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Can i just say im only 24 and im seriously worried as my back has already caused me problems in the last 2-3 years the only thing i can recommend is a lightweight back brace that's extremely flexible and dont overdo it on work it doesnt matter if your lifting an old council slab by yourself because its the last one and you want to get home, dont do it, My saying is the harder you hurt your body, the harder your body hurts you in your later years.
dont know wats hapening tryed to reply twice nothing
Use knees, legs and arms to form a secure base when moving/lifting/laying slabs, never over reach with weight only on arms etc etc. All basic techniques, but so important to keep your back working for life. A wide belt and trousers that actually stay up over your hip. 'Builder's Bum' definitely a no, no! Keep the lumber region warm and covered. A neoprene belt will also help as mentioned by Benjamin.
For the present Richard, have a day's rest. I used to have a problem years ago and still need to be careful after 36 years work, but you will learn to work smarter.
Richard
I am at the ten years later stage.
I'm 49 this year and I am indeed paying my price for the heavy work I've done over the years.
My problem is exacerbated because I had two accidents in close succession when I was 17 & 18 years of age. This resulted in my right leg being shorter than the left.
I have no choice but to manage as best I can. I try to avoid taking pain killers but I do succumb as a last resort.
The best method is by avoiding unnecessary heavy lifting or straining your back. I know it's hard when you're a landscaper.
For example, if you can price in a small site handler (something like an Avant) to assist with moving materials then you can save yourself for the physical work.
If you have pulled a muscle in your buttock (hamstring?) then it's worth spending 5 minutes before you start each morning by bending and stretching out your hamstrings. I do this throughout the job too.
Too tight hamstrings can have a knock on effect throughout the back muscles too.
Good advice here. I too have had back problems on and off but ok at the moment as i have learnt what not to do ! It's hard to realise when you are young what damage you are doing - you think you are invincible. All i can say is you are not and one day you will realise, maybe that day has come.
I stopped doing heavy landscaping work because of the effects it was having on my back and other body parts. If you are solely a landscaper then you will have to work smarter as said above. It is silly trying to avoid the costs of getting machinery in to save lifting, lugging etc just to save the customer a few quid.
Hope it gets better soon. Chiropractor is my first port of call when i start getting trouble.
I had suffered from a bad back for about 5 years. Like you, I was extremely worried for the future. Tread very carfeully with a chiropractor. My experience of them is that they are good to help with the initial problem, but not very good going forward. My chirpopractor kept trying to tie me into a long term treatment plan and at the same time kept drilling it into me that there were big problems with my back. This really increased my stress levels and made me start thinking I was going to be crippled by the age of 40.
Eventually I quit the chirpractors and went to an NHS back course. There were about 6 people on the course. We had all been assessed prior to the course starting and the first thing they told us on the course was that there was nothing seriously wrong with our backs. To hear this news was a massive relief. We were then shown how to do a series of simple stretches. At the end of the course we were further advised to do the stretches daily and just to get on with our lives as much as possible and stop worrying.
I also went out and bought a goood mattress. I spent a lot of time choosing the mattress and I think it cost £1200. Worth every penny though because I have not had an "episode" for at least 3 years. Prior to this I would have 4-5 episodes a year where I would experience severe back pain which could put me down for at least a week.
I have done a bit of research on line and here is a link which pretty much covers the stretches I did. Number 2 (knee to the chest) is the best one by far and if you only do one a day, thats the one to do. Also its also good to expand on that exercise by bringing both knees to the chest.
Good luck and it would be good to hear how you get on
Steve
http://www.whyiexercise.com/exercises-for-low-back-pain.html
I've been very lucky with the back so far (taps head), but feeling it everywhere else. Arthritis in a pinky, tennis elbow each side, toe hurts and knees knackered through years of sport.
Always mindful of lifting technique, bending at the knee, straight back etc. Agree with using mechanisation whenever possible, makes sense.
Just built a serpentine retaining wall, and being over 6' it's all the kneeling, stretching, bending, twisting at a low level that creates problems.
I am 54 though, so maybe I should expect it at my age! Considering doing yoga, that might help.
Good to read all your replies. Feels slightly better today while working, i stopped to take a call today for 5 mins, after i felt really stiff. My hamstrings are tight, so my Pilates teacher said. I am doing some Pilates at home and this morning spend 5 mins stretching which helped. I really have got to consider the future as we all have. Again thanks for all your advice.
I have had constant and ongoing back problems since October last year and have been seeing an NHS physio for a while. My pain is in the midback, below the shoulder blades, which is not the usual spot. I had 2 sessions with a chiropractor but quit as it felt like it was getting worse. I have very little faith in them but just went as I was desperate.
My aim is to strengthen and tighten the muscles up a bit as they are loose and I have very uneven movement between both sides of my back. There was no heavy lift that injured it; I guess it was just an accumulation of work over a busy season.
I'm 32, fit healthy and strong and have been close to tears with it a few times.
You'll be OK when the sun comes out Dan!
Dan Frazer Gardening said:
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