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Gardening and Back Pain - Digging and Shoveling
By Anne Asher, About.com
Updated: November 12, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Begin Lifting - Use the Power of the Pelvis to Help You
The key to leveraging out the dirt or snow is to glide your pelvis back towards your back leg.
(c) Anne Asher 2007 Licensed to About.com
To begin lifting the dirt up, shift your weight to your back leg, using a gliding motion of the pelvis. Make sure you bend at hips and knees, and not the back. If you don't initiate the lifting from the pelvis you will be working harder than you need, and may cause yourself back or neck strain.
Index: Gardening and Back Pain - Digging and Shoveling
- Position the Shovel in Front of You
- Place One Foot on the Shovel
- Lean In
- Begin Lifting - Use the Power of the Pelvis to Help You
- Lower Your Body to Lift the Shovel Up
- Move Your Body to Dump the Dirt Out
Gardening and Back Pain - More Guides
Dumping a Wheelbarrow SafelySafe Lifting TechniquesGet a Mower Going
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Gardening and Your Back - Weeding and Other Chores
Weeding from a Sitting PositionCommon Gardening Chores and Your Back
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