Back pain from cab time isn't just part of the job, and here's why

Lots of operators I know say sitting in the crane all day is a cushy gig that doesn't need extra care. I used to think that too, until my lower back started aching so bad I could barely get out of the seat after a long lift. The common view is that we're not doing heavy lifting like the ground crew, so our bodies are fine. But staying in one position for hours makes your muscles stiff and weak. I started doing ten minutes of simple back and leg stretches before my shift, and it made a huge difference. Now I have less pain and I feel more alert when operating. Some guys laugh and say it's soft, but I think preventing injury is smart, not soft. If we want to keep doing this job for years, we have to look after our bodies.

3 comments

3 Comments

aliceflores1mo ago

Read an article last week that explained how sitting all day shortens your hip muscles and pulls on your spine. It recommended holding a runner's lunge for 30 seconds on each side to loosen up those front hips. Honestly, it made sense why my dad's desk job messed up his back too, so this stuff applies to more than just crane work. Giving those muscles a good stretch before sitting down really can stop the ache before it starts.

maxm351mo ago

Have you tried any specific stretches that helped the most? I've heard from folks in trades that staying still for hours can wreck your back worse than moving around. Calling it 'soft' to take care of yourself is just dumb, because pain doesn't care how tough you are. It's SMART to fix small problems before they turn into big ones. Keep doing what works for you, man.

terrypalmer1mo ago

Doubt it's that big a deal for most folks. You really think a quick stretch fixes years of sitting?

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