Sow happy: Six tips for gardening without back pain

Gardening can be a real pain in the back, if you are constantly stooping and using heavy tools. Try the following tips for a healthier way to tend to your greenery. — Photo: dpa

Gardening is a great workout because it uses all the muscle groups in the musculoskeletal system, but all the squatting, crouching and bending over can be tough on your back. Here are six tips to ease the strain.

The most important thing when gardening is a change of position every 20 minutes, says Andreas Sperber, a physiotherapist with Germany's Healthy Back Campaign (AGR). "If you have been bending forward, stretch backwards to counteract shortened muscles."