Massage therapy can help you enjoy your outdoor spring activities without putting yourself out of commission. Many people take the first hint of spring weather as the opportunity to work on their garden. Gardening is a great way to increase your physical activity and gain social, psychological and personal enrichment. Leisure-related physical activity like gardening can have a positive impact on quality of life. However, being frequently engaged in vigorous gardening activities can increase your risk of low back pain.
Regular gardeners are often in the same potentially uncomfortable position for long periods of time, which also puts them at risk of general joint pain and muscle stiffness.
Physicians more than ever are recommending conservative treatments like massage therapy for the treatment of low back pain, and massage therapy, especially when combined with exercises that your RMT can recommend, can help people with back pain decrease their pain and improve their physical function. Massage therapy can also help relieve knee pain and wrist pain, both of which are often experienced by gardeners. Many people enjoy cycling, especially as the weather gets warmer, but there is some risk of cycling-related injuries.
The knee is the number one area for overuse injuries in cycling, with patellofemoral pain syndrome being the most prevalent overuse diagnosis. Another common condition for cyclists is rotator cuff tendonitis. Massage therapy can help people with patellofemoral pain syndrome reduce their pain, and RMTs can also recommend stretching and strengthening exercises that can help patients with this condition. Massage therapy can also help people relieve all sorts of shoulder pain, including rotator cuff tendonitis.
Tennis elbow causes pain in and around the elbow and can negatively impact your ability to participate in your regular daily activities.
