Last Update: 07/29/07

Healthy Living in Oakridge

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Injury-free gardening

For many people, gardening is one of the joys of summer. It's also a great form of exercise.

But the bending, twisting and turning involved in yard work can lead to injury, according to the American Chiropractic Association.

Here are some ways to keep from getting hurt:

• Do stretching exercises for 10 to 15 minutes, spread out over the course of your gardening stint.
• Stand as straight as possible, and keep your head up when you rake or mow.
• Bend at the knees, not the waist.
• When mowing, use your whole bodyweight to push the mower.
• Drink lots of water; wear a hat, shoes and protective glasses, and wear gloves to avoid blisters.

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