Back pain is one of the most common ailments reported by gardeners and can affect gardeners of all ages. A study documented by the BBC1 in 2000 highlighted that 42% of the 2,000 adults surveyed by Gallup had suffered from back pain and that half of these said that their back problems were caused as a result of working in the garden...

A leading online garden centre is helping gardeners across the UK to avoid and relieve back pain whilst in the garden thanks to an extensive range of long handled garden tools, ergonomically designed to help relieve back strain.

Back pain is one of the most common ailments reported by gardeners and can affect gardeners of all ages. A study documented by the BBC1 in 2000 highlighted that 42% of the 2,000 adults surveyed by Gallup had suffered from back pain and that half of these said that their back problems were caused as a result of working in the garden.

The survey also indicated that many of these problems were associated with lack of education when it came to correct lifting procedures and preventing back strain. It also highlighted that many gardeners thought the best treatment for back strain was to ‘lie down and rest’ which is in complete contradiction with experts recommendations to ‘take adequate pain relief and stay active.’

Dr. Peter Skew, of the charity Back Care told BBC News Online at the time that: "Gardening is one of the best forms of exercise any of us can take; it is good for flexibility, strength and stamina. But you have to plan what you are going to do, and you have to pace yourself properly - don't try to do everything in one weekend."

Despite this advice back pain still remains prevalent amongst gardeners and the estimated 1.1 million people affected by back pain in 2000 is likely to have risen dramatically over the years. However, there are a few tips available to keen gardeners to help avoid back strain whilst working in the garden.

These include warming up correctly, avoiding repetitive tasks, not lifting heavy objects, adapting your garden with raised beds to reduce the need for leaning or investing in long handle garden tools which are designed to help reduce the amount of bending needed to carry out regular garden tasks.

Using garden tools with long handles reduces the need to stretch and bend which can, if done repetitively be a major cause of back ache amongst gardeners.

A spokesperson for Plant Me Now had this to say: "When it comes to using garden tools, long handled varieties can help to relieve the strain you put on your back as they reduce the need for you to stretch or lean over in order to complete the task in hand. The Yeoman’s new cranked handle cultivating range for example, has specially adapted cranked handles to help make back ache a thing of the past."

The Yeoman Carbon Steel Long Handled Fork has been manufactured with a cranked or angled handle and an extra length grip to help make the tool easier and more comfortable to use. Both this and the Yeoman Carbon Steel Long Handled Trowel are available from Plant Me Now for just £11.73!

For more information about the Yeoman’s garden tools range available at Plant Me Now please visit the website at www.plantmenow.co.uk or call 01675 442 551.

Notes for Editors
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/926374.stm

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