Simple Spring-Cleaning Tips to Help Avoid Aggravating Your Chronic Pain
It’s that time of year again – time to start thinking about spring cleaning! While almost everyone groans at that thought, we realize that it’s an even bigger challenge for those who live with a chronic pain condition. That’s why today our Carolina pain consultants will be sharing a few tips on pain-free spring-cleaning techniques. Read on to learn more for yourself or a loved one who may benefit from a little help this spring.
Typical Spring-Cleaning Pain Stressors
While each person’s chronic pain is unique, there are several activities or positions that are more likely than others to cause flair ups. That means, regardless of whether you live with chronic lower back pain, migraines or fibromyalgia, the following types of motions will be wise to reduce or avoid:
Hunching over lower surfaces, such as when doing dishes in the sink
Heavy lifting without utilizing proper body mechanics
Bending and twisting in the same motion
Reaching for something that requires an awkward body position, like dusting a ceiling fan or moving books on a high shelf
Repetitive motions, especially those involving joints that already experience pain and/or inflammation
We know that list sounds like it will rule out all the cleaning tasks you have planned. However, there are alternate ways to accomplish the same tasks. Next, we will walk you through a few tips that will give you insight on a new, less painful approach.
Pace Yourself
In a recent study, it was discovered that as many as 1/4 of occupational injuries were related to haste. This same truth can be applied to tasks done at home – working faster isn’t always smarter. It’s essential to pace yourself as you work through your spring cleaning to-do's.
Begin with organizing your list in order of most important to least important. That way, if you find you only have energy for one or two tasks a day, you know which one(s) to direct your efforts at. Take frequent breaks for snacks, water and even a short nap. You may not get it all done in one day or even one week. However, the benefits of completing your cleaning without injury or extra pain far outweigh the disadvantages of a slower pace.
Get Help
Spring cleaning is one of those areas where we encourage you to consider finding helpers to join you. Work divided is much more easily conquered. We know not everyone has a group of ready, willing and able individuals up to the challenge, so here are some suggestions for finding helpers:
Check out community bulletin board postings
Hire a cleaning person or crew
Inquire at your local church or community center about programs that may offer help
Ask family or friends
Mention your need at a local high school for any students wanting volunteer hours that would be beneficial on their college application
Always remember – you are not in this alone. Your care team is also here to help. We highly recommend patients schedule a checkup with their Carolina pain consultants before beginning spring cleaning tasks. He or she will be able to help you come up with a specialized approach that’s created with your pain in mind.
Let Your Tools Do the “Heavy Lifting”
Buy high-quality products and machines that will reduce the amount and intensity of work associated with spring cleaning. Read Consumer Report’s reviews on different cleaning products and cleaning accessories to find out which ones offer more long-lasting results with less effort. This is one of those areas where a little bit of research and a few more dollars may end up making your life a whole lot easier and less painful.
Some of your household appliances and tools can do much more than most people give them credit for, too. Consider the following:
Wash knickknacks in the dishwasher instead of dusting them
Throw all your curtains and hand towels in the washing machine
Textiles that need dusting can be put in the dryer on a no-heat setting for 20 minutes with a damp cloth
Purchase a higher quality furnace filter so that there’s less dust accumulation
Use your leaf blower to clean out the garage instead of sweeping
Rutherfordton NC Pain Management
At Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we’re invested in your sustained relief from pain. Our treatment plans are minimally invasive and conservative. We also provide, as a part of our team, psychologists who offer counseling and education to assist you in reaching your goal for an optimal life! Contact us today to schedule your first visit with us at Rutherfordton or any one of our 14 convenient North Carolina clinic locations.