Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: snotty on October 06, 2012, 08:04:02 pm

Title: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: snotty on October 06, 2012, 08:04:02 pm
Hi been using water fed pole system for a good few years now. Been getting really bad neck pains  and told by doctor its because of looking up all the time. spinal degeneration, just wondered if any body out there suffered the same problems and how you combat this. seen a neck brace on cleaning spot site wondered if this would help. even considering going back to ladders!
J&S
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on October 06, 2012, 08:11:52 pm
try working futher away from the window
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: colin purewater on October 06, 2012, 08:24:58 pm
Target bungalows  ;)
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: brianbarber on October 06, 2012, 09:33:00 pm
Make sure pole you use is not too short, if it's the case, buy longer one, stand as far away from building to reduce the tilting back of your head.
Regular stretching will help, before and after you finish work, some neck pain can be aggravated by shoulders,and vice versa.
Try that neck brace, as the ad says, our heads weigh the same as a bowling ball.....
Consider monthly or bi weekly Oesteoparh appointments.

Mr B
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: brynley on October 06, 2012, 10:22:41 pm
one of the reasons i won't go wfp, i have arthritas in neck and worn disc
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: wightsurf on October 06, 2012, 10:23:46 pm
Also what type of pole you using.Since moving to a lighter pole its made a lot of difference for me.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: Mo Al on October 06, 2012, 10:36:37 pm
Make sure pole you use is not too short, if it's the case, buy longer one, stand as far away from building to reduce the tilting back of your head.
Regular stretching will help, before and after you finish work, some neck pain can be aggravated by shoulders,and vice versa.
Try that neck brace, as the ad says, our heads weigh the same as a bowling ball.....
Consider monthly or bi weekly Oesteoparh appointments.

Mr B

Warm up stretch, end of the day warm down stretch.
Have more breaks or mix it up, harder jobs pole, easy jobs ladder.
carbon fibre pole long and light
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: niceandclean on October 06, 2012, 10:48:16 pm
Hi been using water fed pole system for a good few years now. Been getting really bad neck pains  and told by doctor its because of looking up all the time. spinal degeneration, just wondered if any body out there suffered the same problems and how you combat this. seen a neck brace on cleaning spot site wondered if this would help. even considering going back to ladders!
J&S

Had the same problem, until i was introduced to Yoga.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: mr smear on October 06, 2012, 11:59:19 pm
I had fan jets till I broke them and found rinsing on took strain off back and neck. I'm going  to go back to them as rinsing on seems like less wear and tear on body and sick days suck when self employed.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: steve rix on October 07, 2012, 01:02:53 am
go back to trad
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: Mike #1 on October 07, 2012, 07:55:41 am
As mentioned you need a carbon fibre pole along with a very light brush it all helps , I have not had any probs in over 4 yrs been wfp.

I have heard yoga is really good as well just never been keen on going . Mike
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: snotty on October 07, 2012, 09:17:37 am
Thanx for all replies comments been a real help
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: SunShineCleaning on October 07, 2012, 09:34:58 am
As with the other comments,

work farther away to reduce increase the angle,
use the pole for 20-30 mins then take a break
use a light pole suchas carbon,
use a pole of sufficient length,
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: EandM on October 07, 2012, 09:38:49 am
Used to get this when cleaning fascias at high level. Did the first big upvc clean and when I got home could hardly move. In my case just became used to it and no problem now. The same problem affects decorators when using a roller on a pole for long periods of time. Stretching is good along with switching from left to right hand.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: g.brookes on October 07, 2012, 10:03:28 am
unless youre doing something really wrong then the body should get used to it (this is what my physio told me).  Its important to build up some muscle around your neck and shoulders.  without the muscle then the joints and the bones take all the strain and theyre not strong enough to do this for long periods of time.  I have shoulder problems myself, and i go to a physio to get a sports massage which helps a great deal, and i am going to start goin to pilates, which is like yoga but focuses on controlling your muscles, rather than stretching them. 
personally this is by far the worst part of wfp, and i think unless you take preventative action then your shoulders and neck will be absolutely ruined in 10-20 years time
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: snotty on October 07, 2012, 12:31:47 pm
hi being advised to get a lighter pole . i use a 25 ft alloy hydra pole. would changing to glass/ carbon make much of a difference?
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: brianbarber on October 07, 2012, 01:51:05 pm
In two words

Hell yeah !


Mr B
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: SB Cleaning on October 07, 2012, 05:52:51 pm
hi being advised to get a lighter pole . i use a 25 ft alloy hydra pole. would changing to glass/ carbon make much of a difference?

That poles the problem ;D ;D

Buy a gardiners slx mate you wont have any problems then ;)
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: TomCrowther on October 07, 2012, 07:25:13 pm
As per previous posts, make sure your pole is as light as poss, stand away from the building when poss etc. I have a stiff, worn neck with osteo-athritis. I have to warm up each day and one of the exercises you might find useful is doing slow, figure of eights with your chin.
Keep your upper body still and make figure of eight shapes with your chin, stretching it as far out, away and then as close in and down as you can. I do five minutes in the am and am meant to do them again in the pm.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: rosskesava on October 07, 2012, 07:40:30 pm

Had the same problem, until i was introduced to Yoga.

Same here.

Since doing yoga type stretching exercises each night the problem has gone completely.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: dazmond on October 08, 2012, 09:26:48 am
if you get a 25 ft SLX with carbon gooseneck and extreme brush it will make one hell of a difference mate.do some stretching exercises and work further away from the building your cleaning.

please update us on your progress when you ve took this advice and bought yourself this pole.


very best wishes


dazmond
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: Bingweed on October 08, 2012, 11:42:07 am
Havn't tried them myself but rock climbers use prism glasses when belaying . They let you look straight ahead and the lens shows you straight up. Could be useful.
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: bobplum on October 08, 2012, 05:05:02 pm
Havn't tried them myself but rock climbers use prism glasses when belaying . They let you look straight ahead and the lens shows you straight up. Could be useful.

whats "belaying" ???
Title: Re: waterfed pole neck problems
Post by: g.brookes on October 08, 2012, 06:03:39 pm
the guy whose stood at the bottom feeding the rope whilst the other person is doing the actual climbing.  saves you looking up at a steep angle for a long time