The hidden cost of the hosepipe ban - why watering cans are catching poeple out.
With the hosepipe ban still in force, plenty of us have swapped the hose for a watering can. However for many older gardeners, that switch has been doing more harm than good.
Here at Stowmarket Osteopaths, we've noticed a clear pattern over the past few weeks, a rise in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly among elderly patients, that trace back to one simple change in routine. What used to be a light job with a hosepipe has turned into repeated trips carrying heavy, awkward watering cans.
It's often not obvious at first. Patients come in describing back pain without necessarily connecting it to their gardening routine. It's usually only once we talk through a typical day that the link appears. The people most affected tend to be the stoic, rule-abiding types who push through discomfort rather than complain, and those with pre-existing bone density issues are especially at risk.
The good news is that a few small adjustments can make a real difference:
- Use two smaller watering cans rather than one large one, and carry them evenly in each hand to balance the load rather than twisting the spine.
- Take more frequent, shorter trips instead of fewer heavy ones.
- Pace yourself and take breaks, especially in warm weather.
- If lifting or carrying is genuinely difficult, it's worth checking whether you're exempt from the hosepipe ban. Anglian Water allows exemptions for anyone unable to carry a watering can, including those on its Priority Services Register.
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