Gardening is a wonderful hobby (or full-time job!) that allows you to reconnect with nature and spend time outdoors. But for many of you, who suffer from aches and pains, gardening can be a daunting task. The gardening may even be causing some new aches and pains and slowing you down. This is where sports massage and deep tissue massage therapy can come in handy. In this journal, I will discuss how spending more time in the garden can be beneficial for your physical and mental health and how massage therapy can help you do that. By moving better and therefore enjoying gardening even more.
Gardening makes us feel better! Even the Royal Horticultural Society says, 'Make gardening part of your everyday life'¹
With the weather improving day by day we're all out and about in our gardens getting them Spring and Summer ready. How are you finding it being back out in the garden?
Do you have any issues spending time in the garden? Are any aches and pains slowing you down or maybe even stopping you from getting what you want to be done? Do you feel like you'd want to spend more time out there but don't know if your body can do it?
I'm confident I can help with answering your questions. During a massage treatment, I will focus on improving your mobility so that you can spend longer doing what you love (or maybe hate, if it's the weeding bit!).
I'll teach you the tricks to get through a gruelling digging session! We all overdo it sometimes, we're all human, but let's try and give ourselves some self-care, and feel better so we can move that bit better too.
I'll work closely with you by tailoring the treatment to your needs. Some of you will have lower back pain and some of you may suffer from sore arms or hands after digging. Whatever the pain, I'm sure I can make it better by creating a bespoke massage treatment just for you.
The Benefits of Spending Time in the Garden
Gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors and get some fresh air. Not only that but it has been shown to have a number of physical and mental health benefits.
'Gardening can also help maintain independence and prevent cognitive decline.'²
Gardening can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and boost your mood. It is also a great form of exercise that can improve your cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.
Gardeners might be delighted to learn that the number of calories burnt from 30 minutes of gardening is comparable to playing badminton, volleyball or practising yoga.³
Common Aches and Pains from Gardening
While gardening is a great way to stay active, it can also cause a number of aches and pains. Common gardening injuries include lower back pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain. This is because gardening requires a lot of bending, kneeling, and reaching, which can put a strain on your muscles and joints.
How Sports Massage Therapy Can Help Gardeners
Sports massage and deep tissue massage therapy can help gardeners move better and enjoy their hobby even more. My massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension, increase range of motion, and improve circulation. This can help prevent injuries and alleviate pain from existing injuries.
For example, if you suffer from lower back pain after gardening, I can work on your lower back muscles to release tension and reduce pain.
I may also use deep tissue massage techniques to calm your nervous system and increase blood flow to the area, which can promote healing.
The Impact of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can have a profound impact on your physical and mental health. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost your immune system. Massage therapy can also help improve your movement and increase your body awareness, which can help prevent future injuries.
For example, if you suffer from shoulder pain after gardening, I will work on your shoulder muscles to improve your mind-to-body connection to eventually reduce the strain on your joints. This can help prevent future injuries and alleviate pain from existing injuries.
Read about James' 70-year old client who, after receiving massage treatment, was able to spend more time in the garden.
The Importance of Self-Care
As we've discussed (and proved!) Gardening can be a wonderful way to take care of your physical and mental health, but it is also important to take care of yourself. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep. It also includes taking care of any aches and pains that may arise from gardening.
Massage therapy is a great way to take care of yourself and prevent injuries. By getting regular sports massage or deep tissue massage therapy, you can ensure that your muscles and joints are healthy and pain-free, so you can continue to enjoy your gardening hobby for years to come.
I will send you off with all the right tips too
In addition to providing immediate relief
for aches and pains, I will also give you tips on how best to move your body in the garden to avoid pain in the future.
For example, I may suggest that you use a kneeling pad to reduce the strain on your knees when working on the ground. I'll also remind you to take frequent breaks to stretch your muscles and avoid overexertion.
I'll teach you proper lifting techniques to prevent lower back pain suggesting that you bend your knees and use your leg and glute muscles to lift heavy objects instead of relying on your back muscles.
Additionally, I am qualified to teach you how to engage your core muscles to improve your posture and prevent strain on your shoulders and back. This can be especially important when using tools such as rakes or shovels, which can strain your upper body greatly.
By working with me, you can learn how to move your body safely and effectively, so you can continue to enjoy your gardening hobby without experiencing pain or injury.
Make sure you get your appointment in the diary!
Book your massage with me, James, at my Goudhurst Home Clinic, based in the Weald of Kent and I'll work with you on how best to approach the tasks at hand so we can get you moving and feeling better (and spending more time weeding and digging!).
If you enjoy my content and would like to support me you can buy me a hot chocolate!
References:
Gardening Makes Us Feel Better!" by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis by Soga, Gaston & Yamaura
Calories Burned in 30-minute activities: A study by Harvard University