[Mike #1]

So I have been suffering for a while and only just got round to see a private physio on Friday and he said that the injury is due to how i clean windows all day partly because my arms are  nearly always out stretched in front of me whilst WFP-ing windows  which means that both my shoulders are now now hunched forward only very slightly .

And been right handed i support the weight of pole with my left arm taking all the strain on my left shoulder this is the shoulder i suffer with the most .

So now i have to do exercises everyday to get my shoulders back were they need to be plus exercises to build up my poor core strength , If you sit down on chair or your sofa and relax into it how you usually sit  do your shoulders sit forward ,I now have to  ensure i sit up straight with my shoulders back .

Think about it if you're using your phone ,laptop , eating everything  we put our arms out in front of us if only slightly but as windys we spend 5-7 hrs a day wfp holding the weight of a pole which means we are all set to suffer unless we do something about it .

[rah]

I've been having weekly/fortnightly sports massages for the last 18 months depending on how my back/neck shoulders are. Not getting my saggy ass back into the gym to strengthen core etc.

Been poling for 15 years thin the damage was done with the old poles, but still hopefully got another 15 yrs left

[Mike #1]

Bloody hell mate every week or 2 , The pyhsio gave my shoulder a short massage and it really hurt but massaging that often do you not do exercises the guy i see has over 25 years experience .

I need to check if the cost treatment can be put down as an expense seeing as its a work related injury 

[Walter Mitty]

Bloody hell mate every week or 2 , The pyhsio gave my shoulder a short massage and it really hurt but massaging that often do you not do exercises the guy i see has over 25 years experience .

I need to check if the cost treatment can be put down as an expense seeing as its a work related injury 

I asked my accountant about this some years ago.  Back then it was not an allowable expense - but if you need to buy an appliance (e.g. a back support), that is allowable.  I doubt it has changed for the better but maybe check it anyway.

[Mike #1]

Bloody hell mate every week or 2 , The pyhsio gave my shoulder a short massage and it really hurt but massaging that often do you not do exercises the guy i see has over 25 years experience .

I need to check if the cost treatment can be put down as an expense seeing as its a work related injury 

Cheers Walter 

I asked my accountant about this some years ago.  Back then it was not an allowable expense - but if you need to buy an appliance (e.g. a back support), that is allowable.  I doubt it has changed for the better but maybe check it anyway.

[andyM]

So I have been suffering for a while and only just got round to see a private physio on Friday and he said that the injury is due to how i clean windows all day partly because my arms are  nearly always out stretched in front of me whilst WFP-ing windows  which means that both my shoulders are now now hunched forward only very slightly .

And been right handed i support the weight of pole with my left arm taking all the strain on my left shoulder this is the shoulder i suffer with the most .

So now i have to do exercises everyday to get my shoulders back were they need to be plus exercises to build up my poor core strength , If you sit down on chair or your sofa and relax into it how you usually sit  do your shoulders sit forward ,I now have to  ensure i sit up straight with my shoulders back .

Think about it if you're using your phone ,laptop , eating everything  we put our arms out in front of us if only slightly but as windys we spend 5-7 hrs a day wfp holding the weight of a pole which means we are all set to suffer unless we do something about it .

Have you tried over extending the pole so your left hand is higher up the pole (but still around chest height) and the butt of the pole is about 6" from the ground?
The pole feels better balanced this way and doesn't put so much strain on the shoulders.

[dazmond]

if your having shoulder problems then you ve gotta use xtreme brushes on the end of your xtreme poles mike.they make a big difference.

a medium mixed brush would suffice and rinse on the glass for upper windows.if you get the angle right on your resi neck you can clean frames,sills and glass effectively on maintenance cleans.having a gardiners scraper on your pole helps with the more stubborn marks too.

i d also refuse any f/s/g and conny roof jobs if i were you as these put a lot more strain on shoulders than regular windows.

cod liver oil and glucosamine every day(i swear by it)

learning a  few light yoga exercises to be done every day would be beneficial.even 10 mins in the morning and evening would do you good.

ive never had any shoulder problems for years now apart from the odd ache or little niggle(usually from squeezing in add on jobs on an already very busy window cleaning week).

i already have big strong arms and shoulders from playing drums and gym work over the years.im also 6 ft 2in and 17 stone and have been working outdoors all my life in manual jobs(farms/landscape gardening etc)

i also love swimming but dont go as often as i used to.

when im relaxing at home i slouch on the sofa no problem.i certainly dont think about how im sat or whether my shoulders are back or forward!

im 44 now but i feel much better than i did the whole of my 20s

[Mike #1]

All pointers taken on board lads I will be changing and adapting my methods .

Daz because of drums and gym you are far far less likely to suffer any injury a were as I don't do any exercise other than going to work always getting nagged off my wife as she trains most days .

[Smurf]

Treat yourself to a Thumper Maxi Pro... works a treat 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAvotmtaOLY

How To Get the Most Out of Your Maxi Pro Massage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEsGuLzOVK4
 

[Rich Wilts]

This is what Franky and Tosh use when injury strikes.


https://www.facebook.com/ConselhosdeBiscat/videos/862699600474047/

[Smurf]

This is what Franky and Tosh use when injury strikes.


https://www.facebook.com/ConselhosdeBiscat/videos/862699600474047/

The friend bit cracked me up

[Frankybadboy]

This is what Franky and Tosh use when injury strikes.


https://www.facebook.com/ConselhosdeBiscat/videos/862699600474047/

and a lovely tool it is

[Shane sharples]

I also take glucosamine and eat fish every day, gotta look after your joints. Think of it as wd40 but for your joints 

[Clever Forum Name]

Mike,

What is your current pole and brush?

[rah]

I also play a lot of golf ( well try   )

My accountant claims it back, private medical treatment, always has done. If I'm poorly sick, tax man get's less through not working.

[W.booler]

You could always try upper back and shoulder workout with Brittany. Youtube fine tune pilates upper back and shoulders. You'll feel better instantly! 

[windowswashed]

Practice using wfp swapping arms to have a break from the normal so to balance the muscles or injuries. It's easy enough poling left or right handed. Use lightweight brushes, rigid carbon poles and a good technique that involves rocking on ones heels and toes to take the strain off the arms like we're suppose to instead of using a poor technique and last but not least rinse brush on at height as there is no need to rinse brush off putting excess strain on shoulders.

[NWH]

9-10 it's the tendons in your back and clavicles or collar bone area that need stretching,I found that if you stand back from the Windows far enough you don't need to use such vigorous movements to clean the Windows. Don't forget we are cleaning most of our work regularlary so the need for excess scrubbing isn't needed I find a couple of passes Up and down on the glass is enough

[Mike #1]

Mike,

What is your current pole and brush?

Damo i currently use an Xtreme 22 pole with a Supreme medium mixed and with any higher work or 2hr commercial jobs  i switch to a Xtreme brush .

[Clever Forum Name]

Setup is good then.

I have Physio once every 5 weeks.

Hand massage every 4 weeks.

Could be technique.