Avoiding Aches and Strains in the Garden

Gardening is a popular pastime and sounds harmless enough, but like any physical activity it can be the cause of minor aches and pains, and even more serious accidents, if proper care is not taken to lift and bend correctly and sit or stand in a good posture.

Over the last few years, many products have been designed and manufactured under the general category of ‘Aids to Daily Living’ which basically means pretty much what it says. It basically refers to any product which can make daily tasks that little bit easier and spare us the minor niggles that get in the way of us doing things.

The garden, previously seen as a predominantly male domain, has become a popular place for both sexes to engage in activity, with the growth of a plethora of TV programmes enthusing a whole new generation of avid gardeners to get out there and enjoy the activity.

So where does the danger come in, surely gardening couldn’t do anything to us? Well ask any local Accident and Emergency department and they will tell you something different. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) states on their website that 300,000 accidents serious enough to require hospital treatment happen each year! 5,300 alone from the innocuous flowerpot!

We all know that friend or neighbour who has ‘done their back in’ or suffered a knock or cut in their garden, so it can be worth getting well prepared!

Kneeling Mat

Products that can help greatly in the garden start with the kneeling mat. A good kneeling mat provides comfort when weeding or doing any task that requires working on a low area. It can promote a better posture, so preventing that common gardener complaint of lower back strain, or knee injuries due to reaching down in awkward positions.

Ergonomic Tools

Ergonomic tools, such as cultivators and trowels give a better grip and can prevent strains in the hands and wrists that can happen when trying to manipulate tools that have a poor grip area. These tools complement the long handled gardening tools that prevent back, shoulder and knee strains from common over-reaching positions that can occur when trying to use traditional, un-adapted gardening tools.

Garden Seat

The wheeled garden seat is an invaluable addition to the toolkit of any gardener who spends more than just a few minutes of work. It can easily be maneuvered into the correct location and position to provide comfort over a longer period of time, especially for the less mobile gardener.

Add-on Handles

Add-on handles can also assist, these are simply small extra handles that can be added to spades, hoes and forks or other tools to give another area of grip that can prevent twisting or reaching injuries that can happen with normal everyday tools.

Gardening is a safe and enjoyable pastime and if done with care, most will only experience the benefits of moving around and taking in fresh air. If a few additional innovations can help keep you safe and make the experience even more pleasurable, then it may be well worth a look.

Mobility Smart is a UK based retailer of mobility products and their website has many products that make the users life easier, safer and more enjoyable. For the range of tools mentioned in this article, and many more ideas, see their website at www.mobilitysmart.cc

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