The gardens are planted, so much of the strenuous work is done. After spending a few hours working in our garden this weekend, I know that gardening can be a strain on the body even after the seeds are in the ground.

Weed pulling, hoeing, watering, pruning and then harvesting the fruits, flowers and vegetables can all cause aches and pains you're not used to. Some aches are minor and may go away quickly but others may indicate a more serious problem and may require further treatment.

Because you're using muscles you may not have used in a while, it's wise, even if you are extremely fit, to prepare your body for your adventures in the garden.

Be sure to stretch before you start. Warming up your muscles with stretches before going out will reduce the stress and strain on your joints and muscles thus reducing the chance of injury. The warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for any other physical activity. Just because you're not running a marathon or racing in a triathlon doesn't mean you can ignore the preparation your body needs to exert itself.

Don't forget to bend your knees to lift with ease. When lifting, keep your back straight and bend your knees while remembering to carry the load close to your body and avoid twisting. Did you know that there are gardening tools that are ergonomically designed to help alleviate the stress on your body? Check out the hardware store or garden specialty shops to find these. You'll be amazed at how much easier some of your chores in the garden can be with the proper tools.

Last but not least, don't forget to take a break before you ache. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists are all major muscle groups affected when using your green thumbs. Take a brief rest or stretch break at least three times each

hour and drink fluids frequently.

By following the suggestions I mentioned, I'm certain your times in the garden will be more enjoyable, but I can't stress enough how important it is to have your spine examined before you experience pain and injury from exercise... whether it be in the garden or baseball field or bike path.

By having your spine examined by a chiropractor, you will know if your spine is aligned and allowing your nervous system to work as it should. If any of the 24 bones of your spine are not perfectly aligned, problems can arise with your health. You may experience pain or illness or you may be symptom free. Damage can be happening to your body without any symptoms being present. By having your spine checked, a chiropractor can tell if there is a misalignment. The bone can be gently moved back into its proper place and further problems can be avoided.

The nervous system works because the nerves that enter and exit the spinal column give messages to the brain that then direct the organs, tissues and cells of our body to function. When one of these many nerves is not allowed to work properly due to a spinal bone interfering with it, disease, injury or illness occurs. The spine plays a vital role in our health because of its role in the function of the nervous system. So, whether you're in the garden, resting or at work, your spine needs to be allowing the nervous system to do its job. We can help it along by taking care of our spine and allowing life to be the best it can be!

If you have questions concerning chiropractic and how it can help you to be your healthiest ever, give us a call at (208) 667-7434. You can also find us on the Web at www.CDAHealth.com.