That One Guy

Im sure most of us at least see a chiropractor or have a sore back, or bad knees. I dont think I have ever met an older plumber who doesnt have a kink somewhere.

I just turned 30 in April and already have issues with my body that I never considered when I was a teenager plumbing after school. I see a chiropractor now and then to get me straightend out and loosened up and I had knee surgery last March. I had a soft spot in the knee cap so they took it out and I am just now able to kneel down without any major pain.

I also have a hard time bouncing back after a ruff day where before I could bust my butt, drink all night and return to work the next day like a fire ball lol. I never thought that at the young age of thirty I would be kinda tore up even though I did start at a young age.

So I guess the question is......Do you take precautions when working such as knee pads, gloves, eye protection, etc? Are you all messed up?

I think plumbing will tear you up over time but using the proper saftey gear (like I never did) can help slow it down. I find myself telling the younger guys to use the knee pads they have or do things a certain way so they wont hurt themselves but they dont listen, just like I didnt

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Quality Doesn't Cost, It Pay's

Cal

Knees , Dbl hernias , broken bones , lacerations , metal in the eyes , hearing loss , OH ,,, AND BALD !!!

Go to the gym ,,, 5 days a week . Stay strong , the aches and pains will diminish .

Goggles ,Knee pads , keep your abdominals strong ,,, this supports your back ! DON'T just "flop " down or " Jerk " up !! Train and work smarter !!

NOT that I'm a huge Sly Stallone fan but in the last Rocky movie ( # 23,,I believe )

He says something to his kid like , " It's not how hard you hit BUT how hard you can GET HIT AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD "

I respect that and think ALL us Plumbers and tradesman are destined to just that kind of life .

I for one still ,,,,, LOVE THIS TRADE !!!

my .02

Cal

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"The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly."

tnoisaw

I've been using a gardening knee pad to knell on for years because I don't have knee problems and I don't want them. It also good for lying on under a cabinet.

I have six screws in my left ankle. It was fused a few years ago. Besides the scars from burns and lacerations, thing are pretty good. I'll be fifty in a couple months.

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Being a plumber is often like being the only one on your block that has a pickup.

leak1

rotor-cuffs wore out, bad knees, achey back- 33yrs of to much cast iron, 4 advil in morn & 4 at quiting time, hot whirlpoolbath and off we go! i can keep up with the best of the youngans-most of the time-if you want to run with the big dogs you have to deal with aches & pains!
REMEMBER-PAIN IS JUST WEEKNESS LEAVING THE BODY!
PS-lift with the legs not the back! LEAK-bustin balls-1

Proud Plumber

I throw my back out occasionally and I always remember the knee pads after work. I ordered prescription safety glasses last week. They are not chick magnets (big screens) but I hate crap in my eyes.

I am finding the diet helps a bit as well. I gave up my life quest of eating everything for every meal deep fat fried.

My daughter says the Marlboros are next.

I like Cal's suggestion and I am considering the same thing, joining a Gym. I am 39 and I feel good physically. I do not always like some of the positions we are in during the day but after a hard days I like to go home tired knowing I worked brain and body together.

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Bill

"I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead"..Jimmy Buffett

That One Guy

I actually bought an entire home gym but by the time I get to it I dont feel like working out. Finding the time is another issue. I worked for a long time with minor pains and just shrugged them off but since knee surgery I pay more attention to my body.

I have a new motto that I stole from a commercial lol, "Work Smarter, Not Harder"

I have a few knee and back pads and love them.

Ah the hot tub My pops uses one every night! He's in his late 50's and still plumbing away. Advil, your chemically enhanced lol.

I got hot solder in my eye a few years back from being stupid and laying on my back under a house while soldering. I wear saftey glasses now

I smoke a pack of Marlboro's a day and I need to quit too! I have quit cold turkey 3 times but it only lasted about a month each time.

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Quality Doesn't Cost, It Pay's

ESPinc

I am within a few months of turning 50 and have had back and neck issues for the last 22 years. See my chiropractor at least once a week. I don't think its from work as I try to take every precaution to avoid strain on my back. Now running offshore in a fishing tournament in 6 to 8 footers is probably the cause, but I'll blame it on work any day. Just another note, I had lower back pain for years and it would go out at least once a month but it has not been any problem at all since I went skydiving last February, go figure!!

UnclogNH

36 Banged up beat up, fat and still going

Left knee Acl surgery tripped off deck. Can't lift left foot due to surgery, shoulder surgery slipped trying to keep from falling in dirty water, Right knee surgery football H. S. Broken pinkie missed chisel with hammer. Back 100%.
only time back hurt is when I lifted that old guy off the floor during a job.
My wallet has been a little sore due to the economy.

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Charging less does not mean more call volume it just means you have to work harder to reach your goals.

TheMaster

I'm in my late 30's and have been plumbing forever with no problems from work. I do wear nitrile gloves now and saftey glasses somtimes. I wear a mask occasionally. I keep in shape and have no joint problems other than a sore back every now and then if I dig with a shovel for a few days straight. Being over-weight is 90% of peoples joint problems or injury from trama like a car wreck or sports injury. A proper diet,exercise and sleep do wonders for your body. No fried food or sugar.

UnclogNH

Have not touched junk food in 3 weeks dropped 11 lbs

Only trouble I'm having is the cravings for snacks I feel like a drug addict trying to kick the habit or a smoker trying to quit.
God I'm glad I never smoked trying to eat right and quit smoking might have been to much.

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Charging less does not mean more call volume it just means you have to work harder to reach your goals.