Any of you window cleaners get RSI? If so, how did it impact you. What steps have you taking to prevent it reoccuring, or to manage it?
What steps would you tell window cleaners to avoid getting RSI?
I don’t have RSI, but my right wrist which carries my heavy bucket has incredible pain from time to time when moving my wrist up and down.
Not trying to start controversy, or anything. Just telling you my experience. About 5 years into my business, (6 years ago), My wrist’s were both in bad shape. Always hurting and so forth from all the fanning. I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon, he shot me up with Cortisone. They were good for 6 months. I went again, same thing, 6 months later same thing.
I asked the Doc if these shots were bad for me in the long run? He said yes, the cortisone will eventually eat away at your tendons. When they started hurting again I went to an acupuncturist, (is that spelled right??) I had two treatments, That was about 4 years ago, my wrist haven’t hurt since.
About a year and a half ago, I got tennis elbow from squeegeeing. My MD wanted to shoot it with cortisone, I said no, I’ll go to the acupuncturist. He smirked and gave me one of those know it all looks, 2 treatments, arm was & is as good as new.
It worked wonders for me!
windowman
When i started out 8 yrs ago, i had used the brass metal squeegues…they hurt your hand like hell…if you or someone you know is still using them, start using the ergo tec or anything but the metal handle ones man.
I still get the odd pangs of cramp. Funnily enough its when I use a squeegee handle thats bigger than my normal size. Also bad habits of reaching out & sticking my finger up the handle instead of grabbing it when I’m over-reaching. I try to utilise a pole more & also swap hands more often.
I use “joint formula” besides other natural supplements & this seems to hold it off. I have no cartileage left in my back or knees due to sport & work. I was also told around 6 years a go that I’d be in a wheelchair within a year - they also offered 4 bolts in the back for pain relief! Natural health supplements have got me through this. I have no faith in the established medical system. Like WindowMan, I would also seek out alternative methods & see them on an equal par (or more) than fda treatments or the established accepted medical methods of pain relief & doctors advise.
One biggy I would advise - drink loads of water, the higher the mineral content the better.
I have had more problems with off season than anything (twice as much time on the computer), I have had numbness in two of my fingers lately, so I’m thinking pinched nerve somewhere. May have to give that acupunturist a try!
After the first year of window washing I started making a conscious effort to alternate squeegee hands during the day, cuts down on joint wear and tear, and could be a valuable tool if I ever had an injury to one of the arms.
When I wake up at night, both of my hands are numb. I now use aluminum squeegees and wrist braces and that helps somewhat.
Are you using a round(cylindrical) bucket? If you had a rectangle bucket with lid you could do what I do and carry it on a small luggage cart (held with bungees) when doing route work. I just flip the lid up when I get to the store grab my tools out and go to work. I only carry my bucket when I’m on resi jobs.
I have 3 fingers on each hand that get numb usually at nite or when I’m holding phone, etc. doc says carparel tunnel from repetitive motions…suggested wearing brace on hands while at work…opted not to, sometimes wear at nite…talked to chiropractor at gym said not to have surgery…will come back if keep up movements…
Lots of commercial work by hand and pole, and carrying around a bucket with too much water in it along with bad genes and I developed arthritis in my shoulder joints (not fun). Learned to cut back on filling the bucket with about half of what I use to use and fill up more often. 30 or more lbs. is to much for the old guns.
Al E.
Dr. had given me Naproxen but it is only a temp. fix. Recommended physical therapy.
Not really sure what RSI is but I take it that it’s like carpal tunnel. I don’t have that, but last year my ladder fell from the rack while I was taking it off. It twisted my arm something bad, really bad. I tought I cracked a bone. Well I don’t like doctors. If the doc is not 80 years old I’m not going. Most of these guys were smoking crack to stay up and study. I think they are all in chahoots with each other. But anyway the elbow flares up really bad every day I work. If I use my WFP the elbow flairs up like all hell. I have to ice/heat it when I get home. It gets so bad that I can’t lift a cup of coffee. Totally sucks as this is my 2nd time time year and I wonder if I will be even able to clean a window in 3 years. Oh well one thing I wont do is tell an employee I can’t do it.
I use both hands, squeegee with the right and scrub with the left. I also do the reverse, LOL… I can do that, my new guy is trying to learn that as well!
I am also starting to use only the larger handled tools and the Wagtail
The suggestion about using a bucket carrier is great, you do not need anything too fancy, just works for you.
In Canada, I recoment a natural anti-inflamintory that I take,
company AOR product is Maxi-Boz - $25 per month, low cost
it keeps me working day after day.
RSI affects some of the wfp operators over here and I have started collecting comments on a uk forum about it as I suffer from what I called frozen shoulder that developed into long term RSI. Using the lightest pole/brush you can buy helps as does using the pole with your lower wrist below your waist and stepping back. The shoulder is the most complicated joint in the body and if you younger guys want a lifetimes work, really consider all the angles ! A couple of treatments of accupuncture helped me as does a mix of cider vinegar and honey, google “honeygar”, helps reduce the joint inflamation.
I have been doing the same thing for a few months now. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazed I am by the results. Not just with pain but with everything from allergies to energy to stress! Its amazing what a few well placed needles will do!
When I was doing commercial work I hated carrying the bucket. Coming from strictly residential work previously, that used a squirt bottle to soaker method. I would take a square one gallon poland springs bottle with the plastic carrying loop and punch a whole in the top with a phillips screwdriver. This way you only carry a gallon of water around instead of 3 or 4. I never liked the idea of dipping my soaker into dirty water to clean windows. This doesn’t work for every situation like extremely dirty windows, very hot days, etc. Even then I generally just used my bucket for rinsing my soaker out. I’ve also used a liter soda bottle since they fit in the 32oz bottle on a belt holder.
My wrists hurt sometimes, but it’s nothing to my lower back getting whacked out from time to time (usually with wfp work). Haven’t found a great solution yet other than watching angles and trying to be aware of my body movements 
I am very grateful for this post!
Both of my elbows have been very sore lately. I have been trying to figure out if i just strained them with the WFP after not working so much over the winter , or if i am entering into a new phase of life where things begin to ache.
I have experienced wrist pain after especially big work weeks and attribute it to continued, repetitive movement.
But lately, in the elbows a sharp twinge has developed while working or doing anything requiring movement in my elbows.
I have heard of the Glucosamin, Chondroitin, MSM combination to really work with joint problems. I will report the results. I just started taking the stuff.
And i will definitely check into the acupuncture! Thanks for the suggestion!
-christopher t , Let there be light
Several years ago I was getting severe pains in my elbows. I realized it was from hyper-extending my elbow while carrying a bucket. I started keeping the elbow slightly bent while carrying it and the pain went away and haven’t had it since.
All of those help. The main thing to realize is that a natural way is a little slower but will benefit you more in the end. I started taking those supplements along time ago. they took a couple of months to kick in but when they did I felt great. I think the whole combination is the most important for total heath. By that I mean: eating right, exercise, vitamins, chiropractor visits to help your spine and other joints fit where they need to be, and accupuncture. It all goes together and will make you feel great. I used to be in bad shape even when I was in my early 20’s. A few years back I couldn’t even keep up with my kids. Enough was enough and I did something about and have never looked back since. Now that I am healthier I am doing more work than I thought possible and still have plenty of energy for the family and kids. if you give it a chance, put the work in and give it some time, you will be a happy camper!
Words to live by! Thanks for the reminder Scott!
sometimes my hands get numb at night from sleeping on my hand, and thus cutting off cirulation. Are you sure that’s not part of it?
