[Steve Weatherley]

Bad back? how many carpet cleaners are suffering with constant back problems (like me)? I have been cleaning carpets for about 7 years now and think my back problems are not helped by continuous repetative movements and lifting the porty in and out of the van all day.

[Colin Day]

I did mine in a few months ago and had to crawl around the house. It happened when I tried to lift my Alltec Advance Triple Vac within a confined space, as some idiot parked too close to the back of my van... :

Everything's good now (touch wood!)

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Could be bad posture as opposed to what you do.

Could be referred pain.

Could be a tumour in your spine.

Doing this job keeps you more supple than sitting at a desk and being stressed.

If you are seriously worried see your doctor and don't get fobbed off.

Roger

PS I speak from experience on all the above points.

[Jason Hedges]

Go to your local gym and see an instructor, tell them your job and related problems and they will work out a routine for you. My local gym has recently helped me out with stretching exercises rather than weight lifting or bodybuilding. They said because of our job we become tense especially in the back region so stretching unused muscles is good.

It has worked for me in a very short time

He said I was as strong as an ox but my back was as tight as a nuns arse..... Not sure if thats good or bad

Also said while wanding to bend knees, will try...

All the best,
Jason.

[M.Acorn]

I get trigger finger,really bad pains in my wrist (i broke when i was 18,was said i might have probs in later life) and carpet blindness,looking at yards of the same colour carpet,eyes start to go

[Jason Hedges]

Go to your local gym mate, you'll be surprised what a fitness instructor can advise.

All the best,
Jason.

[Steve Weatherley]

I go regular to gym (3 times per week) plus swimming. It's a degenerative problem. Gym helps but it's the repetitions and trauma of lifting the machine. Answer is don't over do things. If you are too busy then employ.

[Nigel Cole]

Go see a good chiropractor about £35....  money well spent !
 

[Joe H]

Dont have a back problem wanding.
If you bending whilst wanding either you got the handle set too low or the wand is not long enough.
Lot of the time with a glide fitted I can wand one handed standing upright - makes the job look to easy to the customer though. 

If I twinge a muscle in my back, like in lifting like Colin says, I go to a sports physio.

[derek west]

ive had a bad back for years, wanding doesn't seam to effect it, its long journeys in the van
i just get the wife to walk up and down my back, all the cracking makes it sound like chinese new year but its heaven when she does it.

[Nigel_W]

I too have had back problems for over 20 years. It is a serious problem for carpet cleaners as I would guess many have to give up the trade because of this.

I have found 5 ways to help myself:-

1. Every 4 weeks on a Saturday morning I have a half hour appointment with a physio. This costs me about £40. It seems to release any tension that is building up in my back

2. Acquired a ramp so no more lifting heavy portables into the van. Cost about £80 - 100

3. Turn down any job that involves moving portables up full flights of stairs. It's just not worth the risk.

4. Went to the specialist Back Shop in Marylebone and bought a back support for the van drivers seat. This is basically an extra seat and back support that puts you in a much better position in the van. Cost £107.

5. Always use a glide.

I had to start taking it seriously because I was heading for premature retirement from carpet cleaning. The above changes have made a huge difference and whilst I will still always have back related problems I seem to have them more under control.

Nigel
www.designcare.co.uk

[derek west]

you got a link for that seat nige?

[Nigel_W]

Hi Derek,

Here is a link to the Back Shop and some of the solutions they offer for lumbar support. The one I have doesn't seem to be on the web site.

http://thebackshop.co.uk/products/category147.html

The only issue is that one size does not fit all. I parked my van outside and the guy ran in and out with various lumber supports. Some raised me up too high, others were uncomfortable for me. You need to try before you buy.

There may be a similar specialist shop nearer to you.

Good luck

Nigel
www.designcare.co.uk

[Nigel_W]

Derek,

Here is one in Birmingham:-

http://www.totalbackcare.co.uk/for-travel.html

Nigel
www.designcare.co.uk

[Colin Day]

3. Turn down any job that involves moving portables up full flights of stairs. It's just not worth the risk.

Nigel
www.designcare.co.uk

I've had to do this recently.... 54 steps and no lift There's no way I was risking it!!!!

Colin

[absolutecleaning]

Go see a good chiropractor about £35....  money well spent !
 

This....I only see mine about every 3 months (session in exchange for windows being cleaned) as long as I have no major problems which hasnt been for a while.

She gave me a series of stretches to do for about 5 mins every morning and evening and this seems to keep any problems at bay.  The difference is noticeable if you get lazy and dont do them for a few days or so.

Simon

[Steve Weatherley]

Thanks everyone in particular Nigel for your responses. I have bookmarked the website for the back supports and will look into this further.

Also I have a twin jet wand from Ashbys. The wand has a 12 inch wide head. Which glide would fit?

[Dave_Lee]

Go see a good chiropractor about £35....  money well spent !
 

I must agree with this quote. Had back problems for well over 20 years, due to muscle spasms. Carpet cleaning made it worse and the back muscles could lock solid for a few days before easing off over a couple of weeks, but the chance of recurrence was always present. I had to be careful when lifting and couldn't allow my back to get cold or be exposed to draught.
Just over two years ago I had a particularly bad spasm whilst doing a job and only just managed to finish. For the first time I took time off work (three days) and needed Ibuprofen, Cocodamol and Diazapam, taken together just move about the house.
I recovered from this attack, but a couple of months later suffered another. I didnt want to take the medication again, so I went to see a Chiropractor. He took x rays and suggested a course of back manipulations. He fair crunched my spine a few times and I cancelled the course after 4 visits. I have now gone the longest period I can remember without any real back problems. I still get a bit of occasional stiffness but no spasms.
Dave.

[Paul Simpson]

Like alot of you I suffered back problems for years even before getting into CC.
Then early last year bought a memory foam mattress, not suffered with any problems since.
Can't say for certain if my previous mattress was too firm or if the memory foam mattress has aided it but mattress firmness is something to consider.

[Joe H]

Good post Paul.
Couldnt afford a memory foam mattress, so got the memory foam topper and it works a treat.
They have fallen a lot on price now as well - can get a double for less then £100 - well worth it.