Back pain is the number one cause of lost work days in the UK. In its chronic form, the condition can have long-lasting effects on almost every aspect of a sufferer’s life — including domestic cleanliness.
Back pain can be so severe, even the most simple of home cleaning tasks can become almost impossible. Even lifting arms is sometimes just too much to cope with.
While severe back conditions stop some householders from doing any cleaning, there are ways to relieve the strain on the back while carrying out domestic chores.
1. Vacuuming
Particularly if you’re using an upright, vacuuming can be very stressful on the back. You don’t have to suffer in silence, however, as there are options. For example, you can ditch the upright for a handheld vacuum, and a full selection of tools can limit the amount of stretching and bending you need to do.
But if you prefer upright vacuum cleaners, it might be worth purchasing a stick version. Thin, lightweight and highly agile, these versatile cleaning systems are easy to push around. They feature ergonomically designed handles to relieve pressure on the whole arm, as well as a swivelling head to make tight turns easier.
2. Mopping
Mopping the old fashioned way can be back-breaking work. Not only do you need to bend down and stand up several times, you need to apply pressure at the same time. And the need to continually squeeze the mop simply adds to the ordeal. However, by switching to a steam cleaner, you don’t need to apply any pressure. Also, the accompanying tools make reaching awkward spaces a relatively simple process.
3. Washing dishes
A lot of back pain sufferers underestimate the challenges posed by washing dishes at a sink. While there’s no heavy lifting involved, there is a lot of stopping or bending — for prolonged periods. The best way to avoid putting this strain on your back is to use a dishwasher. But if you don’t have one, rest one foot on a stool and bend your knee, making sure you swap feet every few minutes.
4. Making beds
Again, the strain exerted on the back when making beds is often underestimated, which can lead to existing problems beings exacerbated. Making beds not only involves a lot of bending, it also entails stretching, twisting and lifting. To make the process just a little easier, straighten your sheets gradually by moving around your bed. Don’t try to fit sheets or duvets from one location.
5. Gardening
Almost every menial task in the garden can put significant strain on your back. Lawn mowing, weeding, raking, hedge-trimming and planting all require lots of bending and stretching. When you’re performing jobs on your feet, stand as straight as you can. If you can, kneel on padding so you can tend to plants at eye level. Reaching down to collect weeds should be done by bending your knees and keeping your back straight.
6. Cleaning a bathtub
Cleaning a bathtub is enormously tough on the back. Not only do you need to bend, you need to reach over the side and stretch. This, coupled with the scrubbing motion performed by your arms can make this job almost impossible. Instead, fill your bath with hot water and dishwashing detergent, and leave it for an hour or so. Then spray any rings or marks with white vinegar, and leave for a further 30 minutes. A very quick wipe-down should then suffice.
7. Vacuuming upholstery
Modern vacuums come with more attachments and accessories than ever — making them perfect for cleaning upholstered furniture. However, despite these ergonomic tools, reaching into the darkest recesses of sofas and chairs still requires lots of bending and stretching. Find a vacuum that helps make these manoeuvres as easy as possible, for example something that easily converts in to a handheld model to make these kind of tasks simple.
Unfortunately, very few cleaning tasks exert absolutely no pressure on the muscles and tendons in the back. But with the right equipment and approach, you should be able to minimise the toll everyday cleaning takes.
