October 2022 has arrived and so have many increased energy bills. Spooky for many, and that’s without Halloween at the end of the month.
Once again, we have looked back at our topical physiotherapy blogs to pick out some of our favourites. Before we start, though, don’t forget that our new Massage and Reflexology service is now available at our Bramley centre and is already proving popular.
In this feature, we look back to mid-October 2020 to review ‘Picking Pumpkins’.
Picking pumpkins
Many of our clients love gardening, whether that’s filling window boxes with autumn colour, pushing the mower around the lawn one last time, or wielding a chainsaw to tame an unruly hedge. A favourite garden pastime is growing fruit and veg, and this has really taken off during lockdown, as more people turned to their outside spaces as a place for hobbies, exercise and relaxation. Here at Life Made Simple, we provide professional physiotherapy in Surrey and Guildford to keep your body fit and able.
A spooky harvest
Those who planted pumpkins all those weeks ago will be getting ready for their harvest as Halloween approaches. The website countrysideonline.co.uk estimates that an astounding 15 million pumpkins are grown in the UK each year. Most are on commercial farms; however, quite a few people grow them at home, either for carving or for eating. Interestingly, even though we tend to use it mainly in savoury dishes in the UK, a pumpkin is a fruit rather than a vegetable.
The benefits of gardening
Anyone who’s spent time in their garden over the summer will know the pleasures (and frustrations) that await you there. It’s lovely to sit out in the sun with a glass of something cold; however, whatever the season, there are always jobs that need doing and can seem never-ending. Looking on the positive side, though, gardening is great exercise, as long as you’re careful – the range of tasks that a standard garden can involve walking, stretching, bending, lifting, pushing and pulling, all of which help to keep your body flexible and healthy.
Lifting techniques
A note of caution here: there are some tasks that need to be performed carefully, and a good example of this is lifting heavy or unwieldy objects. This can of course include pumpkins, some of which are enormous, weighing in at hundreds of kilograms. It’s really important to understand correct lifting technique, as you can easily damage your back if you don’t lift correctly.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has some great back pain exercises on its website here: although we would always recommend that you consult a physiotherapist before embarking on any new exercises.
Staying fit this winter
Gardening is a great way to stay fit at any time of the year, and arguably it’s never been more important to maintain your health and wellbeing as we move into the autumn and winter, with the continued prevalence of coronavirus. Physiotherapy in Surrey and Guildford at Life Made Simple can help you maintain your mobility and flexibility to allow you to carry on enjoying your favourite activities – and your garden will reap the benefit!
Contact Us
We look forward to helping you with your physiotherapy needs and through the autumn and winter months of 2022 and beyond. If you are interested in our services feel free to call us on 07309 272 555 or email Physio@Lifemadesimple.co.uk. Life Made Simple - expert physiotherapy in Guildford and Surrey.