5 Cleaning Tips From Chiropractors

By Brandi Swieter

Cleaning can take a toll on the body, so people need to be aware of how to do it safely. Just a few wrong moves can put a person out of commission for a while, causing strain and pain to set in. With a few cleaning tips straight from expert chiropractors, any cleaners can make a safer job of the task.

Stretch Before Cleaning

Just as with any activity, people need to be sure they stretch their bodies before tackling cleaning up around the house. The muscles are getting used and overworked, so having a stretched and relaxed body is the best way to prevent fatigue and injury. A few simple stretches will do, or people could even go for a short walk beforehand to get the blood flowing.

Rest Between Chores

Never get all cleaning done in just a couple of hours. Instead, make a day of it and be sure to get plenty of rest between each chore. The body can start to ache if it’s pushed to doing too much. Regular breaks will ensure there is adequate time to recover before moving onto the next task.

Lunge While Vacuuming

Lunges have the knees moving forward while still keeping the back upright. This is the best move to do while vacuuming, as it prevents people from bending forward and reaching with their arms to push the machine. This causes back pain to set in easily, and should be avoided whenever possible. Lunging forward slightly and using the hips and shoulders as the main source of stability and movement will reduce back strain.

Keep the Cabinet Door Open While Doing Dishes

Too many people stand at the sink doing dishes, with both feet planted firmly on the floor. While this may be fine if there are just a few dishes to wash, it won’t work well for the body if there is a full sink to get through. The best solution is to keep the cabinet door open beneath the sink. One foot can then be placed on the ledge there to help keep some pressure off the back and ensure some stability. Switch back and forth between feet to ensure adequate rest time for each.

Extend One Leg While Reaching into the Washing Machine

It may sound silly, but having one leg extended as you reach down into the washing machine to pull out some clothes is one of the best methods for preventing back pain. Simply leaning all the way over and reaching down inside the washer with both feet on the floor is a surefire way to allow back pain to set in. This is especially true if reaching is needed several times to get everything out. An extended leg will help to keep the back straight even while bent, rather than curled and hunched over.

Back and neck pain can set in easily while tackling cleaning tasks. Be sure to visit The Joint Chiropractic at one of their 400 locations after a day of cleaning to ensure the body is properly aligned and feeling up to par after the tough job. Visitors can stop in during extended hours -- no appointment necessary.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.