Looking After Your Spine While Painting

Congrats! Now that you've watched every show and movie on Netflix during isolation, it's time to do something productive with yourself. Grab some paint and a brush and let's freshen up our bubbles.

But like with most activities, particularly new ones, painting can put a lot of stress on your spine and body. You're probably thinking 'No way! I am healthy and I keep active. What's a light brush and a bit of paint gonna do to me?'. Well you'd be amazed how repetitive strain in all the weird and wonderful positions can cause stiffness, pain, swelling and even weakness.

Here's a few general tips for you take to into consideration before you get to work on your spare bedroom later today:

1. Height of paint can - Repetitive bending down to put more paint on the brush can take its toll on your lower back muscles, as well as your knees. Instead, after you have done the bottom of the wall, lift the paint up onto an old chair so that you don't have to keep bending down to the floor.

2. Swap hands - Most people are right handed so they end up doing most of their painting with their right hand, however this is overworking the muscles of the right hand, forearm, arm and shoulder, which can lean to arm and neck pain. Instead, swap regularly to use the other hand/arm, every 10-minutes rather than waiting for the fatigue to set in. 

3. Ceiling support - The worst part of painting a house is doing the ceilings. Looking up for long periods of time can cause significant pain, fatigue and dysfunction. Instead, roll up an old sheet and fling it behind your back around and in front of both armpits and tie it in a knot behind your neck. Now when you look up, the back of your head will be supported by the rolled sheet. 

4. Micro-breaks - Make sure you stretch before and throughout the painting and take regular breaks where you walk around or do a different type of movement/ job. 

Bonus Tip… Prevention is key - It's important to know that you should take all the necessary steps BEFORE the pain or stiffness sets in. If you are experiencing any symptoms to negative change has already started and its important to contact your health care provider for further help and assistance. 

Happy painting!