SAFER WAYS

The healthiest ways to do household chores. This week: Washing-up PUT your foot on a stool when you’re washing up or doing standing tasks such as ironing, says Jon Bongcawel, a senior physiotherapist at Physio Med in Leeds.

When you do jobs like this, you lean forward over an object and repeatedly twist.

‘It’s also known as “waiter’s lean” and, over time, this can cause damage to your lower back, neck and shoulders,’ says Jon Bongcawel. ‘Place one foot on a small footstool or bathroom scale to lift it slightly.’

This position stops you from leaning, forces you to adjust your posture and keeps your lower back straight. A straight lower back prevents pressure being put on discs and joints, which can create problems including wear and tear.

‘Leaning or failing to keep the lower back straight can also increase pain and worsen existing disc or joint injuries,’ he adds.