Move Like A Child To Protect Your Back

Ever watched a child find something they like ? They look by skootching down close to the object they want. Their body is lined up straight with what they want to see and touch. 

The child moves their body in as close as possible to the object they want.

As adults we often move differently. When we want something, we often  bend over from the waist. 

We frequently don't line ourselves directly up with what we want to see or reach.

Our adult way of picking up things or bending over can lead to sore backs. Very sore backs and some serious back strain.

By bending over from the waist we put enormous stress and strain on our lower back. 

When we reach sideways, we're asking our backs to not only carry the weight of what we're picking up. We're also asking our back to stabilize, and hold our entire body weight from tipping over. 

If you think about it, our lower back muscles are small muscles. They aren't designed to hold up our entire body weight. Their job is to stabiize or hold our body  steady when standing.

In contrast look at your leg muscles. They are much bigger and stronger. That's because they are designed to move our body-up, down, and sideways.

Think about the last time your back ached. Was it one side of your back? You could be over reaching and stressing your back. 

Was it the middle or lower part of your back? You could be bending from the waist and not the knees.  It maybe time to rethink and redo the way you move in your garden.

So next time you're working or playing in your garden, remember to move like a child. Adaptive gardening is for everyone.

• Get down as close to the plants or flowers you are working on.
• Line yourself up with what you want to reach directly in front of you.
• Use your legs not your back to move your body.

If you are experiencing back pain, stop. Do not try to continue to work the "kinks" out. Pain is one way your body tells you to stop doing something. Listen to your body. Consulting with your health care provider can help prevent further injury to your back.

So move and play like a child. Adapt your gardening and protect your back.  Remember to play in your garden like a child does. Your back will thank you.

All in a gardener's day,

Thanks to sjones71  for the inspiration for the post. I'm working on more back tips. And thanks tor the use of the photos: to Anita Levesque for the photo of the child in the garden, to  Dominic Morel for the photo of the person bending over, and to Michal Koralewski for the photo of the woman picking flowers