Vacuuming and Lower Back Pain

Vacuuming and Lower Back Pain

 

Many times, a patient with a diagnosis of lower back pain will tell me that the pain seems to increase when vacuuming. 

Most people tend to push/pull the vacuum with one arm.  The vacuum is held to one side, which places a twisting torque on the lower back.  This force causes man increase in lower back pain.

 

 In this picture, the man is holding the vacuum with two hands directly in front of his belly button.  The force is directed through the lower back with no rotational torque and is therefore less aggravating to the lower back.  Because of this, I usually advise my patients to try their best to keep the handle of the vacuum directly in front of their belly button region, at least until the acute symptoms subside.  As this new technique may not be familiar, it will protect the spine.  The more spine-sparing techniques that you perform during the day, the more you minimize the chances of symptom return.