Safety Tips For Gardening

Spring is here, and that means it is the perfect time to start gardening! Gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors while adding beauty to your community and nutrition to your life. Although gardening can seem like an easy hobby, it can also be quite the workout and put a strain on your body.

When gardening, you want to make sure to protect your body. While we take care of our grass and make it look nice, we are also putting chemicals into it. We also want to protect ourselves from the UV rays of the sun, insects, and garden pests. There are easy ways to protect us from these dangerous situations.

-First, make sure you are dressed the part! Long pants, sneakers, and safety goggles should all be worn to prevent injury when using certain gardening tools and equipment.

-Next, make sure you are always wearing gloves to decrease the chance of developing any skin irritations and cuts.

-Always wear bug spray. This will protect you from developing any diseases caused by certain insects, such as ticks or mosquitoes. Wearing high boots or high socks is a good way to decrease the chance of any contact with ticks.

-No matter how hot or cool it is outside, make sure to always wear sunblock! We don’t always realize just how strong the sun really is, especially when we are outside for hours at a time. Also, if you know you are going to be outside for a long period of time, make sure to stay hydrated and eat healthy foods.

Now that you have all of these gardening tips! Get outdoors and enjoy the gorgeous weather while benefiting yourself as well as your community!

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400. 

Exercising Outdoors

Going to the gym and exercising indoors has many benefits, but outdoor exercising can be even better. Consider working out outside this spring and summer. Not only will the outdoors help you to exercise better, it’ll help you to exercise longer. Do you enjoy running or riding a bicycle? These activities are especially better outside. After all, all you have to do is walk right out the door. How easy is that?

Yes, the treadmill is a great piece of exercise equipment, but it can’t compare to running on the pavement. Running outdoors provides wind resistance and changes in the terrain, causing you to exert more energy. Running downhill on pavement will work your muscles differently than the flat or uphill terrain options on the treadmill. The outdoor surfaces also result in runners flexing their ankles more. Many people also say they enjoy running outdoors because of the atmosphere around them. It’s as if they have a destination they’re running to instead of staying in one place on a treadmill.

Biking outdoors has benefits as well. The bicycles provided at the gym get your heart rate going, which is great, but outdoor biking uses more muscles. Outdoor biking puts your hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, shins, and calves to work. One can also burn a lot of calories by pedaling enough. It may be tough to balance, pedal and navigate all at the same time, but try to avoid letting the bicycle glide along without you working for it. You’ll get in a better workout that way.

By saying this, it’s not meant for people to stop using the treadmill and indoor bicycles. They have their purpose and benefits as well, but why not exercise outside when you have the chance? It’ll be a different workout for your body and the sun has its perks as well, along with fresh air. Being outdoors provides the refreshing connection with nature, as well as enriching your oxygen levels and improving the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Get outside and get exercising! It’s good for your body and mind.

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.

Preventing Golf Injuries

Golf is a very popular recreational sport within the United States. People often underestimate golf because of the fact that it’s a low-level physical activity, but that’s not always the case as there is always a risk of injury while playing golf. The most common golfing injuries are due to poor mechanics or overuse. There are numerous tips to take into consideration before and while golfing.

Most golf injuries are avoidable. Learning how to swing properly is crucial. Simply understanding the mechanics will help to decrease the risk of injury. Some of the common injuries include back pain, golfer’s elbow, shoulder pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. By learning how to adjust your swing, these injuries can be prevented. A proper posture and evenly utilizing your muscle groups are all important for your swing. You should stand with your feet as far apart as your shoulders and place equal weight on both feet. Refrain from hunching over the golf ball as that can cause back pain.

Next is evenly utilizing your muscle groups. This means you’re not depending on only one part of your body when hitting. The muscles from your wrists to your ankles should have similar pressure applied to them. Overusing a muscle will only increase the risk of injury to that muscle. Last but not least, when learning to perfect your swing, you’ll want to make sure you’re not over swinging. Swinging the club hard and fast is not necessary. Easy swings will not only benefit your score, but also help your body decrease the likelihood of getting hurt. It may be a common tactic in attempt to get the ball to fly further, but it will eventually take toll on the muscles.  Club up, and take an easier swing, you’ll be much more happy with the results.

Now that you know the proper way to swing. You should also be aware of what you can do before starting going out for a round. Stretching your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, spine, and pelvis is extremely beneficial due to the fact these are the frequently used body parts in golf. Just like any other type of sport or exercise, warming up and stretching will only help to better your performance and help protect your body.

During your next round, remember to start slow. Consider all of the factors that go into your swing and preventing a golf related injury. Golfing is supposed to be an enjoyable activity, avoid golf-related injuries and you’ll find yourself staying on the links and maybe improving your game as well.

Zoe Fackelman, a physical therapist with Lake Country Physical Therapy and Sportscare, has been an avid golfer since the age of 14. She has long known the aches and pains that accompany the sport. If you want to learn how to prepare your body to increase distance on your shots and drop shots and decrease your chance of injury call Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare today!

Lake Country Physical Therapy & Sportscare PC offers the very best physical therapy in Ontario County. We treat all your wants and needs with our trusted and experienced Physical Therapists and staff. To begin to feel pain and stress free, start your Physical Therapy journey today and schedule your evaluation by calling (585) 396-1400.