Yard Work and Gardening: Alleviate Muscle Pain

Yard Work and Gardening: Alleviate Muscle Pain

Yardwork and gardening are rigorous and tasking activities that can take a toll on your body. Although most people prefer to do the tasks weekly on their property or daily to earn a living, muscle aches following up is not fun.
 

Sometimes, you treat the pain by soaking in a tub, but the pain still lingers to confirm how hard you pushed yourself. Luckily, there are various options to give you relief from muscle and back pain from yard work and gardening.

Stretches

Before beginning your gardening and yard work, it is advisable to spend some time stretching. Take 10 to 15 minutes of your time to stretch your body as a warm-up for the work ahead of you. Heading straight into an intense job can increase your risk of tearing your muscles.

The intensity and physical strain of the work can cause you pain. The gentle stretches give your muscles the chance to adjust before indulging in the activity. Doing so will keep your spine, neck, and back balanced, healthy, and free of any tension.
 

Good Form

Proper form is critical as you go about your gardening and yard work. It helps avoid injuries that can affect your ability to continue with the job or function properly. Avoid bending at your waist when doing activities such as planting or lifting things.

Try to keep your spine straight instead. Also, bend your knees while you are at it. Keep all your joints straight as you do your yard work or gardening. Avoid leaning or twisting at angles that can harm you.
 

Chiropractic Care 

Visit your chiropractor if gardening or yard work causes you too much muscle pain. Several chiropractic methods can reduce your pain and inflammation. 

Some of the techniques include:

• Cold therapy constricts blood vessels to reduce blood flow, inflammation, swelling, and pain.
• Heat therapy helps increase blood flow and reduce muscle stiffness and pain. It also increases your range of motion to make your work easier.
• Electrical stimulation releases electric currents that relieve pain and inflammation.
• Ultrasound uses sound waves that promote blood flow to reduce pain by penetrating deep into your body tissues.

Home Treatments

Home remedies can relieve pain due to minor injuries from too much stress. Treat your pain by using the following remedies:

• Stretching your affected muscles carefully.
• Using over-the-counter painkillers.
• Rest the affected parts or stop the work causing you pain for a while.
• Use an ice pack to relieve your pain for at least 15 to 20 minutes thrice every day.
• Take part in activities such as yoga to reduce pain and relax your body.

Stay Hydrated

Staying under the sun while doing yard work can dehydrate you. The dehydration can lead to muscle aches. It is essential to drink enough water to enable your body to function well. Your body can shut down if it lacks enough fluids to keep it going.

The recommended amount of water to drink daily is six to eight glasses of water. If the hot weather outdoors makes you sweat more than you would, you may need to drink more water.

For more on alleviating muscle pain, visit Ogden Wellness Center at our office in Ogden, Utah. You can also call (801) 406-3949 to book an appointment today.