Tips & Tools for Spring Gardening with Arthritis

May is National Arthritis Month and according to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50 million Americans are living with arthritis today! While arthritis varies in type and intensity, people are able to find relief in a variety of ways and make adaptations to enjoy their favorite activities. With the beautiful spring weather upon us, the following tips can help make gardening more comfortable and enjoyable.

  • Kneeling over or reaching across a gardening bed can get to you after awhile.  Gardening catalogs and gardening sections in stores sell knee pads and/or kneeling pads that can make certain gardening chores easier. If a limited budget keeps you from purchasing those items, you could use foam rubber purchased from a fabric store and cut it down to any size you wish. 
  • You may find it beneficial to invest in a garden cart with wheels and a storage bin.  This will allow you to get around with more ease while having all your tools close at hand.
  • If hand strength or limited use of upper extremities poses a problem, try taking the handle of your tool and building it up so that you can grasp it easily. Pipe insulation and some duct tape can be used and both are cheap. This type of soft grip is especially nice if hand pain is an issue. If pipe insulation is too thick, try using tennis tape, which is usually used to build up the handle of a racquet.
  • You can also doctor up a pair of biking or golf gloves to make grasping tools easier. First, attach a strip of the “hook” side of Velcro to the gloves. Then, attach the matching length of the “loop” side of the Velcro to a trowel, spade or small watering can. Once it is fastened to your gloved hand, you don’t need to rely on the strength of your grip to control the tool.
  • There are gardening tools for sale that offer removable handle lengths (for those hard to reach areas) as well as handles that loop over your arm, which is particularly helpful if you have one arm/hand that is much stronger than the other.
  • If you have the opportunity to have someone provide you with raised beds, it can make all the difference when it comes to accessibility. They are particularly nice if you have back issues or difficulty sitting low to the ground.

Adaptations can be made for a variety of other activities as well. In fact, Sheltering Arms is holding a series of clinics this spring/summer that will offer tips and adaptations for the game of golf. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

How to Maximize Physical Therapy Visits from Insurance

As a new year begins, so do new health insurance deductibles and benefits. It’s important to be aware of your healthcare expenses to plan for the year ahead. For those seeking physical rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, it’s important to remember that health insurance may not cover unlimited sessions. Understanding how to make the most of your visits covered by insurance is key to maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your therapy visits while extending the time spent on your recovery to achieve your goals.

Tips To Cure Winter Boredom

It’s common to feel bored during the winter months when you’re spending more time indoors and routines shift. However, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged and have fun at home. From boosting mental sharpness to connecting with others, these activities can help turn boredom into an opportunity for growth and enjoyment.

Identifying & Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries

An injury to the rotator cuff, or the group of four muscles that help to stabilize your shoulder and allow you to move your arm different directions such as overhead and behind your back, is a common cause of pain among adults. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of adults over age 60 have a rotator cuff tear. Rotator injuries can occur from a traumatic event like a fall; however, it is also common for rotator cuff injuries to develop over time from repetitive use.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Scoliosis

Imagine seeing a tree defiantly growing sideways in your yard, prompting thoughts of how to redirect its growth. In a parallel scenario, teenagers with scoliosis exhibit a noticeable trunk shift in their posture. However, the journey to rectifying their upright stance delves into a realm of complexity and intricacy. Proprioception, the body’s innate sense of movement and position, is the key to unlocking proper posture. Through targeted exercises and activities that enhance balance, coordination, and body awareness, we can reshape the way the brain perceives postural alignment.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.