Work related injuries are unfortunate yet expected for some people. Using poor lifting techniques, or constantly bending over and even sitting at a desk all day can contribute to a work related injury. For many of us, these aches and pains roll over into our home lives when we are responsible for cleaning around the house. At The Pain Center of Arizona, we encourage patients to not only be aware of safe work habits, but to practice safety when doing in household chores, too.
Our providers not only put their heads into their work, but their hearts as well. At The Pain Center of Arizona, we care for our patients and want to see them succeed through their treatment. Chores are inevitable, but related injuries are not. With 11 locations across the valley, The Pain Center is the leading pain clinic in all of Arizona.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all been guilty of letting dishes pile up in the sink because cleaning them can be a hassle. You may not realize it, but doing the dishes can actually promote back pain. Deep sinks require people to bend forward and sustain a bent position for a lengthy period of time. The spinal discs and soft tissues of the spine become aggravated, especially when vigorously scrubbing those relentless dishes.
A quick fix to avoid back pain from doing the dishes is easy, really. Simply open one of the cabinet doors below the sink and rest one foot inside. This provides leg support by using your leg as leverage to minimize bending at the waist. If your sink does not have a cabinet below, use a short step stool or small box for assistance.
Vacuuming and mopping is no walk in the park either. For big floors- carpet, word, or tile- cleaning can be a pain. We are required to extend and reach our arms forward and inward constantly, which inevitable causes us to bend forward and strain our backs. People often keep their feet planted while doing these chores, which wears on the muscles of the back, causing them to over-extend.
The best way to avoid back pain while vacuuming and mopping is to keep your shoulders and hips moving in the direction of your work. Instead of standing in one position and requiring your arms and back to do the work, get your whole body moving. Hey, it your chores can even double as a workout.
With spring just around the corner, we know many of our patients will be out with the old and in with the new. Cleaning can be therapeutic and healthy. From all of us at The Pain Center of Arizona, we remind patients to ask questions, stay in contact, and get treatment for their back pain.
If you suffer from chronic pain due to any condition or injury, find hope at The Pain Center of Arizona! Our dedicated team of board certified pain management physicians will work with you to treat your pain, increase your functionality and quality of life, and get you back into life! We have locations across Arizona, including Phoenix, Anthem, Surprise, Mesa, Gilbert, Deer Valley, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and now Prescott and Tucson! We take multiple insurance plans; click here to see if we take yours! To make an appointment and take the first step toward getting back into life, call us today at 1-888-PAINCENTER. We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©The Pain Center of Arizona, 2014
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