Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Suffolkcleaners on July 19, 2014, 10:36:14 am
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Hi guys,recently made the change from trad to wfp(loving it)mainly working from a trolley at the moment but 6-8 weeks in my back and shoulders are so stiff and tense,mainly from lifting 25 litre barrells i imagine and constantly looking up with the wfp water fed poles..
Only in my 30's but just wondering whether you would advise a chiropractor or just a massage therapist? I'm pretty sure its nothing serious but it just needs a good massage or whatever to sort it..
Also if anyone recommends anyone in the suffolk area? Thanks for advice in advance :-)
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Get rid of the barrels and get a van/tank ASAP.
Also make sure your pole is long enough to stand well back thus reducing strain on the neck and shoulders.
Invest in the best poles you can afford too.
A good sports massage will reduce the pain temporarily and relax the muscles but it will probably return unless the cause of the problem is dealt with.
Good luck, I used to suffer badly with a bad back, not anymore fortunately.
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Get a van mount
Get a decent light pole, making sure your not too close to the house when cleaning upper windows will alleviate neck and shoulder pain.
Lifting barrels all day is in my opinion, time consuming,hassle,and bad for your back.
That's it
Mr B
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Get rid of the barrels and get a van/tank ASAP.
Also make sure your pole is long enough to stand well back thus reducing strain on the neck and shoulders.
Invest in the best poles you can afford too.
Good luck, I used to suffer badly with a bad back, not anymore fortunately.
You beat me to it!
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Get rid of the barrels and get a van/tank ASAP.
Also make sure your pole is long enough to stand well back thus reducing strain on the neck and shoulders.
Invest in the best poles you can afford too.
Good luck, I used to suffer badly with a bad back, not anymore fortunately.
You beat me to it!
;D
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I did try for a few weeks a van mount but i just couldn't get on with the hose(each to there own)and find the trolley is ideal for most my round... i think defo a good pole and maybe stand back abit to avoid the tension etc.. Think a temporary massage defo in order too. Thanks guys.
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Van mount is the answer, learn to get used to the hoses and you'll be flying, and you won't have back problems either.
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Get a van mount and fix the reel. My back is much improved now that I don't lift the reel out of the van.
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im 46 i have no problem lifting barrels but i come from a manual
work background
All you former office boys either strengthen your core muscles
or get a van mount,bloody fannys.
Only joking ;D
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Before you spend money on physios and stuff like I did try exercices,you can google it.
I do about ten mins every day for my back neck and shoulders and rarely suffer pain anymore.
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Lying flat on your back on a flat hard surface for 20 mins a day can work wonders too.
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I used a van mount for a few weeks and still had pain... i think it might be just looking up all the time.. Trolley works so much better for my round(trust me)...
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Van mount for me, and a gardiner pole.
I have mounted the reel at shoulder hight so I open the back door and pull, no bending .
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im 46 i have no problem lifting barrels but i come from a manual
work background
All you former office boys either strengthen your core muscles
or get a van mount,bloody fannys.
Only joking ;D
Not everyone has your "chunkiness" Gary... Your "bulk" makes a good counterbalance for the lifting of barrels...
;D ;D ;D
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I used a van mount for a few weeks and still had pain... i think it might be just looking up all the time.. Trolley works so much better for my round(trust me)...
Lifting the barrels about won't be helping the situation.
Seeing as you mention you have the equipment for a van mount and prefer to use a trolley why not try filling the van water tank in the morning and using a small submersible pump or the van system wfp pump to fill your trolley?
That way you will not have to physically move 25 ltr barrels of water about for your day's work and will only be filling one barrel via the pump.
It will drastically cut down on what you will be lifting around each day.
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im 46 i have no problem lifting barrels but i come from a manual
work background
All you former office boys either strengthen your core muscles
or get a van mount,bloody fannys.
Only joking ;D
Not everyone has your "chunkiness" Gary... Your "bulk" makes a good counterbalance for the lifting of barrels...
;D ;D ;D
Nothing wrong with being chunky matey especially if you take the
c off the front ;)
bloody hell i sound like old ben m...i think i might just go and be sick ;D
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I used a van mount for a few weeks and still had pain... i think it might be just looking up all the time.. Trolley works so much better for my round(trust me)...
Lifting the barrels about won't be helping the situation.
Seeing as you mention you have the equipment for a van mount and prefer to use a trolley why not try filling the van water tank in the morning and using a small submersible pump or the van system wfp pump to fill your trolley?
That way you will not have to physically move 25 ltr barrels of water about for your day's work and will only be filling one barrel via the pump.
It will drastically cut down on what you will be lifting around each day.
Good idea,you can also just use gravity,2 mins fills a drum with 1/2 inch hose but you can get an inch fitting and hose then fill in under a minute.
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Having fell off a roof and spent ££££££££££££££££££££££££ on every treatment known to man all it took was a £10 and this book.
If you have lower back pain BUY THIS book NOW!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0959804927
JUST READ THE REVIEWS. AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0987650408/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405774697&sr=1-1&keywords=Treat+Your+Own+Back
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And yes bilge pump is a must.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNeHSiVhfS4&list=UUbuxJ_e6-YuPC4Xp_3YX_KQ
tip no 3
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If you find larger hose a pain then why not add 25 metres of POLE HOSE to your backpack and leave your backpack at the front of the house. Go round the house with just the pole hose and that will save a lot of trolley moving. I find pole hose easier to handle.
Unfortunately I am with everyone else and think you would benefit from a van mount...and possibly a backpack for the real awkward. I use a van mount with 60 metres of pole hose. Personally, I love it but that's me.
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[quote author=Suffolkcleaners link=topic=187593.msg1611590#msg1611590 date=1405762574
Only in my 30's but just wondering whether you would advise a chiropractor or just a massage therapist? I'm pretty sure its nothing serious but it just needs a good massage or whatever to sort it..
[/quote]
Personally I wouldn't recommend a chiropractor. I used to see one a while ago and then my back went completely and I had sciatica for a year and had to have a cortisone injection. The specialist said it most likely flared up from seeing the chiropractor as they manipulate your back and put things out of position.
Your neck and shoulders will get strong but be careful with your back, I just started doing Pilates again which is really good for you if you have back pain.
Tom
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I had a niggling back problem around September/October/November last year and it was so bad (I had to roll out of bed onto my hands and knees and gradually straighten up) that I, eventually, went to the doctor. They took X ray etc but couldn't find anything obviously wrong.
So, I was sent to the physiotherapist and they gave me a series of about 12 stretching exercises to do and I haven't had a problem since. If I feel it coming on I simply do the exercise for a few days and everything is fine. :)
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Much appreciated for the advice guys :) always get good advice on here... I see most people prefer the van mount(personal preference i guess) but the trolley does work for me and maybe an extended bit of hose will do the trick,just leave the trolley at the front to save pulling it round all the time. Least it will save some of the pulling and lifting etc...
Thanks tom and (others)will avoid the chiropractor and maybe just go for a massage or something...
Will see how it goes..however if it gets worse over the coming years(which undoubtedly it prob will with lifting the barrells) i will seriously consider moving to van mount. Maybe it's just my muscles getting used to it(fingers crossed) have lost weight though which is good lol.. think i burn more calories now then when i did trad :-)