Monday, January 27, 2014

Bend at the Hips, People!


Did you ever notice when you're injured that everything you need to go about everyday life is in the exact position you need to NOT get into?  Eggs for breakfast, bottom shelf of the 'fridge. Washing machine? Down the flight of stairs? Dish detergent when you run out doing dinner dishes? Under the sink. Lunch boxes to pack for school? On the bottom shelf in the kitchen.  I could go on, but you get the idea.

That being said, let me just say I was proud. I was in that driveway on Saturday afternoon, shoveling to beat the band. I felt like a snow plow, or even better, the shoveling queen.  I was bending over at the waist, lifting tons of snow, and twisting to throw it out of the driveway.  That big snow bank piling up was proof of my awesome effort, until it happened.  You know, the 'ohhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooooo, now I've gone and done it,' moment, where you know you've pulled your back.  But I was only half way done w/the driveway, and the rest had to be done.  So I finished.  Much slower, and a lot more carefully...but I finished.

And there are things to do in the house. The kids will help, willingly, but this weekend there was only one in the house, and he's 6. ;)  He did help, and cheerfully so, but there's only so much you can do when you're in Kindergarten.

Today, Monday, I'm really feeling it.  I felt like a penguin hobbling out of bed this morning, and a crow walking around.  Chest pushed out in one direction, rear end in the other, trying to straighten that back and walk tall.  Just a ridiculous sight. Go ahead and laugh or cringe at the visual, I've done both.

And so I leave you with some very precious Monday morning advice:  If you're shoveling snow this season (or any season), bend at the hips, people, and don't lift, twist, and throw.  Believe you me, your back will thank you.

Thankfully, muscle strains are temporary, and this too, shall pass (quickly, I hope). :)

95 comments:

  1. This is something I have to tell myself and in squatting I hear all that junk going on in my knees. Geez, is there a way to reverse this getting older stuff where things don't work so good? ;-) I have never in my life had to shovel snow, but I can relate to muscle strains.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't had to shovel for years but I totally feel for you Rosey... I cringed... I've had this pain before... get better soon..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh no!!! Make sure you put a heating pad on it and rest as much as you can! None of us moms hat time for that :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin. Good luck to Chris in getting on the Finance Committee in your town!

      Delete
  4. Sorry about the strain Rosey. I pray it passes quickly too, I know what back pain is like, not funny...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!! I'm glad it's just temporary, no denying that one. :)

      Delete
  5. I have sciatica and my husband won't eve let me near the shoveling this time of the year and my chiropractor thanks him for that. Seriously, hope your back is feeling better, but in case, I totally recommend a chiropractor has worked wonders for me, Rosey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Janine. My SIL swears by her chiropractor too!

      I usually handle the shoveling fine, I was just going about it all wrong, and thought I was invincible. ;)

      I'm sorry to hear about the Sciatica. :(

      Delete
  6. Bend, lift, twist and throw..... sounds like you're doing a new Latin dance. Ha. Join the crowd. Everything here is a sheet of ice under new fluffy snow. I fell, along with most everyone else and my shoulder is hurting. All the household chores we usually zip through, suddenly takes on a new painful meaning, doesn't it?
    Hope you recover soon .... sore backs are a bugger/. Did you take arnica?
    Love and peace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've got that fluffy snow too. I stepped outside this morning in tennis shoes and promptly got very wet pajamas. The snow was half way up my calves!

      I'm sorry you fell!! I havne't heard of Arnica. Headed to Google in a sec. to look it up. :)

      Hope your shoulder feels better ASAP.

      Delete
  7. I've done this many a time. I've found that if you drop everything the moment you feel it and ice it aggressively, it makes a huge difference. I've even iced while driving in the car!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've got well water, so not a drop of ice in the house (crazy, I know). :) I do have an ice block though, and totally willing to give that a try. Thanks for the share. :)

      Delete
  8. Please feel better soon. Heat wraps help as well. I did this two winters ago - not a fun pain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Def. not fun. Thanks for the heat wrap FYI. :)

      Delete
  9. Oh no! I hope it gets better really soon! Maybe a long steaming hot bath will help. Oh and I read that warming up fresh ginger actually helps just as well as pain meds.

    I don't throw my back out, or haven't up until this point of time. My husband on the other hand has often. :( He goes to the Chiropractor when he does. I have faith they can do something for the short term. It's when they try and get you in for continued visits that I'm not sure about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never been, but I know a lot of people do love them!

      Delete
  10. I am so so sorry. Its tough. Back aches are killer. But, now no more shovelling Yay to that, right? LOL

    Get better soon, Rosey.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I didn't have to shovel. If I don't, I won't get out of the driveway, we've got at least 5 or 6 inches sitting out there.

      Thanks for the well wishes, Z. :)

      Delete
  11. Ugg back pain sucks a ton, live with it here, so know the walking like a crow position all to well haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally sorry to hear it. It's absolutely ridiculous trying to stand and not being able to...makes you feel a lot older than you are, that's fer sure, sonny. ;)

      Delete
  12. Feel better soon. I've been there more than once. You just need your back to do everything.

    Have a pain free day. ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do need it for lots of stuff, and you can bet I'll remember that when I'm shoveling again. ;)

      Delete
  13. Ouch Rosey! Get some hot packs on it too.

    I know what you mean about everything being out of reach when you want to reach them and must not/ cannot.

    I walk like you each month when I have my period and get those horrible pains.

    Hope you heal quickly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Colette. It's been a couple of days here, I'm guessing it's going to be healing up really soon! Knock on wood. ;)

      Delete
  14. awww..rosey..i hope you feel better ☺
    hugs♥
    rea

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh no!!! Get feeling better soon. My bro-in-law just had back surgery and his surgeon said he has two pieces of advice. 1- hire movers 2-buy a snowblower. I guess moving and shoveling snow are the two main reasons he sees people for surgery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two of the times I totally feel the need to over-extend myself too. Bugger of it is we HAVE a snowblower. I'm just a silly girl. :)

      Delete
  16. :( Feel better soon sweet friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jen. I just read your ankle's hurt a bit, and I hope that was just a temporary thing. Glad you finished your race though, that's awesome!

      Delete
  17. Ahhh! I can so relate. Last time I shoveled snow, it was my neck and left shoulder. Hopefully a little ibuprofen and rest with take care of your aches. As far as the aches and pains go, I can honestly say, it sucks to get old! :) Hope you are pain-free soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No arguments from me, I surely do feel my age from time to time. :)

      Delete
  18. Ouch! I hope your pain goes away quickly. My hubby won't let me shovel snow, he probably knows I'd mess up something!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I wasn't shoveling, hubby'd have a heck of a time getting in the driveway. It just poured snow on Saturday, last night, and it's snowing again now. :) I've got a happy little kid in the house (warming up from just being out in the snow). The big kids have all outgrown their love of snow. ;)

      Delete
  19. oh ugh - back pain - the worst! I hope you are feeling better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! The great thing about back pulls is as awful as they are at the time, they do heal up pretty fast (knock on wood). It's already way better than it was, I'm very happy to say. :)

      Delete
  20. "I felt like a penguin hobbling out of bed"
    LOL Sorry but I couldn't stop my smile
    Seriously now - I now it's very painful, and I do hope you're feeling much better now!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, I ache along with you. Take backs seriously, people. They will pay you back if you don't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, they've def. got a good reminder system in place, I'm with you on that one. :)

      Delete
  22. Coming from a nurse who has injured her back to the point of not being able to work, this is a very relevant topic. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is terrible. I hope you feel better soon!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin. I could have used some more rest than I took, but it's almost better now, just the same. :)

      Delete
  24. Ouch, hope all is well now! We were just told it's going to snow tomorrow in South Carolina and this post made me realize I don't even own a shovel. Oops!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's crazy how far south the snow and cold have gone this year.

      Delete
  25. OMG this is so true. I always have to remember that because the next day my back will pay. I notice the older I get the tougher it is shoveling. We've had so much snow that I'm so over winter! They said this is the snowiest January on record.
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have gotten our fair share of snow here lately, that's for absolute sure.

      Delete
  26. get well soon! i hope you feel better asap

    ReplyDelete
  27. Shoveling snow is one of the worst activities ever

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind it too much, if I'm not pulling my back out. ;)

      Delete
  28. Snow blowers are the best, easy on the back

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's even better advice than bending at the hips. :)

      Delete
  29. I pulled my back last week and it was horrible! I hope your back feels better :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine is almost all better. I hope yours is too!!

      Delete
  30. My husband is always in pain after shoveling. Thnaks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry to hear it. :( Maybe Santa will bring him a snowblower next year. :)

      Delete
  31. I have a bad back so I know your pain.Hopefully you have not strained it too badly and it will heal quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for the advice, I think you should try some Icy Hot for your back, and I hope you feel better soon. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, it's almost back to normal now, and hurrah for it! Def. should get some Icy Hot to keep on hand, just in case!!

      Delete
  33. Oh, man! I'm sorry you are in pain today. Thankfully my hubby wised up and bought a snow blower a few years back. I was always in pain from all the snow shoveling. I hope you heal quickly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have one too, but I've never used it so I'm intimidated by it. Isn't that silly???

      Delete
  34. oh no!! I hope your back gets better. Rest more and don't aggravate it!

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I'm almost all better today (hurrah!). :)

      Delete
  35. I hate it when that happens! Wish you could have stayed in bed until the muscles stopped aching. Hopefully you're feeling better by now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, can you imagine being able to actually rest when hurt? ;)

      I am feeling good now, thank you!!

      Delete
  36. Well, I thank you for the advice. I am very, very sorry that it happened at your lovely expense, though! Feel better, mama! I'm thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. That does not sound like fun. I am sorry to hear about the pain. I hope it goes away soon.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I know exactly how you feel because I'm the same way after leg day.

    You never realize how many stupid little muscles are in your legs until you've ruined them all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, I shouldn't laugh, I know leg day stinks for you from reading your posts. You're right too, you def. appreciate being not hurt when you're hurt. ;)

      Delete
  39. I used to do medical billing for a living. You have no idea how many people wound up going for an ambulance ride because they hurt themselves shoveling snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't doubt it for a second, that pull comes fast and unexpected!

      Delete
  40. Oh no! Definitely no fun! I hope your back is feeling better today :-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. So glad I live in Florida! I would love to visit snow not shovel it! My kids would love to live in it though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My kids love the snow too, well the youngest ones do anyway. :)

      Delete
  42. It is funny that you post this, not so funny that you hurt yourself. I just pulled my back out this morning & can barely move. I have a heating pad behind me as we speak.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm better today and I hope you are too!! If not yet, very soon! Hurrah for heating pads, I'd have loved to have one. I'm going to put it on the shopping list so I have one just in case.

      Delete
  43. Yikes! I bet you are in a lot of pain right now. When you injure your back it's like your whole body hurts! And everything you need to do in life requires moving your back, so everyday tasks are impossible (like you mentioned!). I hope you feel better soon. And thanks for reminding others the proper form for shoveling snow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I'd have remembered to shovel properly just before I went out. An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure, and all that... :)

      Thanks for the well wishes, I'm actually feeling good today! :)

      Delete
  44. Well today is Tuesday so I hope your back feels a little better now! I haven't had to shovel snow that much this year, but for the next snow fall I will remember your advice. Take care of that back! Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am better today, thank you! I hope we don't have to shovel much next year. :)

      Delete
  45. I was always preaching this to my husband when we lived up north. Bend bend..I would keep saying...sometimes Tarzan wouldn't listen♥ Hope you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tarzan should always listen to Jane!! I feel good today. Thank you!!

      Delete
  46. oh Rosey, you poor thing, I hope you are feeling much better now xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do feel better, thank you!! The tip for you would be to bend at the hips to shovel that beach sand, lolol :)

      Delete
  47. OH NO
    Hope you are feeling better now...
    i can only imagine...
    HUGS

    ReplyDelete
  48. My back is better. Thank you, Noelle. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. I know how you feel, I pulled something in my back just by bending over and brushing the underside of my hair. I literally went to the ground because I could not stand in the upright position and army crawled all the way to my room to try and get in bed to straighten it out. Oh man that was so painful!! took a week or two to feel better.

    ReplyDelete

Your comment is awaiting moderation. Thank you for your visit!