Top Benefits of Stretching & Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain After Gardening

Gardening offers many incredible mental and physical benefits. However, after many hours, it can also give way to unwanted aches and pains. With plenty of bending, twisting, and digging, this leisurely hobby can take its toll on the human body.

So, can physical therapy help? What should you know? Below, we take a closer look!

How Can Physical Therapy and Stretching Ease Your Lower Back Pain?

Physical therapy is all about helping you get back to your normal functioning. Your physical therapist will often prescribe stretching as part of your treatment plan, and here’s why!

1. Reduces Pain

A physical therapist will work with you to provide immediate relief from your back pain, using manual therapy, massage, heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, and prescribed exercises (including stretching!).

Stretching exercises can help you to remain pain-free for longer by strengthening your muscles and increasing your flexibility. This means you remain more agile and also have go-to techniques to combat tension or tightness before and after each gardening session (more on this coming up!).

2. Decreases Muscle Tension

Long hours spent in the same position can lead to increasing muscle tension and stiffness. Most of us know this, but it’s not until we’re getting up from that position that we realize we shouldn’t have stayed that way for so long.

A quick tip for when you’re gardening: Consider setting an alarm every 15-20 minutes. This can remind you to switch up your position or move to prevent increased muscle tension.

But how can physical therapy help? Well, stretching prescribed by a physical therapist has many advantages, including easing back stiffness and tension. Stretching and other manual therapy techniques elongate the muscles, releasing adhesions and other causes of muscle tightness.

3. Increases Blood Flow

Like any type of exercise, active stretching can help enhance circulation. As a result, your tissues and muscles receive all that good stuff, including nutrients and more, to encourage healing and alleviate pain.

4. Strengthens Muscles

Your core muscles are pivotal when it comes to spinal support. Weak core muscles can actually make you more susceptible to back pain, such as that which may arise when gardening. However, research indicates that increasing core strength can alleviate chronic back pain.

A strong core can provide stability to the spine and reduce unnecessary strain on your lower back, while strong back and hip muscles help to maintain proper posture and body mechanics. And your physical therapist can provide you with appropriate exercises to help improve your core strength!

And when you have a stronger core… you can spend more time in the garden without worrying about the after-effects!

If you’re looking for more ways to alleviate your back pain, trust our back doctors at Tampa Spine and Wellness. Whether you require a physical therapist or chiropractor in Tampa, our team is ready to help. Say goodbye to back pain, and book your appointment today!