Transcript IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Gardening with Effective
Arthritis Management
An overview of the tasks related to gardening and the
relationship between arthritis pain management and
maintaining a productive garden.
Amber D. Wolfe, BS- AgrAbility Project Coordinator
Arthritis Foundation, Heartland Region
Stephen J. Swain, ATP- Assistive Technology Specialist
National AgrAbility Project- Breaking New Ground Resource Center,
Purdue University
Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.
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• AgrAbility: USDA-sponsored program that assists farmers,
ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities.
– Partners land grant universities with disability services
organizations
– Currently 23 projects covering 25 states
– National AgrAbility Project: Led by Purdue’s Breaking New
Ground Resource Center
– Arthritis Foundation, Heartland Region = funded partner
– More information available at www.agrability.org
Gardening with Effective
Arthritis Management
• Gardening is one of America’s most popular hobbies.
According to a recent Greenhouse Management Online
study, nearly 164 million homeowners in the US (49%)
gardened in the past 12 months. In addition to the
enjoyment it brings, gardening is also a great activity for
maintaining range of motion, bone density and strength,
joint flexibility, and overall quality of life.
• However, many people feel they have to give up this popular
pastime because of arthritis pain. Arthritis is the number
one disability-causing disease in America, with nearly 50
million American’s having a diagnosis of at least one form of
arthritis.
Arthritis Defined…
The term arthritis refers to an
“inflammation of a joint” and refers to
over 100 rheumatic/autoimmune
diseases that are characterized by
problems in and around joints.
-Inflammation, pain and
degeneration of the connective
tissue occurs.
-Most forms are chronic and have no
cure.
-Arthritis can be effective treated
with self-management, education,
and medical support.
A Nation In Pain
• 50 Million people in the US have
doctor diagnosed Arthritis.
• By the year 2030, an estimated 67
million or 25% of the projected
total adult population will have
arthritis.
• Arthritis is the most common
cause of disability in the US
workplace, limiting nearly 21
million Americans at their job.
• More than half of the individuals
who have arthritis are younger
than 65 years old.
Gardening with Arthritis
Gardening can be
an excellent
treatment for
arthritis.
Joint flexibility & range of motion increases, and lessened stress
levels are all beneficial side-effects of gardening.
--But it can also HURT!
Define Your Role
• Is your garden your hobby, or is it a form of income?
• Does your gardening require more hours than you can
easily give?
• Does your hobby garden ever become a chore?
• Has arthritis pain ever taken away the joy of hobby
gardening, or the productivity of your operation?
Understanding Limits
• Arthritis pain can take away the joy of gardening.
– Back/hip/knee pain, hand/wrist/shoulder/elbow pain
– Bending, kneeling, pruning, weeding, carrying, watering,
harvesting, raking, digging, etc.
• Arthritis is just as much mental as it is physical.
• Arthritis pain can make gardening seem like a tough task
that needs completed.
• Rushing yourself can irritate arthritic joints.
Benefits of Gardening
• Gardening can be a stress-relieving exercise.
• Gardening can also be good physical exercise.
Movement is Medicine!
• The most important gardening tool is the body!
• With proper body mechanics, well-designed gardening
tools, and frequent rest breaks, anyone can remain a
healthy gardener despite arthritis pain.
Gardening Tips and Tricks
Pace Work
Warm Up Joints
Use Proper Tools
Wear Gloves
Change Positions Frequently
Use Largest Joint
Keep Tools Near
Use a Stool or Knee Pad
Modify Gardening Style
Work at Best Times
Prepare Your Body
• Take time to do simple stretches before, during,
and after your gardening work.
• Listen to your body.
– If you start to feel pain, stop the current work,
move on to another type of activity with a
different part of the body.
– Or stop completely to allow your body to rest.
• Embrace the use of ergonomic, enabling, or
adapted tools to make the gardening work easier
on the body.
Perfecting Your Posture
• Poor posture can lead to pain,
fatigue, and strains
– some garden carts actually
perpetuate worse posture
– the upper back has limited
movement, the lower back needs
to be able to flex forward and
backward, it should NOT twist
• Additional stress on the back, hips,
and legs, in addition to the vibration
on the shoulders, elbows and wrists,
from riding mowers, weed-eaters,
and rototillers, can have an affect on
comfort and posture as well.
Perfecting Your Posture
• Avoid staying in one position too
long, and avoid repetitive tasks for
long periods of time.
• Use the strongest and largest joints
and muscles for the job.
• When weeding, use a kneeling pad
or bench to avoid excess pressure
on the knees and hips.
– Avoid twisting at odd angles to
protect the hip joints.
Support Your Joints
• With physician approval, wear
wrist and back splints whenever
possible.
• Try to keep excessive twisting and
reaching to a minimum. Use a
cart or long-handled tools.
• Proper footwear is crucial to
supporting the ankles and knees.
Support Your Joints
• Be aware of carrying heavy loads
using your wrist as the main joint.
• Wear braces to support repetitive
and stressful movements, such as
hand pruning, weeding, and
dropping seeds.
• Wear gloves to support the wrists
and finger joints.
Be Aware of the Weather
• Protection from the sun. Weather exposure can both help
and hurt a person with arthritis. Some enjoy the warmth
of the soil and the sun while working, but overexposure
can be detrimental.
• Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
• Avoid working during the peak heat and sunlight hours.
• Drink plenty of water to help lubricate joints.
Low Maintenance Reminders
• Consider all options for the garden/container location
– Near a water source, near tool storage
– Access from all sides
• Consider all options for weed control
– Mulch or black plastic
– Chemical use
• Consider all options for plant choices
– Maintenance, water needs, space and growing medium
– Young plants vs. seeds
• Consider all watering options
– Hand watering, soaker hoses or sprinkler systems
– Rain water collection
Gardening Style Modifications
Container
Gardens
Raised Beds
Trellis Gardening
Window Boxes, Hanging Baskets, Decorative Pots, Terrariums
Garden Paths, Seating Areas, Mobility and Access
Container Gardening
• Hanging baskets
Container Gardening
• Decorative potsbe creative!!
• Window boxes
Container Gardening
• Terrariums- Great for herbs!
Container Gardening
• Trellises- Uses for vegetables as
well as flowers!
Garden Mobility
• Pathways can prevent excessive walking and movement
around the perimeter of a garden. It is also helpful to have
clear entrances to the gardening area.
• How wide do you need it? Wide enough for passagegarden carts, utility vehicles, walking, mobility vehicles
• Well drained, and slightly sloped- not too much of a grade
that it is difficult to make your way back up, but enough for
water run-off to prevent loss of traction, deep mud, etc.
“Raising Up” Your Garden
• Raised ground beds
• Deep raised beds, Straw beds
Easy Straw Beds
• Elevated off the ground
• Well-aerated, disease-free
growing medium, cost efficient
• Perfect for growing vegetables
(tomatoes, peppers, squash,
cucumbers and melons)
• Older bales that have started to rot
work best, grass mix
• Use a fertilizer mix to form a bed
on the top of the bale before
planting
“Raising Up” Your Garden
• Elevated beds
• Terracing and retaining walls
Ergonomic Tools & Assistive Devices
Ergonomic= The Best Fit
Longer Tool
Handles
Cushioned
Handles
Reaching Devices
Rolling Carts
Braces/Pads
Buzz Word: Ergonomics!
Careful tool selection can make gardening easier, while
protecting you from unnecessary and unwanted stress,
strain, and injury.
Some tools are made specifically for women, with lighter
materials and smaller grips.
Benefits:
• Neutral join positions
• Minimize stress, maximize power
• Appropriately sized, soft padded handles
• Reduction of vibration and slipping
• Thumb rests and proper diameter grips
• Spring-loaded or power-assist tools that increase leverage
Ergonomic Hand Tools
• Tools should have handles that fit
the person’s hand
– Rule of Thumb
– Pistol Grip vs. Straight Handle
Long Handle Tools
• Two handed grip is better
• Light weight
• Enlarged, foam, soft handle
• Reduce resistance with smaller
surface
• Shorter length to reduce stretching
and twisting
Modified Tools
• Telescoping Tools
• Stabilized Wrist Support
Modified Tools
• Powered Hand Tools (Bulb Planters)
• Bag Carrying Handles
Other Assistive Tools
• Wheeled Carts
• Shovel Step
• Auto-Locking/Lever-Action Nozzles
Other Assistive Tools
• Handled Weed Carriers
• Gardening Aprons
• Pot Lifters
Still Asking What if?
• What if these modifications aren’t an option?
– Price, location, materials, time?
• What if other tasks are difficult, but not enough to change the
entire gardening style?
• Edging, weed-eating, spreading mulch, and dividing
perennials, etc.
• Do chemicals have an effect on arthritis?
– Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers
• What about the products of the garden?
– Do some foods have a positive or negative effect on arthritis
pain? Nightshade vegetables?
• Primary Care Provider/Physician
– Seek help regarding allergies, diet, exercise, etc., as these may
be different for each person.
Additional Resources
• National Arthritis Foundation- www.arthritis.org
• National AgrAbility Project- www.agrability.org
– The Toolbox Assistive Technology Database
• Arthritis and Agriculture Webpagewww.arthritis-ag.org
– Order the Arthritis Foundation’s “Gardening
and Arthritis” brochure!
– Download the “Therapeutic Gardening”
Article
– Print the “Don’t Let The Dirt Hurt”
Stretching/Exercise Sheet
Additional Project Resources
• Arthritis Today Magazine– “Tips for Reducing Pain While Gardening”http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-cando/everyday-solutions/do-it-easier/yard-andgarden/gardening-arthritis.php
• Gardens for Every Body- Missouri AgrAbility Project
– http://agrability.missouri.edu/gardenweb/
• Endless Gardening- Arkansas AgrAbility Project
– http://www.arfamilies.org/health_nutrition/agrability/e
ndless_gardening/2012/volume1.pdf
Presenter Contact Information
Amber Wolfe
Arthritis Foundation
615 N. Alabama Street
Suite 430
Indianapolis, IN 46204
1-800-783-2342
[email protected]
www.arthritis-ag.org
Steve Swain
National AgrAbility Project
Purdue University- ABE Bldg.
225 S University Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
1-800-825-4264
[email protected]
www.agrability.org
Find us on Facebook and Twitter!!
Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution.
Resources
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National Arthritis Foundation- www.arthritis.org
National AgrAbility Project- www.agrability.org
Arthritis and Agriculture Webpage- www.arthritis-ag.org
Arthritis Today Magazine– “Tips for Reducing Pain While Gardening”http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/everydaysolutions/do-it-easier/yard-and-garden/gardening-arthritis.php
• Gardens for Every Body- Missouri AgrAbility Project
– http://agrability.missouri.edu/gardenweb/
• Endless Gardening- Arkansas AgrAbility Project
– http://www.arfamilies.org/health_nutrition/agrability/endless_
gardening/2012/volume1.pdf