Spring is in the air, so you’re probably itching to go outside and get your hands dirty. But before you dig in, keep these tips in mind to help prevent wrist pain after gardening.
1. Warm Up First
Just like you’d stretch before going on a run, give your hands and wrists some time to warm up before starting a major gardening project. Perform a few simple stretches to warm up your hands, wrists and arms, such as folding your hands together and gently extend your arms as you turn your palms outward.
2. Use the Right Tools
For every project you start, make sure you have the right tools for that job. You should also check to see that they’re not broken or damaged. Use hand tools with padded handles whenever possible to help protect your hands and wrists as you work.
3. Take a Break
Always wear gloves when gardening to help prevent infections from bacteria and fungi that live in soil.
Performing the same task over and over again for long periods of time can lead to repetitive strain injuries like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger fingers. To help prevent these common hand problems, take a break at least every hour or try switching to a different task that doesn’t require the same hand and wrist movements.
4. Know Proper Body Mechanics
Many wrist injuries are caused by improper lifting techniques, especially when carrying or pushing something heavy like a wheelbarrow or bucket of water. When pushing something, always keep the height of your hands and wrists between your elbows and hips. When lifting a bucket, for example, keep your wrists straight and use the muscles in your arms and throughout your body to support the weight, not your wrists.
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