Gardening Tips for People with Arthritis

The good news is that you do not have to give up the many benefits of gardening when you are diagnosed with arthritis. Making some changes in the way you plan and carry out tasks in the garden can prevent pain and injury and protect your joints from damage. A few suggestions are:

Take Time to Warm Up: Ten minutes of stretching and exercises will prepare your joints and muscles for activity.

Plan for Comfort: Whenever you can, sit down while working in the garden. Check catalogs and home stores for seats, scooters and benches for gardeners. If you must kneel use knee pads or a special kneeler. Changing your position frequently will keep you from becoming stiff and sore.

Limit Lifting: Use a lawn cart or small wagon to move tools and materials. Take the time to divide heavy loads such as soil and fertilizer into more manageable amounts. When you do lift, bend from the knees to avoid strain on your back.

Use the Right Tools: Hoes, rakes, and other tools with longer handles help you avoid bending. Reduce wear and tear on your wrists and arms with tools designed to position your wrist correctly. Soft, non-slip, built-up handles protect joints from excess pressure. Work gloves and wrist supports protect your skin as well as your hands.

Vary your Tasks: Pinching, gripping, pulling, or lifting for long periods of time can cause pain and swelling in hands and arms. Vary the tasks you do in one day to avoid too much stress on any group of muscles or joints.

Pace Yourself: Too many hours of gardening at one time can put you out of commission for days. Pay attention to your body. Stop work for the day before you become tired.

Adapt your Garden Environment: Consider raised beds and trellises to reduce bending and strain on joints. Choose plant varieties requiring less care to reduce the number of gardening tasks. Investigate permanent watering systems that also conserve energy. Make sure tools are stored for easy access and located near to areas where they will be used.

If you have further questions based on your diagnosis and the gardening tasks you enjoy, please do not hesitate to contact your occupational therapist for specific ideas and suggestions.