AutowerxDetailing
New member
- Apr 10, 2012
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any posture tips to prevent a sore back?
- Thread starter Matt@Revive
- Start date
Instead of bending over when working on a panel, I will spread my feet far apart to lower my body so that I don't need to bend over as much. I sit on a stool as much as possible. I try to move my body back and forth in a swaying motion more than moving my arms and shoulders. Less arm motion makes it easier to keep the pad flat too.
I will hang upside down from a chin up bar to stretch out my spine whenever I take break and that always helps.
I will hang upside down from a chin up bar to stretch out my spine whenever I take break and that always helps.
ShaunD
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- Nov 19, 2010
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Just to clarify that the OP's issue is needing to reach out over horizontal panels. So, a lift nor a stool are really going to help with this issue. The are great tools but not appropriate to resolve the issue.
Not to take away from Dbailey but the issue with spreading your legs to reach the panel is that you can start causing your body to have to compensate in was it's not used to, and can end up straining the lower back even more because you aren't bio-mechanically able to engage your hips and hamstrings efficiently. Then hanging to stretch the back can strain your shoulders that are already fatigued from support the polisher. So just need to be careful as not to cause more injury to a fatigued body or to an area like your shoulders that may already have an issue like a rotator cuff injury. Sorry if I'm playing devil's advocate too much, just trying make people aware of the caution that needs to be taken. The best remedy is to perform exercises that help strengthen your body for these awkward positions so you are having to compensate and possibly causing further issues.
Not to take away from Dbailey but the issue with spreading your legs to reach the panel is that you can start causing your body to have to compensate in was it's not used to, and can end up straining the lower back even more because you aren't bio-mechanically able to engage your hips and hamstrings efficiently. Then hanging to stretch the back can strain your shoulders that are already fatigued from support the polisher. So just need to be careful as not to cause more injury to a fatigued body or to an area like your shoulders that may already have an issue like a rotator cuff injury. Sorry if I'm playing devil's advocate too much, just trying make people aware of the caution that needs to be taken. The best remedy is to perform exercises that help strengthen your body for these awkward positions so you are having to compensate and possibly causing further issues.
swanicyouth
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- Mar 3, 2011
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Horizontal panels? A Rupes helps if your already not using one. The long handle and the fact you don't have to put much pressure on the head means less strain on your back and less stooping over. Try reaching in a middle of a hood with a stubby PC like polisher and keeping 15 lbs of downward force on the head and compare it to holding a Rupes by the tail.
ShaunD
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- Nov 19, 2010
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That is a great point that is probably not realized, or forgotten. Another reason to invest in a RUPES and have multiple tools in your arsenal for different jobs and requirements.
builthatch
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- May 25, 2008
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i found the thing i was talking about that allows you to lay out over horizontal panels -
Elevated Creeper | Overhead Creeper | Nomad Manufacturing
Elevated Creeper | Overhead Creeper | Nomad Manufacturing
Matt@Revive
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- Jul 27, 2014
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- Thread starter
- #27
I do have a Rupes, I noticed a huge reduction in arm and hand fatigue.
allenk4
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- Mar 12, 2013
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i found the thing i was talking about that allows you to lay out over horizontal panels -
Elevated Creeper | Overhead Creeper | Nomad Manufacturing
That would not be worth the effort for me
Looks dangerous
Imagine climbing up that thing and laying down with a polisher in one hand, while managing the cord, a bottle of polish and MF
I would stand in the door jambs way before I would scale that contraption
builthatch
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- May 25, 2008
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it's not dangerous. you don't need to bring the polish and MF with you and there is a thing that sticks out from the side that can be used to keep the cord elevated so it can go across your back and away from the car. it's not any harder to get up and down that thing than getting up and down a ladder if you to go re-apply polish or get your MF. it's VERY sturdy in person. if you go to SEMA next year, check it out. then again i don't have any back problems, i'm 340 lbs and tall, but if i were having back issues, were lighter/smaller and needed to constantly work on high flats professionally, i'd look into it.
blown03
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- Mar 14, 2013
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i found the thing i was talking about that allows you to lay out over horizontal panels -
Elevated Creeper | Overhead Creeper | Nomad Manufacturing
Man that thing is cool ! I often thought about building something you could drive the car under lol , I guess being a Carpenter haven built a gazillion miles of Scaffold I always seem to try to incorporate Carpentry lol. I feel your pain with those panels haven several herniated discs & a broken vertebrae , If I did corrections for a living I'd have to try one of these stands , but doors open does help as well as strengthening core helps tremendously ... I want one of those stands tho lol
Tato
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- Nov 27, 2013
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3 pages of great advice was accomplished, seems like most in here are aware of good health care practices, nice to see!
I've worked most of my life as a physical therapist (still am, but now I rehabilitate cars
), I hesitated being the first in here to chime in because I don't feel like 'prescribing' virtually with that much distance.
With that in mind, I'd like to keep all my directions bellow as very general since it's wise to be evaluated by a professional before taking any measure towards your health.
In order to add to what has been said, I felt like I've missed the word Breathing. Proper breathing during physical activities is key for body positioning without generating too much stress on structures.
Abdominal breathing (Diaphragmatic breathing) is something we born doing correctly but as the time passes by (due diverse reasoning) we stop doing correctly without compensations acquired, mostly postural but also cardiovascular conditioning related.
I believe nowadays one is capable of learning simple breathing exercises through internet by it's own that will be a game changer not only in detailing but for general wellbeing.
While working, try to avoid holding your breath (Valsalva maneuver) like you're doing a medical exam, but exhale properly with the techniques learnt above.
It's always best to seek professional evaluation first because simple directions can not fit into your actual conditioning and can result in poorly ineffective results.
Keyword in this thread seems to be 'Core' conditioning, although it's very important and definitively should be done, I dislike this 'centralization of body' kind of approach.
Simply, try to tie your shoe without bending your knees or compensating with trunk. Independently of any core conditioning you may have, lower limbs proper strength and stretch (common to be a WEAK point in male subjects) are as important.
Another simple example, when you hold the polisher away from your body may 'look like you're hanging it with your arm and shoulder joint muscles', but you need as much upper / middle back scapulary muscles like rhomboids and trapezius also with serratus anterior (a muscle from ribs to inner scapulae). A severe deficit on this 'synergy' can be easily worked out with 'Push ups! and Pull ups!, true! How are you doing, soldier?
Core and lower limb both has the same importance in example bellow, not more, not less.
For this approach to reach any effectiveness a true professional looking and instructing what you're doing is necessary.
At least in Brazil, nowadays there are many people trained to work with methods like 'Pilates, RPG', and those people are generally what you'll need to be guided into proper posture, core, breathing, and whole body in one single 'method'.
It's something I'd not recommend doing for life (for the general standard health adult), but everyone should try at least 6-8 sections in life to better understand your most precious belong, your body.
I'm also one that discourage 'braces' like a postural belt, but depending on situation it may have it's use, don't need to 'crucify' the thing!
Again, just some thoughts, and feel free to ask what needed.
Keep in mind, like in detailing, you may get what you pay for. I'd definitively avoid cheap professional (they may instill swirls on you!).
Kind Regards.
I've worked most of my life as a physical therapist (still am, but now I rehabilitate cars
), I hesitated being the first in here to chime in because I don't feel like 'prescribing' virtually with that much distance. With that in mind, I'd like to keep all my directions bellow as very general since it's wise to be evaluated by a professional before taking any measure towards your health.
In order to add to what has been said, I felt like I've missed the word Breathing. Proper breathing during physical activities is key for body positioning without generating too much stress on structures.
Abdominal breathing (Diaphragmatic breathing) is something we born doing correctly but as the time passes by (due diverse reasoning) we stop doing correctly without compensations acquired, mostly postural but also cardiovascular conditioning related.
I believe nowadays one is capable of learning simple breathing exercises through internet by it's own that will be a game changer not only in detailing but for general wellbeing.
While working, try to avoid holding your breath (Valsalva maneuver) like you're doing a medical exam, but exhale properly with the techniques learnt above.
It's always best to seek professional evaluation first because simple directions can not fit into your actual conditioning and can result in poorly ineffective results.
Keyword in this thread seems to be 'Core' conditioning, although it's very important and definitively should be done, I dislike this 'centralization of body' kind of approach.
Simply, try to tie your shoe without bending your knees or compensating with trunk. Independently of any core conditioning you may have, lower limbs proper strength and stretch (common to be a WEAK point in male subjects) are as important.
Another simple example, when you hold the polisher away from your body may 'look like you're hanging it with your arm and shoulder joint muscles', but you need as much upper / middle back scapulary muscles like rhomboids and trapezius also with serratus anterior (a muscle from ribs to inner scapulae). A severe deficit on this 'synergy' can be easily worked out with 'Push ups! and Pull ups!, true! How are you doing, soldier?
Core and lower limb both has the same importance in example bellow, not more, not less.
For this approach to reach any effectiveness a true professional looking and instructing what you're doing is necessary.
At least in Brazil, nowadays there are many people trained to work with methods like 'Pilates, RPG', and those people are generally what you'll need to be guided into proper posture, core, breathing, and whole body in one single 'method'.
It's something I'd not recommend doing for life (for the general standard health adult), but everyone should try at least 6-8 sections in life to better understand your most precious belong, your body.
I'm also one that discourage 'braces' like a postural belt, but depending on situation it may have it's use, don't need to 'crucify' the thing!
Again, just some thoughts, and feel free to ask what needed.
Keep in mind, like in detailing, you may get what you pay for. I'd definitively avoid cheap professional (they may instill swirls on you!).
Kind Regards.