We can’t escape from doing house chores no matter how much we dislike them. Washing dishes is one of them and it is something that many of us do on a daily basis. While this task may seem easy to do and pretty harmless, it can potentially lead to back pain and discomfort. This is especially so if it is done improperly or for extended periods of time. So, when doing dishes kills your back, it is appropriate to explore why and what you can do about it to prevent and manage this problem.
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Why Does Your Back Hurt So Bad When You Do The Dishes
The most common cause for backache when you wash the dishes is poor posture. It is natural to bend forward to reach into the sink when you do the washing. Tall people will tend to end up doing this because the sink is just set too low for their height. Hence, the need to bend forward to get the chore done. Add in the repetitive motion of scrubbing and rinsing, it will eventually take a toll on the back.
When you bend forward for an extended period of time, it will cause problems to your spinal discs and the surrounding tissues. If you already have a weak back to start with, doing dishes by bending forward on a daily basis will gradually make things worse. This is speaking from personal experience rather than any expert advice.
Therefore, the first thing that you need to watch out for is your posture if you want to reduce the chances of ending up with back pain. Again, this is not expert medical advice but things that I have tried along the way.
How To Do The Dishes Without Hurting Your Back
It is quite natural to just stand with your feet wider apart if you want to lower your height. Since I’m not that tall, I could just widen my stance a little to reach down into my sink. It helps to keep my back straighter as I do my dishes. However, I doubt this would work for people who are really tall. This is because this posture is not that comfortable if done over an extended period of time even for my average height.
The other option that I have found is to put one side of my leg up a low stool if I have a lot of dishes to wash for the day. Some people will just open up their cabinet door and stick one foot up the edge. Then, you just rotate with the other foot. Just do whatever you are comfortable with.
If you are really sensitive about the height when you lift up your leg, there are foot rests with adjustable height which you can purchase. These are designed to help you prop a foot up to relief leg and back tension from standing too long.
Other Practical Solutions When Doing Dishes Kills Your Back
Just like reducing fatigue at a standing desk, you can also apply some of the same solutions when doing the dishes. Use a mat or cushion to stand on to reduce the impact on your feet and legs. You can look for anti-fatigue kitchen mats These are thick mats with soft texture and firm support which you can put near your sink. So, rather than standing on the hard floor when you are doing your washing, you will be standing on a cushioned surface instead.
The other method is to use an over the sink rack. Place your dishes in it so that you don’t have to reach all the way down to the bottom of your sink for them. This works if your sink is particularly deep. It is also a great way to protect your kitchen sink from scratches.
Of course, don’t pile up your dishes too. I think this is the most practical solution of all other than buying a dishwasher. If you pile them up, you will just end up with plenty to wash at one go. As a result, you will have to spend a long time hunching over the sink which will inevitable cause you back pain for washing the dishes.
Finally, please bear in mind that all of the above reasons and suggestions are not a substitute for expert advice. When doing dishes kills your back, it can be both a minor or a serious medical issue. So, consulting a doctor is best. After you have determined the reason for the pain, then perhaps the above tips can help you to find some relief from the discomfort.
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