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Back to gardening? Take care of your back says the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island.

woman-gardening-with-back-pain-reversedRhode Island…

New Jersey may have the nickname of “The Garden State” but many Ocean Staters enjoy the delights of a backyard garden, too. For many, tending to a garden can create more than just a bountiful dinner table. It can include back pain. To that end, Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island offers some quick tips to keep your back sound for gardening throughout the summer.

While stretching is key, the key to a good stretch is breathing. Breathe out and in slowly and rhythmically as you stretch. You want to stretch as far and as comfortably as you can but not to the point of pain. That said, here are some basic stretches to do before gardening:

  • While sitting, prop your heel on a stool or step, keeping your knees straight. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh, or the hamstring muscle. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds, then do it once more and repeat with your other leg.
  • Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. Pull your heel towards your buttocks and hold for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with your other leg.
  • Standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up and then lean to one side for 10 seconds and then to the other. Do this stretch three times to each site.
  • Do the “Hug your best friend” stretch. Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, stretching as far as you can comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds and reverse. Repeat two or three times.

“These stretches are great as a warm up, but once you start gardening, you need to be very aware of your body technique, body form and correct posture while you work in the garden,” said Dr. Michael Gottfried, president of The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and a practicing chiropractor at Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, Rhode Island. “Remember to kneel, don’t bend, and alternate your stance and movements as often as possible to keep your muscles and body balanced.”

The Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island, founded in 1918, is one of the oldest chiropractic associations in the country and represents over 60 of the practicing chiropractic physicians in the state of RI. Chiropractic is the largest non-drug health care profession in the US. The chiropractic profession has been affording relief for many types of health conditions naturally, without drugs and their potentially harmful side-effects, for over 100 years.

More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxations have on the tissue of the body. Subluxation occurs when a joint is misaligned and causing pressure or irritation to the surrounding tissue and nerves, thereby affecting body function. Chiropractors are trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation.

Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island is located at 1272 West Main Road, Building 2, Middletown, RI 02842. For more information, call (401) 207-0700 or visit www.RIchiro.org.