If spring sunshine and warm temperatures bring out your "inner gardener", be aware that your body may not be prepared to accommodate the physical activity involved in hoeing, pulling weeds, planting bulbs and preparing a vegetable garden. When exercising your green thumb, you are also exerting muscles, tendons and ligaments in your shoulders, thighs, back, legs, arms, and wrists. At Geaux Chiro, we treat many patients during the spring and early summer months who have suffered painful musculoskeletal injuries due to gardening activity. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of soft tissue injury before grabbing your shovel and hoe by performing these warm-up exercises to prepare your body for intense physical activity.
5 Great Garden Fitness Stretches
1. Before performing stretching exercise, take the time to do breathing exercises that enriches the bloodstream with extra oxygen. Muscles rely on oxygen molecules to conduct chemical processes essential for strength, endurance, and general health. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly while sitting in a comfortable position. Extend your lungs as far as you can without feeling dizzy or out of [...]