Anyone on the tools get a bad lower back sometimes?

[bernhund]

I've been a bathroom fitter for 25 years and there are days when my left lower back can get really painful for a few days. It doesn't stop me working because I'm one of those who needs to have the Grim Reaper knocking before taking a day off, but I guess a lot of people would take time out. What makes matters worse is that I've needed a new hip for 10 years, so I probably do things a bit twisted/one sided.
So the question is this: For those of us who occasionally suffer this for a few days at a time,is there some kind of lumber support that takes some of the strain of everyday physical work (such as bathroom fitting) away a little?

[Chris77]

I'm a tiler/bathroom fitter and I feel your pain (Literally LOL).

I find it helps if I focus on my posture, and also lifting with legs as appose to back. The 2 worst jobs for my back are large format floor tiling jobs and kitchen wall tiling. I have recently added hanging for a minute from a pull up bar at the gym to help stretch out my back.

I actually suffer most with my ankles due to years of Taekwondo, watching me get up after a long bout of kneeling down is quite amusing to my co workers.

[The Ferret]

Try 20 minutes on an exercise bike, moderate resistance. My back was absolutely shot until I bought one and started using it. Felt the difference after just one 20 minute session. I stopped using it after a few weeks, but the problem came back again a few months later and made me realise it was a permanent change I needed to make, not something I could fix with a few hours work.

Been using it since new year now and not had any issues, in fact I feel better than I have in years. The added bonus being I'm now managing an hour every other day, my fitness level has soared, and I now sleep properly at night as I'm worn out.

[Derek Smith]

I have a bad lower back partly due to years of riding bicycles. Posture on bikes is vital.

I use a back support for those circumstances I know will aggravate my back, for instance driving long distances. I has reduced the pain for me although my physio isn't too happy.

I find ibuprofen is excellent when the pain gets too much but a problem with pain killers is that I carry on doing those things which aggravate the pain. Not a good idea.

Don't ignore it. Get advice of the way to work. Physios can be good at this. A sports physio especially so.

However, it is essential not to ignore it. Have a word with a professional. Get an MRI scan. This might well show the problem and provide answers for pain relief and not to make it worse.

If I'd known that riding a bike was the cause of my back pain/injury I would have changed bikes and routes. I would not have had to give up my Chimaera and have automatic cars.

[bernhund]

Chris77 said:

I'm a tiler/bathroom fitter and I feel your pain (Literally LOL).

I find it helps if I focus on my posture, and also lifting with legs as appose to back. The 2 worst jobs for my back are large format floor tiling jobs and kitchen wall tiling. I have recently added hanging for a minute from a pull up bar at the gym to help stretch out my back.

I actually suffer most with my ankles due to years of Taekwondo, watching me get up after a long bout of kneeling down is quite amusing to my co workers.

It's a proper tough job fitting bathrooms! Up and down stairs all day will boxes of tiles, bags of rubble, plaster, china ware. All heavy stuff, then on your knees, on your feet, on your knees, on your feet. Crawling around dusty hot awkward loft spaces and being a contortionist behind baths and panels. I'm getting too old for it!!!

[Emanresu]

I've used a weightlifting belt in the past when I've had issues. Helps to take the strain off.

[bernhund]

To bike or not to bike. That is the question!

I think part of my problem is the broken hip I got 10 years ago. The socket broke out the back in a car crash, but too many other essential ops were carried out and I was told I wouldn't have survived the hip too. So since then, having been told I mustn't carry more than 10 kilos, I've just been getting on with my job as I had before. I think I'm twisting and lifting awkwardly to put weight on the other leg.

[Chris77]

bernhund said:

It's a proper tough job fitting bathrooms! Up and down stairs all day will boxes of tiles, bags of rubble, plaster, china ware. All heavy stuff, then on your knees, on your feet, on your knees, on your feet. Crawling around dusty hot awkward loft spaces and being a contortionist behind baths and panels. I'm getting too old for it!!!

Very true!!! I take it you wear knee protection? I have been wearing Snickers floor layer trousers with the large silicone bead knee inserts for over 10 years, make a massive difference to my knees.

I have seen some T shirts that have built in back support for tattooists a, have been meaning to give those a try https://www.sullenclothing.com/products/virus-x-su...

[Gompo]

The biggest help for me is wearing a belt (just a decent one in my work trousers that can be tight) and wearing boots (which probably helps my posture/gate). However I am not a tiler and almost definitely younger, but have a manual trade with a fair amount of carrying/walking/twisting with awkward loads.

[The Ferret]

bernhund said:

To bike or not to bike. That is the question!

I think part of my problem is the broken hip I got 10 years ago. The socket broke out the back in a car crash, but too many other essential ops were carried out and I was told I wouldn't have survived the hip too. So since then, having been told I mustn't carry more than 10 kilos, I've just been getting on with my job as I had before. I think I'm twisting and lifting awkwardly to put weight on the other leg.

On that basis then, I would really recommend speaking to a reputable Physio or even Chiropractor for some advice. The last thing you want to do is start an exercise regime which might cause you more problems.

I'd wager the back problems are linked to the hip. It certainly was/is part of my problem. My Chiropractor quickly spotted the stiffness in my right hip compared to my left. That surprised me, as my hips are about the only thing that have never given me a problem. I go 4 times a year now, and a large part of each session is spent on the hip, massaging it and trying to get it moving as it should. Ultimately I've been told I'll likely need a replacement at some stage (I'm 38 so that was quite a shock) although nothing is ever certain.

Problems with knees/back/hips are often linked to each other. Having a weak spot in one place can play havoc with other areas of the body without you even knowing.

[bernhund]

The Ferret said:

bernhund said:

To bike or not to bike. That is the question!

I think part of my problem is the broken hip I got 10 years ago. The socket broke out the back in a car crash, but too many other essential ops were carried out and I was told I wouldn't have survived the hip too. So since then, having been told I mustn't carry more than 10 kilos, I've just been getting on with my job as I had before. I think I'm twisting and lifting awkwardly to put weight on the other leg.

On that basis then, I would really recommend speaking to a reputable Physio or even Chiropractor for some advice. The last thing you want to do is start an exercise regime which might cause you more problems.

I'd wager the back problems are linked to the hip. It certainly was/is part of my problem. My Chiropractor quickly spotted the stiffness in my right hip compared to my left. That surprised me, as my hips are about the only thing that have never given me a problem. I go 4 times a year now, and a large part of each session is spent on the hip, massaging it and trying to get it moving as it should. Ultimately I've been told I'll likely need a replacement at some stage (I'm 38 so that was quite a shock) although nothing is ever certain.

Problems with knees/back/hips are often linked to each other. Having a weak spot in one place can play havoc with other areas of the body without you even knowing.

It sounds like it might be wise to see my GP and arrange for an X-ray to see how the hip is doing. They said it would be arthritic within a year of the accident, which it is, but not so much I'm in great pain or anything. It must have deteriorated in 10 years! In the meantime I wondered about this
https://www.ossurwebshop.co.uk/braces/back-support...

[Richie Slow]

The Ferret said:

Problems with knees/back/hips are often linked to each other. Having a weak spot in one place can play havoc with other areas of the body without you even knowing.

Same for me. Suffered with back, arm and leg pains for years. Turned out to be the result of the worn out discs in my neck and the pinched nerves.

Now I have three vertebrae fused and no more grinding noises in my neck. And 95% of my pains disappeared too.

See a reputable chiropractor, they understand physiology so much better than the average GP. Many can do X-Ray's and will recommend good MRI practices if needed.

[steve2]

This is my back as of a week ago, I was a carpet fitter for 25 years and still am lifting heavy carpets and doing a fitting job every now and then when I have too.
Working with my phisio at the moment as apart from the degenerative problem there is a slipped disc in there as well

[steve2]

This is my back as of a week ago, I was a carpet fitter for 25 years and still am lifting heavy carpets and doing a fitting job every now and then when I have too.
Working with my phisio at the moment as apart from the degenerative problem there is a slipped disc in there as well

[Derek Smith]

I spent years treating my back pain myself. There're a lot of books out there that suggest they will show the way to cure it.

I went to a sports physio and was told that all she could do was relieve symptoms and give lifestyle advice. The relief was good and often lasted a few weeks.

After being bullied by someone who supposedly had it a lot worse than me I went to the person who cured him completely, a chiropractor. £350 later my back was worse than ever.

I went to my doctor on another matter - I failed a blood test - I mentioned my back pain. Within a couple of weeks I had an MRI scan. My problems were identified, a course of exercises prescribed, advice given regarding posture and such, and various thing were banned, such as cycling - that hurt more than my back - running, and carrying things.

I'll never be cured and there's a chance I might lose the use of my legs. However, I can control my pain and I have delayed the day when I might need a wheelchair. If I had not gone to see my doctor, I'm not sure how bad I'd be.

I wonder why I didn't go earlier to mention my problems to my doctors.

[Spudler]

OP, you sound just like me, 51 yo builder.

Back and hip problem for some years now.

Went through the usual doctor, consultant and physiotherapy.
MRI and x rays show arthritic hip and an irratited nerve in the back.

Ended up going to an 'alternative' acupuncturist who helped a great deal with the back. Magnesium baths are very good.

Regarding the hip, I had the injection and it was like I never had a problem, holy st I felt good.
Two weeks later it wore off, so much pain.
Before the injection I started taking natural remedies and had great effect. I stopped these when I had the injection.
As soon as it wore off I took the capsules straight away and within two weeks I was feeling 100 times better.
I've spent a small fortune over the last few years but the following I couldn't be without.
Cortaflex, Solgar 7, Boswallia, MSM and a bonmedico back pillow.

At 51 I'm trying to hold out a bit longer for the hip but I can't recomend the above enough.
Not cheap (Amazon best) but worth every single penny.