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Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Naperville Gardener – Gardeners Are Athletes

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For over a year I have been in misery and my gardens show it all too well since I missed fall and spring gardening. But I’m slowly getting caught up.

Now, under the care of Carson Lux, physical therapist at Athletico Physical Therapy, program head of functional movement and the western regional leader of the hip preservation team, I feel there is light at the end of my very long, very dark tunnel. During my sessions, I ask him how to garden and not further hurt myself.

When I first walked into the facility, I felt like an aging, gardening grandma in a room of youthful athletes- runners, tennis players, golfers, etc. Carson pointed out that gardeners are athletes, too. We should warm up before gardening for five to ten minutes to get our blood flowing and also do some post-gardening stretching. A book Carson recommends that covers stretching for almost every activity, including gardening, is “Stretching: 30th Anniversary Edition” by Bob Anderson.

Carson tells me to maintain a neutral spine position, keeping that slight arch in my lower back, avoiding bending forward at the waist and rounding out the lower back. If we bend over with our knees locked, we’re picking up 50 percent of our body weight- in addition to the weight of whatever we’re lifting!!! Keep the object as close to your body as possible, minimizing the strain on the lower back. Another of Carson’s helpful tips is to “test” the weight of the object before fully picking it up. Frequently he sees the injured who have been surprised by the actual weight of the object they are lifting. Carson is adamant that if we feel pain at any time, stop. Never work through the pain!

A Free Injury Screen is offered at all Athletico Physical Therapy sites. If you’re having pain or dysfunction it can be assessed whether the complaint can be addressed with a few easy exercises or if you need to be seen by your physician. Carson has been very helpful in showing me better motions to complete my activities.

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Marilyn Krueger
Marilyn Kruegerhttp://www.napervillegardenclub.org
Marilyn Krueger is an avid local gardener and member of the Naperville Garden Club.

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