For those of you who work in physically demanding manual labor, how do you handle or manage the pain? For the past few years, I’ve been unloading pickup trucks filled with fruit and carrying the loads to distant areas. I’m suffering from plantar fasciitis, back and lower back pain, and my shin muscles feel incredibly sore. I honestly don’t know how some people manage to spend their entire lives in this line of work—I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going. What can I do?
How are your shoes? Definitely worth investing in high quality footwear with good support. Don't rely on NSAIDs (ibuprofen, alive, naproxen)Eat well, get enough rest, exercise to increase endurance
>>35075636In my country, we wear flip-flops at work. I rarely take ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory—I’m not even sure if that would actually help; I might just end up with side effects instead. I’m only 23, by the way, and I can’t even imagine still being able to walk by the time I’m 50.
>>35075599I just live with the soreness. I use nsaids very sparingly, only on days when its excruciatingly bad. I would look into getting a pair of good shoes like the other anon said. Maintain good posture when you're carrying, maybe stretch before work. I mean, there's only really so much you can do. Labor is labor.
>>35075599Buy a putti back brace for back pain; it’s a huge help—I use one myself and don’t feel any back pain at all. A pair of knee braces and compression socks can also be useful.Also, buy pain medication on the black market.
>>35075599I either take it like a man and work through it, or if I can't I use horse balm, the blue one will cool your body while the red one will make you feel like you are on fire.
>how do you handle or manage the pain?PainkillersAll the older guys I've worked with have been addicted to drugs and have criminal records.Stretching, eating well, minimizing exposure to toxic materials and exercising will do you good. If you're fit and strong you can labor for a long time.
>>35075599You need better footwear. I have 2 pairs of $300 boots that I alternate between during workdays. Don't forget about quality in-souls they help just as much as the boots.
>>35075599high powered massage gun
>>35075599I don't abuse drugs, I take hot salt baths, stretch a lot, and stay fit. When lifting have good posture, squat more than bend your lower back when possible, use common sense to avoid accidents, etc.
>>35075599Use specialized tools/machinery>But we don't have them/do it by handThen your body is a tool and it gets worn down irreversibly. Either accept this fact or change job
>Either accept this fact or change jobYeah you got to ask yourself if you want to do this kind of job long term, some blue collar fields can get easier on the body if you move up to a more managerial role or start your own business to get younger guys to do most of the grunt work. Long term though somethings aren't going to be good to do past 30+.
