Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on February 22, 2007, 09:50:33 am
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What a run of crappy luck.
I had 3 days off last week while my car was out of action.
I've had 3 days off this week with a knackered shoulder.
I'm still in massive pain at times, but I thought at least if I go out and try to do some granny bungalows left handed I'll make a few quid.
What happens?
Lashes down with rain doesn't it? >:(
Taxman wants £300 in a few days, but I need £200 to cover my bills.
So if I can do £500 left handed tomorrow I'll be fine.
Might make £50 if it's dry...
Never rains but it pours...literally!
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Squeaky,
Just a thought are you claiming working tax credit, if not may be worth a try to help with your problem.
Doug
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Squeeky - if you ring the tax office and explain your situation they will give you extra time or make a payment plan for you so you don,t get any extra charges.
Do you have any insurance for being off sick?
Regards Robbie
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Squeeky
Make sure you dont damage yuor knee, i,ve told months.
Gary
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So if I can do £500 left handed tomorrow I'll be fine.
Squeaky,
Buy a WFP system today and then you'll easily do £500+ tomorrow ;)
Andy
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I get a bit, but I don't think I can claim any more to pay my tax bill!
I'll cover my normal bills because I've got a week I can step back...I'll explain:
I've always banked the end of the week after the work.
Today or tomorrow I'll pay in what I made last week, so that's fine.
Next week I'd pay in this week's, but I'll have barely made anything.
So, what I'll do is add tomorrow's money to next week's and bank it next friday.
By the following week I'll be fine.
I'm just bringing the banking forward a week, and no pay-in is missed.
As soon as money is better I'll try and manufacture the week behind again with a double pay-in on week.
It's a useful thing, as it gets me out of situations like this.
Rog.
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So if I can do £500 left handed tomorrow I'll be fine.
Squeaky,
Buy a WFP system today and then you'll easily do £500+ tomorrow ;)
Andy
A comedian. ::)
Right, so that's 4 times my good day...
So you mean the houses that most people take 20 mins on, which I knock out in 10...I'll be able to do them in 2 minutes WFP?
10 times faster than your average guy?
Go back to sleep. ::)
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LOL - I was only joking mate!
Hope you have a better week next week :)
Andy
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LOL - I was only joking mate!
Hope you have a better week next week :)
Andy
Fair enough mate, sorry. :-X
I couldn't tell, because some people actually write rubbish like that.
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Hi Squeaky
hope things get sorted out for you mate :)
on the subject of wfp your favourite lol, now would not be a good time to go into wfp with a shoulder injury for obvious reasons its not kind on the shoulders, elbows and back :-X
regards
Brett
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What a run of crappy luck.
I had 3 days off last week while my car was out of action.
I've had 3 days off this week with a knackered shoulder.
I'm still in massive pain at times, but I thought at least if I go out and try to do some granny bungalows left handed I'll make a few quid.
What happens?
Lashes down with rain doesn't it? >:(
Taxman wants £300 in a few days, but I need £200 to cover my bills.
So if I can do £500 left handed tomorrow I'll be fine.
Might make £50 if it's dry...
Never rains but it pours...literally!
Hi Rog.
I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma.
I cant make suggestions for all the problems you've mentioned but I will make some for those that I have experienced.
The shoulder problem. I was getting problems with my neck/shoulder area too when I was trad cleaning (it switched to an elbow problem when I started WFP so I'm not gonna do any lectures :) ) .
First of all, purely as a stopgap, go the the chemist and get yourself some Ibuprofen tablets. They are a very good painkiller and they don't make you drowsy like some do. Read the instructions carefully as they aren't appropriate if you have certain other medical issues (liver problems and asthma spring to mind but there may be others). Although taking these painkillers is purely a "sticking plaster" job, as they are also an anti-inflammatory, they may even resolve the problem. If you need a longer term solution, when finances allow, a good acupuncturist (or acupressurist if you have a needle aversion) should be able to help you - at a price. A few years ago I had some severe pain that persisted on my left shoulder/neck area (I'm left handed) and it didn't get any better until I got regular sessions with an acupressurist. After the first few sessions, it felt even worse but I persisted. Within a few weeks, I felt good again. My problem was that I had left it quite a while. If I had gone sooner it would have cleared more quickly.
If your shoulder problem is on the outer part of the shoulder and slightly down the arm, it may be the deltoid muscle. If it is this you may need to rest it further and seek more conventional medical help too.
If this info helps, I'm glad. If it doesn't, at least I've tried.
Of course it would probably be a good idea to see your doc anyway if you haven't already done so and what I've said should be taken for what it is - an unqualified person relating their personal experience in order that it might help you.
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Squeeky,
It's times like this when you have to change your whole concept on window cleaning and start running it as a business as you wil always need something as backup when things go wrong.
I have a safety fund of £2k in a ISSA account which I do not touch, it took some time to do this but when I got a cheque off someone it went into that account.
I also have a fund to cover me if I am off sick for a month, this I do not touch as well.
As I have enough work now anyone that is new I give them a crazy price as I do not really need the work, the problem is now they say yes. I currently hit £12 - £15 an hour but I now this is not a good from a business side so I am working on it at present. With these people I give a crazy price I am hitting £30 per hour.
But you have to watch yourself as you cannot price this up in the same street, these prices tend to be where the house is in a one off area.
I know you go on about it's a rip off at them prices but you need to try it as some people will pay it provided you do a good job. Next time someone asks for a quote try it, you may be surprised and you have nothing to loose.
Start getting some high earners in your round.
Hope this helps
Lastly like me you will probably get nagged by your woman with that money sitting in the bank, but that's when you go suddenly death. ;D
Doug
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Squeeky,
It's times like this when you have to change your whole concept on window cleaning and start running it as a business as you wil always need something as backup when things go wrong.
I have a safety fund of £2k in a ISSA account which I do not touch, it took some time to do this but when I got a cheque off someone it went into that account.
I also have a fund to cover me if I am off sick for a month, this I do not touch as well.
As I have enough work now anyone that is new I give them a crazy price as I do not really need the work, the problem is now they say yes. I currently hit £12 - £15 an hour but I now this is not a good from a business side so I am working on it at present. With these people I give a crazy price I am hitting £30 per hour.
But you have to watch yourself as you cannot price this up in the same street, these prices tend to be where the house is in a one off area.
I know you go on about it's a rip off at them prices but you need to try it as some people will pay it provided you do a good job. Next time someone asks for a quote try it, you may be surprised and you have nothing to loose.
Start getting some high earners in your round.
Hope this helps
Lastly like me you will probably get nagged by your woman with that money sitting in the bank, but that's when you go suddenly death. ;D
Doug
I sincerely hope not but going deaf might be useful ;D
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Cheers guys.
No need for Ibuprofen, the docs already had me on Diprofenic which is stronger anyway.
Not that I'm really any better after 4 days. :(
Doug, my prices are fine.
I haven't got any work under £20 per hour and most is more.
My shops are £47-57 and take an hour-10, or an hour-20.
Could do with £200's worth of them though.
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the docs already had me on Diprofenic which is stronger anyway
Im on them along with tramadol
The diclofenic do take a while to work as they are slow releasing but after a week or so you should start feeling a lot better.
Paul
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While we're self-medicating here's some advice my doc gave me when I cracked a rib last spring.
He said to mix ibuprofen and paracetamol like this. (The effect is more powerful but still safe)
Within an hour of waking up: 1 of each
Then as needed during waking hrs (but no sooner than 4hrs) same again
Maximum recommended by doc:-
4 Ibu and 4 para total per day.
So while the pain is acute say 8 am/12noon/4pm and stretch the last one to 10pm. Any more than a 3 day run and pain not subsiding check with Doc again.
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Rog, My daughter is a physio, she warned me years ago against what is known as frozen shoulder. This is caused by a trapped nerve when working with your hands above your head. What I suggest is that you work off a milk crate or something, even when doing bottoms you can reach.
There is a lot of leverage put on the shouder joint when your arm is extended.
Take care mate, I know of a wc that had to retire with frozen shoulder. Dai
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the houses that most people take 20 mins on, which I knock out in 10...
sorry don't believe you.
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the houses that most people take 20 mins on, which I knock out in 10...
sorry don't believe you.
Suit yourself slowcoach. ::)
Interesting Dai, it definately feels like a nerve pain, despite what the doc said.
I've got an appointment with an osteopath today.
My mother had him fixing something years ago and he was excellent apparently.
I hope it's not as serious as the case you mentioned Dai, as it's just not going away.
Last night I was laying awake in pain most of the night.
It's just not getting better. :(
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Hope your well soon rog as i know whats its like to be off work with no money coming in as i just had 4 1/2 weeks off sick.
Have you tried putting a hot water bottle on the painfull area as i know it helps relax your muscles
Paul
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Have you tried putting a hot water bottle on the painfull area as i know it helps relax your muscles
Paul
Paul,
I believe the opposite it is what you do on injuries like this; put FROZEN ice-packs on it, such as a bag of frozen peas (don't eat 'em afterwards though).
Wor Lass (and runners in general) does this to their injuries.
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I have also heard about ice packs also but the doctor told me hot water bottle to relax the muscles maybe both ways work.
Paul
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I was lead to believe the hot water bottle is to stop the pain, heat signals are stronger than pain signals, ice is to reduce swelling.
DAve
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Rog, go down the local outdoor get yourself 4 tins of super tennants and 2 tins of diamond white and you have my guarantee that you wont feel anything! works everytime for me.
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I was lead to believe the hot water bottle is to stop the pain, heat signals are stronger than pain signals, ice is to reduce swelling.
DAve
Dave, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am; for most muscle/tendon related injuries; ice packs are the done thing. I live with an athelete; she's super-human (compared with my weak-flabby self); and she ices any injuries she gets.
Paula Radcliffe routinely takes baths filled with ice cubes after marathons; apparantly (obviously I'm not there to check).
DISCLAIMER
Also remember, I am a window cleaner, so any medical advice I dispense should be taken with a pinch of salt.
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Tosh, what is the salt for. ;D
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Tosh, what is the salt for. ;D
Throwing over your shoulder; obviously!
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Squeeky, you could try T.E.N.S, I use it for trapped nerves. Google it for info, if I had more time I'd explain all about it' but I'm off out for some nosh. :)
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Tosh your probibly right regarding the ice for injurys, but I dont see him getting much kip with a packet of frozen peas in the bed, i know the pain is eased by heat thus helping sleep, i know this from many bouts of really bad tooth ache, wont help the injury much but a good nights kip is very important.
DAve
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I've been to the Osteopath now, and all is now clear.
What's happened is that I have a tendency to pull the muscles in my neck, it's a medical condition lots of blokes get apparently.
This I knew because I'm always putting my neck out of place.
The reason for the shoulder pain is thus:
My neck went on wednesday.
On thursday, after 3 days off with no car I worked flat out with a bad neck.
This inflammed the muscles and trapped a nerve, which has endings in the shoulder.
After manipulation in all directions he's satisfied the nerve is not trapped now, and my joints are fine.
The pain is due to the nerve being damaged.
All I can do is take it steady and wait for it to ease.
But don't throw myself back into work too hard.
There you go, just needed to see a professional! :)
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Stretching sorts everything out
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But don't throw myself back into work too hard.
Back to normal then! ;D
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Its good to hear what the problem could be Rog, it clears the air somewhat . . . best of luck mate!
. . . and dont forget you are surrounded by experts - we all know how to cure you!!
;D ;D ;D ;D
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http://orthopedics.about.com/od/rotatorcuff/g/rotatorcuff.htm.
Squeaks, check this link out.
Rotator cuff injuries can be serious. Don't forget to try and keep your hand below your head.
This is one injury that shouldn't happen to WFP users, you may be forced to change if it doesn't get better. Dai
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I've been to the Osteopath now, and all is now clear.
What's happened is that I have a tendency to pull the muscles in my neck, it's a medical condition lots of blokes get apparently.
This I knew because I'm always putting my neck out of place.
The reason for the shoulder pain is thus:
My neck went on wednesday.
On thursday, after 3 days off with no car I worked flat out with a bad neck.
This inflammed the muscles and trapped a nerve, which has endings in the shoulder.
After manipulation in all directions he's satisfied the nerve is not trapped now, and my joints are fine.
The pain is due to the nerve being damaged.
All I can do is take it steady and wait for it to ease.
But don't throw myself back into work too hard.
There you go, just needed to see a professional! :)
I'm glad to hear that things are on the mend Squeaky.
Stuff like that that can be really painful.
Been there myself.
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http://orthopedics.about.com/od/rotatorcuff/g/rotatorcuff.htm.
Squeaks, check this link out.
Rotator cuff injuries can be serious. Don't forget to try and keep your hand below your head.
This is one injury that shouldn't happen to WFP users, you may be forced to change if it doesn't get better. Dai
I thought wfp would be better for me, but it's not the case.
I asked the experts about changing to pole use, and they've all said it's a lot worse for my neck due to constantly looking up.
It's an un-natural postion apparently, and I'll cause myself more neck trouble.
A warning for you all maybe...? :-\
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Roger ,
I went for a physical a little while ago and my Doc said the same thing ,Arthritis was almost inevitable in my neck from looking up all day, We do a lot of trad pole work,
This is a physical job we do and wear and tear on the body is part of the price we pay for it,
If you try to vary your work as much as possible it might help you to continue working
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Suit yourself slowcoach
If an average w/c on ladders which i use to be is earning £100-£150 a day so you are earning £200 - £300 a day :o
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Suit yourself slowcoach
If an average w/c on ladders which i use to be is earning £100-£150 a day so you are earning £200 - £300 a day :o
You obviously work more hours than me.
I do 5-6 hours usually.
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Yoga+WFP=Solution.
(imo)
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Nope, apparently not.
WFP is very bad for your neck. :-\
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You've got Einsteins pipe syndrone. He smoked a pipe (apparently) and there was no one around smarter than he was to tell him that it was bad for him.
What was wrong with the milk crate idea? Also you could use a short pole(traditional) to use different muscle groups.
Half the problem is probably because you are too fast and good at what you do.(vigourous). Is it unthinkable to slow down?
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Try going to the gym Rog, use a variety of machines so that all the major muscle groups are well worked.
Doing 100 press ups might make youl feel good, but specifically working a lot more of the muscle froups might help you get your body into a better balance.
We all of us become 'unbalanced', we favour certain muscles as we work or do anything at all, as a result other muscles become weak and more reliant on the surounding muscles.
Sometimes when the balance is too far out damage occurs, the weakened muscle shortens and then when under strain it goes 'pop!'
Part of the idea behind Sports Massage is that they work all the muscles and unkink them if you like, lengthening them and allowing them to work more effeciently.
Anyway, its only a thought, it may or may not help you...but it can't hurt!
Whether WFP will hurt your neck...or any other part of your body come to that, has more to do with the way in which you work, you don't spend all your time craning your neck, you'll be surprised how often you are doing just that when you are working off a ladder, as often as not you are working with your head bent back.
I for one have never had the remotest problem with my neck as a result of WFP, and I do a lot of high stuff.
The problem is of course that you never know until you try do you?
A bit of a catch 22 position isn't it?
Ian
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Whether WFP will hurt your neck...or any other part of your body come to that, has more to do with the way in which you work, you don't spend all your time craning your neck, you'll be surprised how often you are doing just that when you are working off a ladder, as often as not you are working with your head bent back.
I for one have never had the remotest problem with my neck as a result of WFP, and I do a lot of high stuff.
The problem is of course that you never know until you try do you?
A bit of a catch 22 position isn't it?
Ian
You're right Ian, you do look up when cleaning trad.
The difference is only probably 10 degrees more with WFP, but according to the osteopath that's a lot more strain.
Like you said, do I lay out a lot of money only to find it's a bad idea...? :-\
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Squeeky
I had similar problems to you when i was trad, 3 or 4 times i had phyio to sort it out.
Approx 8 years a go we was doing 5% windows the rest was other cleaning & grounds related work. i had a bad fall (not window cleaning i had, ind cleaning.)
At one point they informed me i should go disability benefits 6 months it took to get back to work proper. I was determined not to do this so constantly was in pain & took painkillers for 2 years on & off with addititional time of 4 to 6 weeks at a time.
Over 5 years ago we started to get back into windows usual reasons & picked up a lot of commercial contracts. We then looked into wfp & invested in Tucker system, & have not looked backed our w/c now is 98% of turn over.
I rarely have back problems now doing wfp, & have not reyurned to physio for neck shoulder injury snce. Wfp can be strenuous but it is easier than it looks with practice. Especially with all these new light weight poles. I would say give it a go if you have the work to warrant it.
Gary