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TRAWLERS & TRAWLERING LIST

TWL: Re: Back Supports As Boat Equipment

Martin I Veiner

Sun, May 11, 2003 10:33 PM

I've recently come to the conclusion, from the undeniably small sample of
three, that all Marine Trader owners ought to be sure that their boats
are equipped with back braces.

Neighbor Glenn Carter has an MT-44, same year as mine (1979) and he had
back surgery two weeks ago. Last week, a friend, Jim Saul, who owns an
MT-38, similar vintage, came aboard and needed a back brace from work he
had been doing while building a fuel polishing system. This week, after
sanding and priming two decks over the fore and aft cabins, I am unable
to straighten up without a back brace.

These black nylon, plastic, and velcro supports are sold at Home Depot
and they are worth their weight in gold when you need them. I think I am
going to buy two for general inventory on the boat, and they may even
prevent some future back aches.

Are there any other trawler-crawlers out there that seem to get a lot of
back pain from chores on their boats or is it just me? Any quick and
dirty home remedies or cures worth sharing?

Martin I. Veiner

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I've recently come to the conclusion, from the undeniably small sample of three, that all Marine Trader owners ought to be sure that their boats are equipped with back braces. Neighbor Glenn Carter has an MT-44, same year as mine (1979) and he had back surgery two weeks ago. Last week, a friend, Jim Saul, who owns an MT-38, similar vintage, came aboard and needed a back brace from work he had been doing while building a fuel polishing system. This week, after sanding and priming two decks over the fore and aft cabins, I am unable to straighten up without a back brace. These black nylon, plastic, and velcro supports are sold at Home Depot and they are worth their weight in gold when you need them. I think I am going to buy two for general inventory on the boat, and they may even prevent some future back aches. Are there any other trawler-crawlers out there that seem to get a lot of back pain from chores on their boats or is it just me? Any quick and dirty home remedies or cures worth sharing? Martin I. Veiner ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

Ron Rogers

Mon, May 12, 2003 5:57 AM

The back supports serve as reminders of correct posture or limits to
observe. Truly therapeutic ones are for after the damage and resemble
whalebone corsets.

Around here, several physical therapy outfits offer a one-evening back class
which is well worth the time and the $45.00 when I took it.

Subject to correction by Dr. Bob Austin, the following are a few of the
"teaching points" from the class:

Do exercises which strengthen your STOMACH muscles. Example - bent leg
sit-ups (coming up only half-way.)
Every once in a while, stand up, place your fists in the small of your
back and lean backwards against the fists.
Do not stoop or lean over from a stool or similar. Get down to the
task and change positions as frequently as possible.
Don't let your back get cold as when pressed-up against the hull.
Find relatives who are younger and more supple and bribe them to do
some things for you.

Preventatively yours,
Ron Rogers
Annapolis, MD
{8^0)

The back supports serve as reminders of correct posture or limits to observe. Truly therapeutic ones are for after the damage and resemble whalebone corsets. Around here, several physical therapy outfits offer a one-evening back class which is well worth the time and the $45.00 when I took it. Subject to correction by Dr. Bob Austin, the following are a few of the "teaching points" from the class: 1) Do exercises which strengthen your STOMACH muscles. Example - bent leg sit-ups (coming up only half-way.) 2) Every once in a while, stand up, place your fists in the small of your back and lean backwards against the fists. 3) Do not stoop or lean over from a stool or similar. Get down to the task and change positions as frequently as possible. 4) Don't let your back get cold as when pressed-up against the hull. 5) Find relatives who are younger and more supple and bribe them to do some things for you. Preventatively yours, Ron Rogers Annapolis, MD {8^0)