Tips for Drywall Installers to Avoid Back Pain

You know better than anyone that hanging rock isn't for the faint of heart. It’s heavy, awkward work that demands serious muscle day in and day out.

But waking up stiff and sore every morning shouldn’t be just part of the job description. If you want to stay in the game for the long haul without blowing out a disc, you’ve got to work smarter. We’ve put together some tips for drywall installers to avoid back pain that can help you finish the day feeling strong instead of wrecked.

Stretch Before You Touch a Sheet

You wouldn’t run a marathon without warming up, and hanging drywall is basically an eight-hour athletic event. Taking five minutes to stretch your hamstrings, shoulders, and lower back gets the blood flowing and prepares your muscles for the load. It might feel silly at first, but loose muscles are way less likely to snap or strain than cold, tight ones. A quick warm-up routine is the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever buy for your body.

Lift With Your Legs Every Single Time

It’s the oldest advice in the book, but it’s ignored constantly when you’re rushing to get a wall finished. When you bend at the waist to pick up a sheet, you’re putting massive leverage on your lower spine. Instead, squat down, keep your back straight, and drive up through your heels. Your legs are built to carry that weight; your lower back isn't. Making this a strict habit will save you a world of hurt.

Upgrade to Automatic Taping Tools

Manual taping and finishing require repetitive motions that can grind your joints down over time. Automatic tools, like bazookas and flat boxes, take a huge amount of physical strain out of the equation. Of course, these tools can be costly, so be sure to perform a cost-benefit analysis before investing your hard-earned money in them. But if you're in constant pain because of repetitive overhead reaching, they can be worth it because they can drastically reduce fatigue and save you from costly career-ending injuries.

Keep The Load Close to Your Body

Holding a heavy sheet of drywall away from your chest makes it feel much heavier than it actually is and increases the strain on your spine. Whenever you’re carrying or positioning a board, hug it as close to your center of gravity as possible. This reduces the torque on your spine instantly.

Stay Strong for the Long Haul

Your body is your most important tool, so treating it right needs to be a priority on every job site. By following these tips for drywall installers to avoid back pain small adjustments to how you move and what equipment you use, you can protect your livelihood and enjoy your time off the clock.