Gardening safety as the warmer temps start to set in

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – With the warmer temperatures hitting the Red River Valley, that means more and more people are going to hit the gardens. But gardening can be taxing on the body, especially if you don’t do it properly.

Medical experts say getting in a stretch before you are gardening can help avoid those injuries that can keep you from enjoying the sunshine. Allison Klug, a chiropractor with Essentia Health shares what are the two most common injuries she sees from patients that come in from gardening injuries.

“Most of what we see is a lumbar strain. So like a muscle strain in the low back just from repetitive bending, lifting, twisting,” said Klug. “You are in a lot of awkward positions sometimes when you are gardening. Sometimes too, our older patients that have arthritis can flare up from these types of activities as well. Those are probably our two most common.”

Klug recommends doing cool-off stretching after gardening before hitting the couch or resting.