I'm a 30 year old in 90 year old mans body [Archive] - LawnSite.com™

AGG Lawn Maintenance

06-30-2002, 11:12 PM

I have been doing landscaping for 15 years now. Yes ever since the ripe old age of 15. My back feels like about 100 people ran right over it to get to The Back Street Boys. Over the last 4 years I have been getting sharp pains in my lower back area. Sometimes the pain is up higher as well. But still the show must go on. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so what do you do??? Sometimes I can't even sit down for too long. I am tring to save myself from going to the Doctors but I'm not getting any better. Help!!!
Travis
AG&G Lawn Maintenance:confused:

lawnkid

06-30-2002, 11:32 PM

I hear you though I'm only 14, and I already have bad back pains from working landscaping all day sometimes, not mowing lawns. I'm gonna die working before I'm 20 i swear.

Cutter1

06-30-2002, 11:44 PM

Don't wait around and wait till your in pain and can't move......its only going to get worse, do something about it now. I have a slight advantage my dad and my two brothers are Chiropractors. :) I see them reguraly and I have no problems. A lot of other guys I know in the business also go to my Brothers also. Got to keep maintenance on yourself above anything else!!!

Evan528

06-30-2002, 11:48 PM

I hear you.... im 18 and my body is convinced its 60! some days are worse then others!

yardman1

06-30-2002, 11:48 PM

Travis, I feel your pain brother, I worked for a beer distributer for about 7 years before I got back into this biz again, I had 500 pounds of beer fall on my knees one day and have not been right since that day. Just aly on a heating pad when it hurts and go on with the day. I hate going to the docter for that because they will tell me the samething that they have told me for years" find an office job" and I tell them " hell no" I will live with it.

Kevin
Williams Lawn Management:cry:

LAWNGODFATHER

06-30-2002, 11:49 PM

I know the feeling.

Go to a sports medicine dr. not a Chiropractor.

Learn how to strenthen the back not tweak it.

Robert T

06-30-2002, 11:52 PM

I sugg going to the Dr. I know the feeling very well. I am a Diesel mechanic full time, and do a lot of lifting. My last back injury a couldn't sit for very long so i went to Dr. and found that i twisted my pelvic bone on the left side. My left leg was shorter that the other and long story short after 12 wks of Physical therpy i can sit again!
the pain is from the siatic nerve that runs from back to leg right under your butt cheek.....go to Dr cause it won't go away by its self i tried that theory!!

Robert

siclmn

06-30-2002, 11:55 PM

I used to swing a pick all day and carry heavy garbage cans full of wet grass on my shoulders. I don't do these things anymore. You may need to stop doing things the way you always did them and learn how to do them differently. Now my garbage can has wheels.

ADLAWNCUTTERS

07-01-2002, 01:24 AM

i know what youre talking about. im 37 yoa i've been cutting lawns since i was 14 yoa. as you get older you learn to work smarter.for last couple of years i mow with a sulkey,and pace my self,drink plenty of water,the best investment i have made with the business is buying ear protection with the am radio in them so i can listen to rush all day.get one of those radio's you wont regret it

MOW ED

07-01-2002, 08:31 AM

You have to get to a Doctor because there are many things that it can be. Some are quite treatable and some are always going to be there. There are sciatic nerves, lumbar disc problems, arthritis, pelvic problems. The Doc can tell you what is going south on you and sometimes even perscribe the right medication to try and ease the pain.
You wouldn't run your Z too long with a cracked frame would ya?

Cutter1

07-01-2002, 09:00 AM

Tweak??? Man its amazing when you hear someone talk about Chiropractic that doesn't know anything about it. My father has been a Chiropractor for 30+ years. If he heard you say that, he would be pissed. He speaks across the country about his practice. Tweak??? The way health care is now, most Chiropractors are doing more therapy to get paid, then tweaking, thank you .

SLS

07-01-2002, 11:10 AM

Cutter1, your dad would be pissed about what I'm going to say too...but here it is:

Chiropractors almost paralyzed my dad with their therapies. Yeah, he experienced some temporary relief (2 days at best) but did nothing for the real problem (calcium deposits restricting the nerve passages in the spinal column). Sad thing was that, while the deposits were the original 'culprit', the new set of titainum rods he carrys in his back are not. Those are from the years of getting 'straightened and relieved'....(yeah, right).

Orthopedic surgeons and neurologic surgeons fixed what the years of chiropractors screwed up enabled my dad to walk almost upright (and relativly pain-free) again.

It kills me to see my 63 year-old father walking like a much older man. He should have went to the Orthopedic guys first.

Just my experience in this topic.

Doc Pete

07-01-2002, 11:58 AM

You guy's need to remember it's just a job... That you'll be doing for 40 years. PLAN FOR IT!!!! If you keep listening to those guy's on a rider for 4/5 hours straight, you'll be in the grave before long. Just like a desk job, take a break. I weed whack a Cemetary and use a "Chono timer watch". It's set for 13 minutes. I weed for 13 minutes, stop and stretch for 2 minutes, then back to work. Also, we mow for 1 hour, then take a 5 minute water/candy bar break and back to work. Both of us feel better, we don't ***** at each other,and are much better working through the day.
Stop listening to guy's working a 12/14 hour day, or wanting you to. That's just not right. You won't make it to 65.
Pete

higherpower

07-01-2002, 12:59 PM

I hear you. I'm 55 and my bodly hurts but I'm O.K. This is the reason why I do not do flower beds. I only cut grass, edge, weed eat, and blow. I start early 6 to 6:30 am and finish early like noon, so I'm done before It really gets hot! I've doing this for 9 years full time. I'm not going to get rich but I make enough to support myself, my children and 6 children. Be careful.

awm

07-01-2002, 01:24 PM

i hear u brother . that was me although i was a little older.first u aint saving money
,skipping the doctor. second u have it in your capability to get your life back.
get medical help . then under his care ,
start a life time excersize program.
2 min is good the first 2 wks . no pain no gain is not your game,at this stage .
mine is walking and dancing ,among other things. the key to lifetime program is to leave a subconcious imprint of having enjoyed yourself. its for life so do no more than is fun.just get the heart rate and lung work up . u will also be toning the muscles that are allowing your body to pull your back out of line.the real secrete is the positive image left in your mind after each excersize.thats what makes u sustain theprogram continuously
without any physical achievement goals .
they come on dn the rd some. the goal now is to start working on quality living. this can wk. guaranteed. its in your hands.always has been . good luck brother.

GroundKprs

07-01-2002, 01:41 PM

This 58 year old body can run circles around teenagers, and has been in grounds maintenance for 23 years - loving every day of it. Walk up to 20 miles a day, never ride except between jobs. Unload and stack 2-1/2 tons of fert by hand in less than an hour, moved 20 feet from trailer to barn.

Yes indeed, there will be aches and pains. Have had carpal tunnel for over 30 years, just learned from the (GOOD!!) doctors how to manage it, and get it checked every year for problems I wouldn't notice. By all means, find a good doctor, and learn how to manage your body to keep going as long as you want. Of course, you must follow his advice on lifestyle: eating, resting, drinking, smoking, how to lift, sun exposure, hydration, etc.

Asked Dr.S. 6 years ago if I'm wearing my body out working like this. He almost fell off his chair laughing. Said he wished he'd see a few high schoolers in the shape I was in. LOL

And what is a good doctor?? The word doctor comes from Latin dochere, meaning "to teach." Why are so many college professors called doctors? A doctor is not just a medical person; a good medical doctor is one who teaches you how to maintain your health. He's not just a mechanic who fixes your physical problems. Lots of medical doctors are really well educated, but they don't or won't communicate effectively with patients; and lots of patients are poor students.

And I have to question Pete's advice. Only 5 minutes an hour for candy break, Pete? Is it OK to sneak a couple extra bites in during the hour, when you get near the truck? Gotta keep my dentist in business. :D

Doc Pete

07-01-2002, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by GroundKprs
shape I was in. LOL

And I have to question Pete's advice. Only 5 minutes an hour for candy break, Pete? Is it OK to sneak a couple extra bites in during the hour, when you get near the truck? Gotta keep my dentist in business. :D

You sly Devil :D My wife purposely puts in extra snickers and mars bars for my helper. It gives him a sugar high and works twice as hard;) ;) ;)

LAWNGODFATHER

07-01-2002, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by Cutter1
Tweak??? Man its amazing when you hear someone talk about Chiropractic that doesn't know anything about it.

Sorry munipulate (tweak)

There ya go jumping the gun.

I happen to live right near the great logon college of chiropractic's.

Been to 3 and will never go back to one again. Not only did I have to go to a different one to fix what one screwed up but I had to go to another to fix what he screwed up fixing the others mistakes.

Make sure when you ream some one that they do not know anthing about it they DON'T know.

Every one I know that has been to one has had sevear damage from going.

Sports Medicine Doctor.

BTW I have 3 buddies whom are chiroprators.

dr grass

07-01-2002, 09:46 PM

my recommendation is nothing like these others that have posted. you should start a regimin of working out 3-5 days a week with free weights. ive been doing it since i was 14 and have never had any major problems. eating right, getting enough rest, and drinking plenty of water are also key. this isnt a quick fix though bro. you must adapt it as a lifestyle. but the way i look at it is .... i only have on me, so i better take good care of me. hope this helps.

shep

Doc Pete

07-01-2002, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by dr grass
my recommendation is nothing like these others that have posted. you should start a regimin of working out 3-5 days a week with free weights. ive been doing it since i was 14 and have never had any major problems. eating right, getting enough rest, and drinking plenty of water are also key. this isnt a quick fix though bro. you must adapt it as a lifestyle. but the way i look at it is .... i only have on me, so i better take good care of me. hope this helps.

shep

The only problem is, besides common sense, the problem is also genetic. Some of us will never get work related injuries, and others no matter how hard they try, will.
Pete

sbvfd592

07-01-2002, 10:38 PM

you have to eat healthy and stay in shape over the off season i go to the sports doc at the high school :D it helps alot makes me feel bettrer eat healthy

awm

07-02-2002, 08:19 AM

good advice dr. just remember that benching 350 is great as a lineman but will tell on the shoulder joints in time.
my personal opinion is mind, heart, lung,
and back in that order of importance.
i would mention spirit, but the subject
is not easily covered in this forum.:)

65hoss

07-02-2002, 08:51 AM

I feel better these days than I did at 18. I'm stronger, healthier, and faster. I guess it helps if you've been extremely active your entire life. I'll be thir thir thir thir thir thirty this year (dang hard to say) and I feel great.

awm

07-02-2002, 01:15 PM

hoss ,judging from your post ,u so far ahead of where i was at thirty,it really aint funny. i still thought it was about being tough at that age. a few lumps ,bumps [good teachers] an by the grace o god, i lived long enough to realise ,its lot better, if people like to see u coming.
happy to say my son ,32 is way ahead of me also.guess i was [i hope] just slow.:)

j9sheldon

07-02-2002, 02:13 PM

Just a few questions with suggestions. Have u developed a beer belly. I am 28 and played semipro sports till 23 then retired. I found the joys of drinking beer and developed a beer belly. Since then I have had lower back problems. This is b.c your back is now compensating for the extra weight(this is why pregnant women lower backs always hurt). I went and purchased a large gym ball, about 2.5 ft diameter or workout ball and looked online for some back workouts(developing and stretching back muscles). Ever since I have used the ball I have not had lower back aches. Anyway just my thoughts. Take them as u like.

j9sheldon

leprechaun_50

07-02-2002, 05:47 PM

Years ago I was in an auto accident and had lost all feeling in the right side of my face. Went to the medical doctors and they couldn't or didn't do anything that gave me any relief. One trip to the Chiropractor, and I started to get the feeling back. One more visit and it was all back.
I don't know what Quacks those of you that don't like Chiropractors went to but there is no substitute for a good one!!!

LAWNS AND MOWER

07-02-2002, 06:10 PM

My back is starting to hurt just reading these posts. I've considered going to a chiro, but have been scared due to the fact they might mess me up worse and then be out of mowing for a month. LGF has reassured my belief not to go. BTW, I actually mow a chiro's office.

LAWNS AND MOWER

JimLewis

07-02-2002, 06:26 PM

No offense intended to AGG, but this post should be a lesson to those of you who are die-hard about staying solo. Especially if you do harder "landscaping" kind of work too.

This business can take a toll on your body. Some people are built for it, maybe. I don't know. But I know I would be one sore puppy every day if I had to still be out there doing all the work.

Thankfully, I always had the forsight to want to manage rather than stay a laborer. So I worked for several years to eventually accomplish that goal. Now my days consist of a little hard work here and there but only an hour or two per day. The rest of my time is spent driving around giving estimates, overseeing installs, checking on lawn maintenance crews, talking to customers, answering the phone, and reading messages on LawnSite ;-)

No back aches here! :D

LAWNGODFATHER

07-02-2002, 08:55 PM

Chiropractor's use a miniputations to move your spine into the propper alinement and put it back in it's proper place.

Now they have techniques to do that but finding one that does it right, SLOWLY and not too much at one time can be benifitial.

But in most cases the "younger" ones whom have been tought fast and a alot of visits is better, because many visits equils more money.

Finding one that is not greedy and will do it properly is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

You are still messing with internal medicine with out surgery.

I do have to agree with jim on his statment. some of you work way to hard and your bodies can't take it. for to long.

However most of the time I love to get out there and break a good sweat. I just "try" to watch what I do and not exert myself.

leprechaun_50

07-03-2002, 08:10 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
[B]

But in most cases the "younger" ones whom have been tought fast and a alot of visits is better, because many visits equils more money.

Finding one that is not greedy and will do it properly is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

How does this differ from MDs?

LAWNS AND MOWER

07-03-2002, 05:42 PM

Just a thought. Consider getting a massage. I realize this might just be a band-aid approach, but I get a massage every 4 months. Talk about being rejuvenated!!!!

LAWNS AND MOWER

Nick

07-03-2002, 05:58 PM

I like pain. Lawn godfather is right. Resistance training will prevent many problems.

Turf Ranger

07-08-2002, 02:09 PM

I am only 17 and i have been mowing from about 12.... my back hurts sometimes but i was in wieght lifting in school last year and i know you all prob know this but keeping your back strait while lifting things really does make a difference. Ya you might look a little goofy doing it properly but it will pay off and keep you from looking like a quazie...and also, my dad is my main helper, he is 54 and when we are out mowing he is always wanting to go out and hit some more while im about to pass out. He wears one of those back support straps that goes around your back and i think thats what helps him alot... anyways just thought i would give ya a thought

BAMARED

07-08-2002, 04:21 PM

Advice: Focus more on the maintenance of yourself and less on lawn maintence. Go to a reputable doctor and stay away from the "kwacker-practers." You might consider light weight training therapy for a few minutes a day after you're healed - but the doctor can tell you all about this. It's not too late - yet.

Good luck and take care of yourself,

BAMARED

Doc Pete

07-08-2002, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by Turf Ranger
I am only 17 and i have been mowing from about 12.... my back hurts sometimes but i was in wieght lifting in school last year and i know you all prob know this but keeping your back strait while lifting things really does make a difference.

Also, after much time physical therapy, a big item is to strengthen you lower stomach muscles. The lower stomach muscles keep your back from bending so you don't run the chance of it bumping a nerve. It has done wonders for me.
Pete

marley

07-08-2002, 06:34 PM

i went to one and after aboot 4 "adjustments" i felt some shooting pains in my brain stem area. i told him about this and he said " just one more adjustment and i will fix it". i am so glad i did not let him touch me again. this was two years ago. now my neck and back crack when i laugh at a joke or shake someone's hand. i saw him one day at a stop light and he gave me a happy wave as if to say "how's it going buddy". i gave him my middle finger in return. there is a book called" CHIROPRACTIC, A VICTIM'S PERSPECTIVE". i highly recommend it to anybody who is considering being"adjusted"

dr grass

12-04-2002, 12:35 PM

i will never go to a chiropractor after reading this thread. too many BAD examples here. alot of rules are "written in blood". in this case they are written in "bad backs". f the chiropractor. ill keep with my healthy lifestyle. i feel great if i work all day, or dont llife a thing. working does not make me sore or take a big toll on my body. if it did, i would find something else to do..

shep :(

CHINES60

12-04-2002, 01:32 PM

:blob3:
I am 63 and feel like the clown up in the corner. Always been doing contruction and lawn services. I still feel my age but for acouple of things I am lucky. I hope to die working with no pains. I don't care to retire but have already retired twice(don't tell anyone) I will be around a lot longer than those complaining office workers,I hope.
So my advice, learn your capabilities and leave hard work to the helper or younger people. Be careful and live longer.

Prayer for all of you.
Good luck
Chuck :sleeping: