Do You Suffer From Backpain? Can’t Do As Much Gardening?
Before starting fredshed I worked for 6 years as a horticultural therapist, helping
elderly and disabled people at The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, England.
The “Nuffield” is one of the worlds leading
Orthopaedic hospitals and is famous for pioneering surgery. As part of my work I helped
teach on a course for people with serious back problems.
My job involved researching tools and techniques to
help people use gardening as a form of “rehabilatative therapy” often after
surgery. During this time I produced 2 books and obtained and tested hundreds of tools
from around the world.
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Working as a Horticultural Therapist at the Nuffield Orthopedic
Centre in Oxford.
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On this page I will outline some important principles
for working with tools in the home and garden and feature a few special tools that are
particularly good if you have a back problem. **
** The advice on this page is written for people with
minor back problems such as low grade pain (backache) and difficulty bending. If you have
these problems or anything more serious then I recommend that you consult a
qualified physician or therapist before undertaking any serious gardening or DIY work.
For detailed and more personal advice,. e mail fred@fredshed.com for details.
| To see my Tools Database for Elderly and Disabled People | www.carryongardening.org.uk | |
“My
Back is done in and I can’t do the gardening anymore!”
How many times have I heard this from
desperate and depressed patients in the hospital. Well for what it is worth my own back
really is "done in"** so much so that I am paralysed from the waist down and use
a wheelchair.
However! I
can usually do the gardening, and if I had the time, I could come and do yours too!
The secret to gardening with any kind of back problem
is to use your brain, think more, find special tools and equipment to
reduce strain and most importantly
PACE YOURSELF - TAKE RESTS –
DON’T DO TOO MUCH
STOP BEFORE IT HURTS
Unless you are prepared to take on these ideas in full
then, I would recommend that you give up now and hire a gardener or call in the
concreters.
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Still with me?
good!
To overcome this type of problem you need
to be determined and not be put off. There is a saying, "where there is a will-
there is a way".
Firstly, know all you can about your condition, seek
advice from different sources, and become your own expert,but part of the team. You could
even keep a diary to try to identify what effects your condition.
Before doing any gardening or DIY make sure you do a
few warm-up exercises. Gently stretch and move to prepare your body. Wear the comfortable
clothes, and try not to get cold.
Think of your garden or work area as a GYM,
do the work carefully and properly and you will benefit. Overdo it or misuse the equipment
and you may get hurt.
Pace yourself, even keep a timer in your pocket.
Don’t be a Turkey and stop when you hurt. Stop
before and come back to fight another day.
Think like an athlete, when you stop, cool
down, do a few gentle cool down exercises, go and rest, maybe have a cup of tea, (have one
for me).
The following tools are some of those I often recommended for people with
back problems**
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A long handled Spork - keep that back straight! |
Ideal for weeding, digging over and small hole making |
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A Soil Miller - an alternative to digging with a fork |
Long handled fork and trowel - from Draper Tools |
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The blocks to build this raised planter comes in 4inch sq blocks of varying lengths that all lock together with wooden poles. The wood is pressure treated and will last for years. Construction is easy and planters can be produced in many shapes and sizes to suit your needs.
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For more tools or enquiries e mail fred@fredshed.com
LIKE TO HELP ME TO HELP PEOPLE WITH BACKPAIN? USE THE SEARCH BOX BELOW TO FIND AND BUY ANY BOOK
© Fred Walden 2007
