What do you guys do about your backs?

Q

qbmurderer13

New member
Hey guys, i've recently started doing paint corrections for a couple of people. Did 2 cars straight this weekend and my back is aching. Mainly from doing lower panels or the really far parts of the hood. Do you guys have certain tips to prevent this? I know some people here detail for 10 hours each a day and im guessing you guys are alright. What about those lifting belts that truck unloaders use. Can you guys help me out? Thanks!
 
Get knee pads and a throw down blanket. Try to put your body in positions with those tools that do not strain your back as much. A stool is also very nice (adjustable, with rollers).
 
I'm relatively young so I'm fine most of the time. I do have a tendency to get super comfortable when I do things like no shoes, sit down, etc. If I ever want to sit on a proper chair, I have a Creeper that I use. Works pretty well IMO :)
 
Hell im 19 and having back problems. Ive tried sitting down and kneeling and I usually do when doing lower panels. Maybe its just the up and downs and what nots.
 
I'm using an Airjack to lift cars up to comfortable heights. It can lift 3 tons, it's soft, so it won't damage the undercoating etc. A simple scissor lift in a shop is excellent too.



Airjack.jpg
 
I pay a lot of attention to maintaining good posture and reducing undue stress on my joints and back. I use a rolling seat for side panels and also a thick exercise pad for ground level work.



I also work out 60-90 minutes a day, every day, at the gym. This has done more for me than anything else I've tried. I joined a nearby LA fitness center and for $35 a month I have unlimited access to a 45,000 sq. ft. center with around 250 various machines, sauna, jacuzzi and an olympic sized swimming pool.



Tylenol might help short term but if you plan on doing detailing on a daily basis you need to build up some muscle and reduce joint stress. I've been detailing for 46 years and can tell you that you can't rely on pain killers to make up for your bodies deficiencies for long without causing permanent damage.
 
Watch how you bend and get a rolling stool. Regardless, protect your back because small damage at a young age can become big problems at 40.
 
im 49yrs old.. if i have to work on a low car i lie down flat next to the car and usually use the UDM for the low low parts. :xyxthumbs
 
Having broke my back after getting hit by a car at my regular job several years ago, I can definitely relate to what you are talking about. I use an round adjustable mechanics chair that I bought from Sears. It was $50 and has a tray on the bottom which is nice for keeping your supplies on that you are using for that particular vehicle and it is on wheels. I like it because I can move my body in unison with the rotary or the PC just by wheeling. For the real low parts, I use a creeper to wheel back and forth on...and for the top parts I don't have a problem with them being 6'5". My back still gets a little stiff, but no where near what it did before the chair and the creeper.
 
Situps are terrible for your lower back. The best way to help your lower back is to strengthen it, but I don't think we need to start writing out gym routines here.



Invest in a foam roller. It's like giving yourself a deep tissue massage. You can also roll your bodyweight on a tennis ball which hurts like hell but is also very effective. Google some articles on this and you'll see what I'm talking about.



To ease the pain when detailing, get a cart/stool to roll around on so you're not bending down all the time. Or hire an assistant. :)
 
I have a type of chair that you see in offices the roll behind the desk, I think they are called secretary's chairs?. I took the back off and when doing the hood and trunk I have the seat at the highest position. When doing the front sides and rear of my car, I use a floor jack and four jack stands and lift my car about 12-18 inches. Then I can lower the chair to its lowest position and do the upper half of the side panels without bending over and I can sit on the ground to do the lower have without bending over.
 
I use a stool on wheels and that works pretty well.

Ive thought about getting one of those yoga mats to sit/lay on this summer.
 
Odd that this would be my first post here...but whatever.



Deadlifts and/or reverse hypers and/or back extensions. Strengthen your back to balance your core.



My back never feels better than when I'm doing heavy deadlifts and I've had lower back issues for a long time.
 
jdoria said:
1. Sit ups

2. Stretch out
Click to expand...



I agree! Alot of strecthing. The more you do it the more your muscles will adapt and should not be as much of a problem. If you only do correction once in awhile then expect to be sore afterwards. In that case advil or Aleve helps and a Professional Massage! LOL!
 
stretching only does so much...

situps, crunches, daily use, and CORE training will help out a lot.



I am currently looking for a good CORE training exercise workout to do at home when I am too lazy to get to the gym, or when I dont have time to drive over to the gym.
 
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