What not to do...
Since we want to tell as much as we can here on the site, you might as well know now. jm has put her back out!
Was she manuevering a big ceiling beam into place? Well, no.
Or scaling the chimney? Or hoisting buckets of plaster up the steps? Um, no.
She mowed the front and back lawn, the neighbor's front lawn as a surprise, and then carried 5 loads of laundry up and down the stairs. On the fifth one, BANG! Lower back was in tremendous pain that she has never experienced before.
The glazed look in her eyes would be a WHOLE lot of Tylenol and muscle relaxants. The sweater is hiding a grimace of frustration and impatience. She doesn't like the down time.
Ah well. So! For the rest of you...DON'T pick up things using the following technique:
And remember! According to these little "lightening bolt" graphics thingies, lower back pain is contagious. (You know I'm kidding, right?)
So practice "safe friend lifting," okay? Keep your back straight, bend your knees and lift from the muscles in your legs.
Friendly tip from someone (ouch!) who now knows better. If you are going to do your own home renovation, stay in good shape. Better shape than I am, at least!
(7)
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Comments
Ouch--my heart goes out to you, jm! I threw my back out for the first time three weeks ago, a scant eight days before the tenants moved in to their remodeled apartment! The frustration is as bad as the pain... my whole family came to the rescue, and were downstairs cleaning and painting while I lay immobilized in bed, cursing my every breath!
After-the-fact advice is little help, for sure, but I am fast learning that when your body starts sending little cues about taking a break, you better listen, because it will find a away to rest and the results will be ugly! Sheer force of will can only take you so far, sadly....
For healing I found that once I could move again, light activity with *absolutely no lifting* over 10 lbs. worked wonders. Plus, a husband who was incredibly patient and willing to carry stuff around was key :)
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and thanks again for your great blog.
Posted by: Lissa | June 30, 2004 9:51 AM
Better get going on that laundry chute...POPS"30"
Posted by: POPS | June 30, 2004 10:17 AM
Having done substantial amounts of damage to both backs in our family while building our brick garden paths, I echo Lissa's comments. Also helpful: back braces (the elastic and velcro kind you can get at Home Despot--if nothing else, the constant pressure at your waist should remind you to take your back seriously).
Posted by: Tim Jarrett | June 30, 2004 12:03 PM
The very sad (in a funny way) thing about this is that I OWN THE VELCRO BACK THINGIE! In fact, I harped and harped on Aaron to take care of his back and get an Aaron sized one and la la la.
But I never thought to put it on while carrying, well, laundry. Lumber, yes! Laundry...?
Which goes to show you that regardless of the amount of home improvement or cleaning or whatever you are doing...gloves, kneepads, back thingie.
Or get a rude awakening as you wake up feeling like your great grandmother instead of yourself.
Sigh.
Posted by: jm | June 30, 2004 2:00 PM
I am sorry about your back! I have had chronic back pains my whole adult life, and I am a metal sculptor so I am lifing tons of stuff all the time. I have tried it all - every pill, every remedy, everyherb, chiropractors, everything & anything you can imagine. You know what works? Yoga. I had heard it from so many people and scoffed. Yoga is the only thing that settles the spasms, and keeps me mobile despit my quazi-active lifestyle. The only thing that helped after my last car accident - and I felt like you look in the pic. It is free and you can do it almost everywhere - almost too simple. My back hurts so much that if I lay in bed too long, I am sore. I do a few minutes every couple of days and it truly is a lifesaver. you can take one class and do it at home, or get the stances off a website. You probably already know this, but that and a hot bath will really help.
Posted by: dena | June 30, 2004 5:43 PM
Oh, no!
I hope you feel better soon.
*Try* to get some enjoyment out of the forced rest.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 30, 2004 5:50 PM
JM: dena is right about the yoga- my husband threw his back out our 2nd week in this old house- his therapist said the most important stretch is the hamstrings, it helps lower back flexibilty. I got a new book that's hard to put down- Gutted by Lawrence LaRose (2004) about a couple who buys a "fixer upper" with no experience AND no money- get it from Amazon used like I did (they are not living in it while working on it, yet) but still, we have it so much easier than them- no Architectural review boards! I ramble- Good Luck being sessile!
Carol
Posted by: Carol | July 1, 2004 8:24 AM