Detailing taking a toll on your body

M

mini1

New member
After quite a few years, detailing has begun to take a toll on my body. I have had two severe muscle pulls/strains in my back in the last 6 months, as I've been busier then ever, often doing large vehicles back-to-back. I don't know how to get around this. Interiors require me to bent over about 80% of the time and some exteriors are no better. I had to take a week off this month thanks to severe back pain.... I couldn't even bend over without being in severe pain!



What do you all do to prevent problems?
 
I've never really had any problems. :nixweiss:



For the last 10-11 years I've been skating regularly and road biking (mostly road bike since 2007) so I think that helps.



What you might want to do is look into a workout routine that will strengthen your back and your abdominals.
 
maybe try a back brace...

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I know the feeling.25 years and it takes a toll.I do back exercises ,i see on you tube ,and it helps.I also have products that eliminate alot of my labor.Chiropractor has helped as well.I will not do yachts any more or anything that i feel will over exert myself.Hard to turn it away but i will.
 
i have 3 herniated discs in my lower back and not a day goes by i'm not in pain. it finally has been so bad i sought out a dr, she then referred me to an ortho who is going to do an mri to see how bad it really is. i can take 5-750mg vicoden and still be in pain, i finally switched over to flexeril but those leave me feeling groggy and out of it. i hate doing anything bigger than a tahoe and on days i have multiple cars i take extra help when before i could manage.



dr says: well try to take it easy and not be bent over so much or lift anything, i told her thats impossible as some days i spend 5-6 hours in weird positions to polish cars. she said not good. i turned 42 yesterday and my back feels like i'm 62! everything else is great but the back
 
I just keep in shape. I have a left knee replacement and a surgically repaired right knee... I run, workout and still play hockey (what caused my knee problems). Like scottwax said, create a routine that focuses on your core strength.
 
mini1 said:
After quite a few years, detailing has begun to take a toll on my body. I have had two severe muscle pulls/strains in my back in the last 6 months, as I've been busier then ever, often doing large vehicles back-to-back. I don't know how to get around this. Interiors require me to bent over about 80% of the time and some exteriors are no better. I had to take a week off this month thanks to severe back pain.... I couldn't even bend over without being in severe pain!



What do you all do to prevent problems?
Click to expand...



My lower back aches very so often and the thing that helps me is swimming. I go to the gym just about every other day, and usually do 20-30 laps and not only do you have a cardio workout, it works many muscles all around your entire body. it's the best kind of exercize IMO...
 
This is something I touched on in a different thread, what happens when you're a one-person-show and you get physically injured and can't work like you used to. I have my fair share of health issues as well, and there's no way I could do anything more than 1 vehicle a day. Employees REALLY help out in these circumstances.
 
Maker's Mark usually helps me deal with it... ;)







In all seriousness, though... a LOT of stretching. Before, during, and after. I'm kind of like a freight train when I work. Once I start, I can't stop until it's "done." And considering most of my days are upwards of 11-14 hours, I've had to do a lot of stretching. My body is all kinds of beat up and haggard from 15 years in the restaurant industry... but detailing is more of a "Zen" activity than pumping out food for 10+ hours. Honestly, the hardest part I've had to learn how to do, was to relax. Days off aren't spent running around doing thousands of errands. I sleep till noon, and generally have the quintessential "lazy sunday," even if it's on a wednesday.
 
I wear out at 11 straight hours of correction work. Sure, I can keep going, but I make the choice to stop so that I can nail the next day down with another 11 hours instead of not wanting to get out of bed. You have to know your body and know when to call it a day.
 
I have Carpal Tunnel and tendonitis in my shoulder but neither are from detailing but the bothersome symptoms act up when I've been busting it for a couple of days. I can only go full blast(2+details) 2 days at a time. Take it easy for a day(just washes) and then get to it again.
 
Detail very physical you have to remember to take break to drink water and to eat small meal as you work. I work sometime in summer and if I dont remember to drink I have headache and muscle so for 2 days after. people think oh washing cars and polishing is fun, it VERY hard on back and shoulder.
 
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