Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: suds window service on April 27, 2008, 09:21:38 pm

Title: elbows
Post by: suds window service on April 27, 2008, 09:21:38 pm
i month into my new career all is well apart from one thing both my elbows are killing me ,i need to find a lighter pole to use with my freedom trolley...any ideas i would be grateful...thanks Dave
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: NWH on April 27, 2008, 09:29:46 pm
Descirbe the feeling,do you have pins and needles in your hands with this that switches from hand to hand.Also cramp which  is in the hands,sometimes left sometimes right.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: suds window service on April 27, 2008, 09:33:22 pm
no just pains in the joints, from constantly lifting the pole so before it gets worse i am going for a ligther pole was thinking carbon fibre ?
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: NWH on April 27, 2008, 09:37:38 pm
I use really light poles but have it at the moment,light poles don`t make much difference as it`s the movement it`s like tennis elbow.It could also be a trapped nerve in your neck or back,i`m going to the osteopath tommorow.Over the weekend it`s eased up a bit but can play up during the working week.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Nathanael Jones on April 27, 2008, 09:38:23 pm
What height do you need?

There are some really lightweight fishing poles that can be easily adapted. They only cost £20 odd,.. so if you don't like it you haven't lost much.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: suds window service on April 27, 2008, 09:42:18 pm
only need 27ft at the moment and have heard people on here speaking about fishing poles??????but been in two minds to ask as dont want to sound silly lol
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Nathanael Jones on April 27, 2008, 09:44:27 pm
Ask Matt for a link to the DIY site,.. the zensorflex/reload combo seems a very popular choice and as light as you can get really.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: frames to panes on April 27, 2008, 10:47:54 pm
Tennis elbow for me too  :-[ cleaning conservatory roofs is the killer. My right arm is stuck in the shape of a boomerang. ::)
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: jouk45 on April 27, 2008, 10:54:58 pm
the doc told me take ibubrofen as they are inflamitory tables as well as taking a way the pain, it worked for me,
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: davids3511 on April 28, 2008, 12:07:24 am
the doc told me take ibubrofen as they are inflamitory tables as well as taking a way the pain, it worked for me,

I hurt my back a few weeks ago. Nothing seemed to make a difference until I took some ibubrofen and within a few hours I was up and about again. Not cured but a hell of a lot better.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: brett walker on April 28, 2008, 12:15:48 am
ive got a sore shoulder through doing wfp it comes and goes

were all just unfit and getting old  ;D ;D :'(

saw a lad the other day who used to work for me 2 yrs ago he used to be up the ladder all day long he was very fit i cant believe how much weight he has put on hes fat just goes to show ladders is a way of keeping fit, wfp may be safer but its affecting other parts of the body

Brett
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: frames to panes on April 28, 2008, 07:49:46 am
My wallet lost plenty of weight this week (thanks Alex) ;D
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 08:10:08 am
I'm starting to get tendon or muscle pain in my right shoulder.
Also a bit of elbow joint pain at times in my left arm.
My right elbow is fine, but that had 10 years of squeegeeing, so I guess it's used to it.

Seems to be the same thing I got in my upper arm and shoulder when working trad, which forced me to change over.

Thing is, it never gets a rest.
Work monday to friday, weights 3 times a week, playing darts every day too. :-\

Need a week's holiday I reckon!
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: paul mather on April 28, 2008, 08:33:42 am
I've just started getting problems with my elbow as well. I wake up in the middle of the night & my left hand is numb along with the feeling of pins & needles. The only way to stop it is to straighten out my arm.
I must say I've had a busy month getting through all my work & also doing some extra one offs, so I'm putting it down to that.
The collective name that is given for this problem is Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI & that includes lots of conditions such as Tennis Elbow & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Good to know that when we reduce the risk of falling off a ladder we then increase the risk of suffering from RSI. ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 28, 2008, 02:30:07 pm
Good to know that when we reduce the risk of falling off a ladder we then increase the risk of suffering from RSI. ::) ::) ::)
Yes, instead of falls, now all we have to worry about is being crippled after about 50. ::)
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Alex Gardiner on April 28, 2008, 02:46:21 pm
I've just started getting problems with my elbow as well. I wake up in the middle of the night & my left hand is numb along with the feeling of pins & needles. The only way to stop it is to straighten out my arm.
I must say I've had a busy month getting through all my work & also doing some extra one offs, so I'm putting it down to that.
The collective name that is given for this problem is Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI & that includes lots of conditions such as Tennis Elbow & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Good to know that when we reduce the risk of falling off a ladder we then increase the risk of suffering from RSI. ::) ::) ::)

It is probably the years of squeegee use and ladder carrying that are now catching up with you all!!  :(
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: windowwashers on April 28, 2008, 05:32:51 pm
Good to know that when we reduce the risk of falling off a ladder we then increase the risk of suffering from RSI. ::) ::) ::)
Yes, instead of falls, now all we have to worry about is being crippled after about 50. ::)
By the sounds of it Squeaky you are doing to much with your body and not letting it recover long enough, weights maybe playing a part in this, I used to get the same
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: dai on April 28, 2008, 08:30:39 pm
I had elbow problems when I used the Backflip. I bought one of those elasticated elbow supports and it sorted me out in no time.
If I hold my arm out palm facing down, the pain comes from the top of the joint, I can still feel it if I prod it with my finger, try one of those supports. Dai
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 28, 2008, 09:18:32 pm
If your pole is too heavy for constant use try using your pole left handed from time to time. It's a good way of resting certain parts of the body by switching around from right handed use to left handed use. Takes a while to get use but after a while it becomes second nature just like using a squeegie both handed.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: *Mr Tumble on April 28, 2008, 09:21:16 pm
IT'S NOT THE POLES.

It's lifting the reel in an out and winding it.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 28, 2008, 09:46:20 pm
IT'S NOT THE POLES.

It's lifting the reel in an out and winding it.

Leave it in the van.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: *Mr Tumble on April 28, 2008, 10:13:13 pm
Nine times out of ten mine gets out of the van.  Or rahter I lift it in and out.

How else can you set the direction you need to go in?

And what if the hose get's all funny on you and kinks up? Answer: it falls out of the van and bends something when it hits the floor.

I lift it out un less it's in a more or less straight line to where I'm working.

How does anyone else do it?
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: frames to panes on April 29, 2008, 08:02:36 am
Never take mine out ever, have it mounted as close to the back door as possible then park as best i can for a straight pull. Thinking of screwing a guide inside the doors if i can find one. If it's a really odd angle i'll pull several yards off the spool to start. Even better would be to mount the reel on a large cartridge bearing to allow it to move with the direction of pull.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: *Mr Tumble on April 29, 2008, 08:07:17 am
What about if there's a car/bush/tree/corner of house/small dog in the way?

I always position mine to give the clearest run, and I am not always able to park the van in the best place.

I don't know how you guys who leave it in the van cope.  Mine just drops out when it snags.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: frames to panes on April 29, 2008, 08:09:23 am
Clipped to the floor really solid.It also means i never have to disconnect the water supply either.
Title: Re: elbows
Post by: pitcher on April 29, 2008, 08:23:26 am
to all ....   had same problems when first started WFP .arms shoulder tenis elbows.went to quack advise to change grip on pole regualar to allow different muscle to be used .Now do this with out thinking.3yrs down line i have no problem.My staff new and old use this method and have never had a problrm>worrying though