wrist. Try to keep your wrist in a neutral position, avoiding unusual angles.
  • Find the right tool. There are many hand tools on the market that have ergonomic designs that ease hand pain and stress.
  • Stretch. Remember to perform some stretches to the muscles of the hands and arms prior to or during gardening and especially if muscles begin to complain.

Common Conditions for Gardening

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hand numbness and pain result from increased pressure is placed on the nerve. Learn More
Dequervain’s tendonitis
This condition is a painful inflammation on the thumb side of the wrist.

Golfer’s or Tennis Elbow
A painful inflammation occurs in the inside (Golfer’s elbow) or outside (Tennis elbow) of the elbow.

Lower Back Pain
Pain can be caused from the strain of repetitive bending, pulling, digging and lifting.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Overuse, tramatic injury or muscle imbalances can cause a group of conditions that impact the area surrounding the kneecap. This results in damage, strain or inflammation of the structures, which leads to pain. Learn More
If you didn't find what you were looking for, try searching General Conditions.
To make an appointment, call 952.831.TRIA (8742)