Aches and pains

[Carrie]

Just wondering how you seasoned gardeners deal with the inevitable aches and pains (or are they inevitable just for me?) Much of the time I spend on the allotment is spent digging, and I seem to have developed Diggers Calf in my right leg! Mainly feels painful when I'm lying down at night, like the front of my calf is bruised (tho' it isn't) and someone is pressing their thumb on it (they're not). Got this last year when I took the allotment on, it eased off over the winter, and started again when I resumed my allotment activities. GP, when I mentioned it in passing, said it was "normal wear and tear" - I'm not that old! Any tips, (apart from stopping digging altogether) would be very welcome.

[peter]

Pace yourself with the digging, only do small amount per visit, certainly no more than an hour and build up to that during the digging season.

Do you walk much?
If not try regular walks as that will stretch the leg muscles.

Do you have a desk based job?
If so then the muscles get used to doing not very much and protest when you ask them to do something strenuous, this will get worse as you get older and other regular exercise is the only answer. Use it or loose it, as the phrase goes.

Facetiously, put on weight, then you just have to stand on the spade.

Expensively, but reducing digging, get a rotovator.

Massages, DeepHeat or DeepIce, hot bath, knee support bandage.

You just have to try different things, as what works for one person doesn't always work for another person.

[sandersj89]

Might it be worth investing in a long handled digging fork/spade as people with bad backs swear by them and it may help your leg????

Jerry

[Chantal]

Is your ground hard to dig 'cos the leg problem sounds like shin splints to me? I used to suffer from it when I was road running (I was foolish and thin in my youth) and the constant pounding on a hard surface caused the problem. If you're having to thump your foot on your spade to get through the soil this could be the problem.

Re the back ache, at the beginning of the season I develop lower back muscle pain within about 10 minutes first time out and then a bit later each time afterwards. After a couple of weeks it's no problem and I can dig all day with no pain. I must admit that early in the year I do often take some painkillers before I go to the plot as I'd not get a thing done otherwise.

[yummyveggies]

I would agree with Chantal on the shin splints .... I got them / the condition or whatever you call it (!) after digging a very large hole to bury a large pet dog ( who had died ... before anyone thought I was trying to bury it alive !) and the ground was v hard and stoney .. and that was what was diagnosed by my brother the quack.

[Chantal]

Oh sorry, for shin splints I was told to use something called Power Gel on my shin and to rest up until it went away. The gel did nothing much for me, the resting did but was very difficult. I think adjusting the way you dig may be the answer.

[taralastair]

Hi. Yes would have to agree sounds like shin splints. It happens when you have a sudden increase in (usually) high impact (running/jumping) activities (I'm sure banging your foot down on a spade end repeatedly could cause this). The muscles on the front of the shin grow too quickly to accomodate for the stiff fascia surrounding the muscle belly. The compression causes the pain. Although some also believe it is caused by tiny microfractures in the shins. Anyone who has had shin splint knows it is like having someone whack you in the shins with a hammer! The ONLY way to get rid of shin splints is rest and it will come back with out proper rest. However, it is not life threatening and shouldn't cause long term damage. Ice (wrapped in a damp tea towel) for 10-15 min (max)and Non-steriodal anti-inflamatories (ask your GP or pharmacist) can help. Also try stretching calf and shin muscles regularly.

Tara (Physiotherapist)

[John]

Hello Carrie
A few years ago I invested in a couple Chillington tools, the hoe and the canterbury fork. These are mattock type tools that work with a chopping action. I think with our traditional spade and fork its the lifting and turning action that's the main cause of problems. I found these Chillingtons much easier to use and get far less strain on my old back. They don't suit everyone but if you can borrow one give a try to see if it suits you.

John

[Tigger]

I always use a women's spade and fork rather than the full size ones. Everybody takes the proverbial, until they realise I can work twice as fast with those, so the result is the same. As a 4'11'' female, I find the Wolf series of tolls with interchangeable heads very useful too as you can get different lengths.

[Carrie]

Thanks for all the helpful and informative replies everybody
Am going to moderate the amount of digging I do at one time in the future, and think about the equipment I use. I love being on the allotment, makes me feel fit and healthy - shame I'm such a wreck when I get home!
Thanks once again

[Allan]

You can get a referred pain in the leg from trapped nerves in the back. This is because the path that the nerves take goes from the spine to the legs through narrow channels and if you are not careful the nerves to the leg get trapped and you feel the pain in the brain as coming from the legs. Look after your back, it's exceedingly versatile but easily damaged. Get the long-handled tools or adapt short tools with longer handles such as sold for hoes, that way you can avoid heavy work with a bent spine, a sure way to get trouble.
I endorse Wolf tools, not cheap but unsurpassed quality. Go for the aluminium handles, not wood, to last a lifetime.
Allan

[Carrie]

Thanks Allan. Interesting what you say, I had a couple of episodes of back problems a few years ago, and I noticed yesterday that when I'm actually digging my back hurts (but not when I'm finished).

[richard p]

first step is to make the digging easier, use a border fork or the chillington type light mattock thing, throw the spade away, and do a little at a time
second step is to have a good soak in a hot bath immediatly after a digging session

[Beccy]

I agree a hot bath is a good idea, but I find a five or ten minute stroll (which for me gets nicely to the paper shop and back) somehow loosens and relaxes my back and I suffer less even if I don't have time for the bath right away. I suppose you could call it a 'cool down' period.

[Malk]

Hot bath with salts, currently Radox Muscle Soak, right after digging helps ease my body's aches. Also lots of breaks as I dig and stretching my back in the opposite direction in order to balance myself out.

Never had shin splints so can't help there, but for my horse we kept his legs wrapped and warm during exercise.

Good luck.