Helpful Hints

SPORTS INJURIES.                                                                                              

If you injur your self while training in a gym or at home the remember the word RICE this is a pnemonic telling you the basic first aid steps to follow;
R  Rest   
I   Ice  
C  Compression  
E  Elevation
 
Depending on the severity of the injury then decide on the necessity of seeking medical advice. However, if the injury has not improved in a few weeks then please seek further advice.

 

MY TIPS FOR HAPPY GARDENING AND BBQ`S 

Gardening is usually a labour of love or a neessity, but it is very time consuming and can cause injury so here are a few tips to get through it with minimal discomfort:
 
  • Take a 10 minute break at least every 1hr more if the job you are doing in heavy or requires a lot of bending.
  • Keep hydrated you will sweat ad dehydration causes its own troubles.
  • Always try to do a variety of tasks where possible as too much of one task may lead to injury.
  •  Lifting and bending remember to use your legs not your back so keep your back straight and bend your knees.
  •  If doing any heavy lifting make sure you have help and use appropriate tools like a wheel barrow.
  • Always stand facing what you are doing. Standing angled toward what you are doing is a large cause of back problems.
  • Always be aware of your feet make sure you are not standing more on one then the other or on tip toes.
  •  Be extra careful when doing any pruning above your head as this is a vulnerable position for your shoulders.
 
We all want to have a bbq when the weather is nice but lets have fun and avoid all the injuries were possible. Standing for too long tends to cause a few of us problems and also sitting in an awkward chair. My top tips to avoid injury are:
  • If you are too tall for the bbq then cook sitting or find a safe way to raise the bbq
  •  If the furniture that is available is not comfortable then get up and stretch every 45 minutes or sooner depending on discomfort
  •  Lie on the grass if all else fails as this is a way to relax your back muscles
 
However if you do still manage to injur yourself through these activities then please remember that the first aid requirement is generally ICE not heat. The reason for this is that the initial stage of an injury tends to be inflammation and Ice helps to calm the inflammatory process. A pack of frozen peas or ice pack through a tea towel over the area for 20 minutes. And repeat every 2 hours if possible. If the problem persists for more then 3/4 days without improvement or you have had a prior injury then please seek further assistance.