Yard Work & Gardening: Alleviate Muscle Pain this Spring

Yard work and gardening can be beneficial to both physical and mental health. But, as with any exercise or physical activity, there is a risk of injury and pain. This spring, focus on preventing pain while gardening. At Skocik Chiropractic, we want to help our friends in Harrisburg to enjoy time in their yards and gardens by preventing muscle pain and finding natural solutions to aches or injuries that do occur.

Preventing Pain While Gardening

Before you start your yard or garden work, it’s a good idea to spend 10 to 15 minutes stretching. When you jump too quickly into intense physical exercise, such as yard work, your muscles are more prone to injuries and pain. By warming up with gentle stretches, your muscles have a chance to adjust to the activity. Start with these stretches to warm up your shoulders, back, and neck.

Reliving Pain After Yard Work

Even after stretching and preparing your body for the physical labor of yard work or gardening, you may feel a bit sore or achy afterward. Most muscle soreness will subside within a day to two, with rest. If you do have aches or pains after gardening, take a rest day to allow your body to heal itself. By taking a break from exercise and physical activity, your body to focus its resources on repairing your muscles.

Using an ice pack while resting can also help speed the recovery process. If you have pain in an isolated area, wrap a cold pack in a towel and apply it to the impacted area for 10 minutes. Repeat this process up to three times a day for the first 48 hours. Then, swap the ice pack for a heating pad to soothe away any remaining aches.

Contact Us for Chiropractic Care in Harrisburg, PA

If you sustained an injury while working in your garden or would like help with preventing pain in the future, give our team a call today. At Skocik Chiropractic, we can help residents of Harrisburg find relief from pain so they can get back to living pain-free. Contact us to find out how we can help.