Taking Care Of Your Body:

mdshunk

There's a lot more awareness in this day and age with regard to jobsite safety. What there may not be as much awareness on are the little things that you do during your daily routine that break the body down, and cause you grief when you're older.

When I was working last week, a plumber (who was probably 20 years older than me) commended me for wearing knee pads. He commented that he wished he had worn them throughout his career, and that his knees might not be so bad now if he had. This got me to thinking.

I know that many of you guys are older, and have spent a great many years, even many decades practicing your tradecraft. What things have you done to your body, over and over again (perhaps without realizing it), that you're paying for now? What sorts of aches and pains do you have that you're fairly sure could have been avioded if you had only _________ (fill in the blank) every day?

Help out us younger guys, so that we might not have the daily aches and pains that you older fellas have to deal with.

rservices

does geting married 3 times count, the x is a pain in the ass,
I guess a condom would have been a good preventive measure

mdshunk

I was hoping more for job and trade related experiences. I have resolved that I'm gonna work until I'm dead. I'd just like to not be crippled first.

Tom R

Welp, - - I'm 50, - - and although I was born at a very early age ( ), - - I have absolutely no aches and pains to speak of, - - I think a lot of that has to do with 27 years of 'diversified' duties.

Seems like most of the guys with all the aches and pains are the 'niche' guys, - - especially the manual tradesmen, - - roofers, masons, etc., etc.

I know, I know, - - didn't answer your question, - - sorry about that, - - just 'filling in' till someone HURTIN' comes along!!

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Tom R

They got condoms that can prevent MARRIAGE now??, - - Man, am I out of the loop!!

Where do you wear 'em??, - - on your RING hand??

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bob the builder

I think my knees hurt now from jumping off of 4' ladders. Now I use the steps. It seems I have noticed many younger workers also jump off the ladders and I always comment on how they will regret it later in life. that and don't do roofs is all I learned I guess....

Bob

ron schenker

Take a break every hour for just a couple of minutes and stretch. Flexibility is very important. Avoid repetitive movements. Keep coffee down to no more than 2 cups per day. Knee pads are a must (good quality) especially on wood or concrete. If you're flatfooted get inserts. Try to avoid junk foods and drink as much water as comfortably possible. Get at least 7 hours sleep per night. See your doctor once a year. Think about using your left hand occasionly if you're hammering or cutting carpet etc. If you have the time, workout at the gym, it's also a great place to make some good contacts. Listen to what your body is telling you!

Teetorbilt

md, excellent topic! Many answers.

First and foremost, protect your back! If it's too heavy, F macho, get help!.

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Paul Burns

I'd have to agree with the back thing. Once it goes, that's it. It will bug/hurt for life. At least mine and everyone that I have ever talked to says the same.

I'd also TRY not to work too hard. I swear, I feel the same as I hear pro ball players complain about. Bad shoulders, probably from rolling ceilings, bad knees from not wanting to waste the time to go and get them, all around whipped, from working as hard and fast as I could for about 15 years.

For some reason, I just can't work slow. Even today with pains and all, if I work, I work as hard as I can. And I will start the day conciously telling myself to take it easy and pace myself. But after about 10 minutes the auto-pilot kicks in and I can't stop until I'm about to drop.

I'm not posting this to brag about how hard I worked. As a matter of fact, most of these days I take pride in not physically working at all, and as few hours as possible at that. But when it comes to tha physical stuff, away I go, and I really think it's a curse. At least it really does take a toll on the body after 40 or so. Actually, I think I started feeling it after 30.

My advice would be to wear all of the protective gear that is available and try to pace yourself. No it isn't. It would be to figure out to get out of the physical side all together and have other people earn your money for you. That's the best, IMO

Paul

slickshift

Don't forget the ear protection
It doesn't have to be un-believably loud to cause damage
Annoying will do it after a few hours
Tinnitus sucks
Ask me how I know
...but ask loudly and enunciate clearly

DecksEtc

Would sign language help?

slickshift

What?

K2

Well i'm 52 and never did anything by the book. No guards on saws, no goggles, no harnesses, no steel toes, no ear protection, drank beer at lunch time, (in the 70's), The thing that seems to have gotten me a little is no breathing protection. That freaking mold does a number on me and I notice a little sensitivity to dust, sawdust, asbetos, etc. I thought I had back problems but that seemed to be just muscles knoted up for years and years. That's what hapens when you think you are superman and don't stretch and drink water. <P>

I had problems with overheating in cold weather and then cooling and then sweating again. If I get a cold it for sure goes into a couple months of bronchitis but that is that breathing thing again.<P>

I think alot has to do with jeans. I wear Lee's and still have all my hair with just a couple of gray's. I can still woop up on most of the young guys but not all of them. I see alot of guys my age with serious problems that don't have anything to do with wearing kneepads or googles. <P>

Best advice is to make alot of money so when things go to chit you can sit around and play on your computer.<P>

Oh the eyesight going and that glare from headlights sux but i don't think there is much you can do about that.

jmic

I'm 51 doing construction on my own since 17, like Rob never did much as far as the safety issues are these days ie.. ear protection, safety glasses, breathing protection. Guess I lucked out, never had any job related accidents. Don't smoke , pretty much stopped drinking after 35 except for the occasional drink every now and then. Have occasional aches and pains in feet and back but just atribute that to being over 40. Also I could lose 35 lbs. which would help. I have a couple of buddies that smoke like chimneys and drink like they're trying to put a fire out, sadly to say they look old enough to be my father and 1 is 8 yrs younger. Poor decisions on thier part.

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Joe

Glasshousebltr

Advice on health?.....Well, I'm as healthy as.............!!!!!!!!!!!!########

Sorry about that, I had fallen, and couldn't get up.

Bob

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Bob

K2

Speaking of falling. In my opinion, learning to fall/learning to land, is safer than all those harness contraptions. Getting slammed into the mat by a 250 lb. Olimpic Judo player is about the same force as falling 20 ft. Judo teaches you to relax, distribute the force across your body, and protect your head. 3 or 4 weeks with some good Judo instructors would do the trick but you might get hooked like I did. I'm reasonably certain that Judo training save me a few trips to the hospital over my construction years. Also helps when you slip on the ice in the alley at home.<P>

Driving nails at eye level to hang coats,etc. on. We had to send a guy to the hospital with the nail still sticking out of his eye when he ran into one of those coat hangers. <P>

Guys clowning around. Throw them off the job right away.

Glasshousebltr

From what I've seen, ya no longer need a saw either.

Bob

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Bob

K2

That's Karate.

nadonailer

Ditto to Ron, Rob & JMIC... I'm 52, been doing this since 17 (Gawd I'm old!)
My ailment list:
Bad knees
Bad back
Hearing kinda bad (could be partially due to all that rock n' roll though)
Bad tendonitis in right elbow
Allergies (Mold and chemicals)

My recommendations:
Wear kneepads (I still don't half the time - bad habit!)
Wear back brace and get help lifting - most of the guys I know have bad backs, and when they really go, it'll put ya down quick!
Earplugs and goggles
Switch hands, use nailgun as much as possible
Wear mask when needed

Having said that, I'm still in fair shape, work out every day, take karate, swim a lot, eat really well, regular drinks at night , so I can't complain too much. But if you want to do it right, take the advice from us old messed up guys!

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TomU

Saw the Doctor just the other day.

Said I was in great shape for an 80 year old.

Too bad I'm just shy of 50.

Ankles, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders...creaks, pops, cracks... sounds like a junior high school percussion section warming up, without the rhythm.

Like Paul...just keep right on pushing.

TomU