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AVOID ACHES & PAINS IN THE GARDEN THIS SPRING

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Keep up with your physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and prevent further injuries. If your pain doesn’t subside, consult with your therapist about what other things might be causing pain. Call St. Luke’s & East Tennessee Rehab Center for a complimentary injury consultation. We will guide you so you can get back to the activities you love. • Anodyne Therapy • Aquamed Dry Hydrotherapy • Aquatic Therapy • ATM (Acute • Back Pain • Carpal Tunnel • Fibromyalgia • Graston • Industrial Rehab • Integrative Dry Needling • Lymphedema • Neck Pain • Nerve Function • Osteoporosis • Pediatric Therapy • Pregnancy • Rheumatoid Arthritis • Shoulder Pain • Wound Care HAS YOUR PA I N COME BACK? Therapeutic Movement) • Hand Therapy • Incontinence 1 2 3

EXERC I SE ESSENT I AL S US E T H I S E X E RC I S E TO K E E P YOU S T RONG • If kneeling or leaning down to the ground causes significant pain in your back or knees, consider using elevated planters to do your gardening. • Avoid bending your wrist upwards when pulling things or using gardening tools. Instead, keep your wrist straight and use your shoulder muscles to pull and lift. • End your gardening session with some gentle backward bending of your low back, a short walk and light stretching, similar to stretches done before starting. Author: Andrea Avruskin PT, DPT Common gardening activities, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints. This is especially true for senior citizens and people who are normally sedentary. Different body areas such as the shoulders, neck, back, and knees can be vulnerable to injury during gardening. These tips can help prevent injuries: • Warm up before you garden. A 10 minute brisk walk and stretches for the spine and limbs are good ways to warm up. • Change positions frequently to avoid stiffness or cramping. • Make use of a garden cart or wheelbarrow to move heavy planting materials or tools. Be sure to keep your back straight while using a wheelbarrow. • If kneeling on both knees causes discomfort in your back, try kneeling on one and keep the other foot on the ground. Use knee pads or a gardening pad when kneeling.

Exercises copyright of

SIDE LUNGE Stand with good posture.

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Lunge to the side. Keep back straight and your hip, knee and ankle aligned. Return to the start position. Repeat 6-10 times on both sides.

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Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

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