Shore Ortho Healthy Tips: Spring Cleaning

As the temperature warms people are energized to do some spring cleaning. But house cleaning can be very hard on muscles and the skeletal structure! 
Keep yourself injury-free and pain-free by following these simple rules – never twist, rotate or overextend your back, neck and shoulders.
Vacuuming: Twisting and turning movements put increased compression on the spine and neck. To avoid problems, keep the machine close to the front center part of your body and push the vacuum in front of you while walking in a long line and then pull back using the same motion. Never push and pull the handle back and forth with short strokes.
Vinyl and Tile Floors: Mopping is recommended instead of scrubbing on your knees. Mop small segments in front of you, pushing forward and then backward without leaning forward. The key is to keep the mop in front of you while standing with your back straight.
Windows: Keep your feet level on the ground (or ladder/step stool) and you’re back straight. Your head should be in a straightforward position, not tilted back or upward for a long period of time. To reduce your chances of falling, never climb on furniture or windowsills to clean windows.
Bathtub: Kneeling outside the tub and then bending and stretching forward is not recommended.  Instead, stand outside the tub with your spine in a straight position and use a mop to clean tile walls and the tub. If you need to really scrub, climb in the tub and bend at the knees, not at the waist.
You’ll never avoid a few achy muscles from time-to-time, but following these simple tips can help make spring cleaning safe and void of mishaps.
For more information, contact Shore Orthopaedic and NovaCare Rehabilitation at (609) 927-1991 or visit shoreorthodocs.com.