# Back injury from brushing teeth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 9, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948 "2003-12-09T16:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/21 "2003-12-10T23:41:48Z")
Often these surprise injury are the last straw in a series micro trauma or overuse. For instance: you are carrying a heavy shoulder bag the same way for a couple of months, a wrong move washing your hair and your neck/shoulder go into painful spasm. Course if you have an old injury that hasn’t recouped to a stable level, that’s that thing. > [@](#): > > _Opalcat said:_ > My knee blows out for no reason at all. Like sitting in a chair, suddenly my knee is in agony and if I try to put weight on it, I’ll fall to the floor. And it might stay that way for a week. I have no idea why. If it lasts for a week I sure hope you’ve had it looked at by a pro. My 2 cents to the hijack: I assume by “no reason at all” you mean you have no knee injury history. So the first question is seating posture; are you putting torque on your knee? [A chair mftr. help site](http://www.sitsmart.co.uk/help_myself.html) but it gives the standard basics. A [forward sloping seat](http://www.acmandal.com/) might also help. Anecdotally I’ve seen a few receptionists do that. That site I admit I found on a very quick google, but looks OK. Though that final diagram they suggest would call for good friction or good footing. Mainly don’t do the twist/cross my legs under the seat. Knees shouldn’t be bent more than 90 degrees. If you can then use a decent chair and experiment with adjustments. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/22 "2003-12-11T00:59:05Z")
I believe it. I’m 6’4" 205 lbs. I regularly do a lot of heavy work around the house. I threw my back out eating noodles. At my office job. Someone walked into my cube, startled me and I jumped, I jumped again so as not to loose the noodles off my fork and BAM. Could hardly walk. I did it again, just a week ago, reaching into my car to get some light packages out. It sucks. Hurt for days. “How did you hurt your back?” Ummmm, mumble mumble. I’m going to have to start making things up. A more conventional strain happened when I moved an extension ladder. All 50lbs of it or so. That one was bad, bad, bad. Rolling over on a bed is torture. Standing, walking, nearly impossible. It can happen. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/23 "2003-12-11T01:12:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey1505 \* > \*\*Hmm…ok, you’ve turned me around on this. I thought it was some lame excuse to get out of work. It might still be, but I see now that it is at least _possibly_ true. \*\* Your first choice in lies should not be one that sends the listener straight to a message board to verify its veracity. I think it’s far more likely to be true. Although I do tell people that no-one ever doubts a lie you tell if the story makes you look stupid. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/24 "2003-12-11T10:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CarnalK \* > \*\*If it lasts for a week I sure hope you’ve had it looked at by a pro. My 2 cents to the hijack: I assume by “no reason at all” you mean you have no knee injury history. So the first question is seating posture; are you putting torque on your knee? [A chair mftr. help site](http://www.sitsmart.co.uk/help_myself.html) but it gives the standard basics. A [forward sloping seat](http://www.acmandal.com/) might also help. Anecdotally I’ve seen a few receptionists do that. That site I admit I found on a very quick google, but looks OK. Though that final diagram they suggest would call for good friction or good footing. > > Mainly don’t do the twist/cross my legs under the seat. Knees shouldn’t be bent more than 90 degrees. If you can then use a decent chair and experiment with adjustments. \*\* I have had knee problems since I was about 8. My mom has had them since childhood as well. I have an alignment problem with the bones in my leg–it’s hard to describe without seeing it, but that is what the x-rays show and it’s pretty easy to spot “with the naked eye” as well. As for sitting, I _have_ to sit on my feet or similar. It’s the only way I’m comfortable in the slightest. I even sit on my feet in the car (except when I’m driving, of course) and in restaurants and stuff. I think it started because I have such low blood pressure that my feet and legs tend to fall asleep if I sit with my feet on the floor, so I just got used to having them up. At the moment I’m sitting on my left foot, with my right foot next to my left calf and my right knee tucked sort of into my right armpit. I know it doesn’t help my knees, but I’d rather have periodic severe knee pain than constant discomfort and legs falling asleep. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/25 "2003-12-11T12:14:53Z")
I’ve got all y’all beat. I once threw my back out trying to hold in a fart in the light bulb section at Wal-Mart. Taught me a lesson. Now I just let’em fly. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/26 "2003-12-11T14:42:04Z")
I once threw my back out picking up a Kleenex off the floor. Couldn’t walk for 2 days afterward. ---
**Author:** ![yawndave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@yawndave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawndave)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/27 "2003-12-11T21:03:35Z")
I witnessed a roomate throw out his back while making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/28 "2003-12-12T03:09:09Z")
**Opal** - Well your limbs fall asleep due to nerve compression/suppression not usually d/t low blood pressure. How about a foot stool or little ottoman under the desk? I would talk to a Occupational Therapist about it. You basicly admit it: you don’t know how to sit without hurting your legs. What’s the problem gonna be like in 10 years? Ooops, not to get preachy 😉 But honestly, sitting and legs are important. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/29 "2003-12-12T03:11:22Z")
ps- I was the guy in my shower example. My neck was killing me for a month and a half. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/30 "2003-12-12T06:14:26Z")
Explain why my feet fall asleep if I stand for long periods of time, then…? I do have a stool under my desk and I can sometimes use that and not be too uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/31 "2003-12-12T06:25:49Z")
One time when working at a law office summarizing depositions, I saw a statement from an occupational injury expert who said he saw a guy throw his back up simply reaching for a screwdriver at work. So yeah, the toothbrush thing could happen. Plus, on the surface her excuse sounds so LAME that is has to be true. Surely nobody would be dumb enough to use a toothbrushing injury as an excuse if they were lying, no? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/32 "2003-12-12T20:12:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Opal said:\*Explain why my feet fall asleep if I stand for long periods of time, then…? Sorry, my telekenetic powers are on the fritz. 😉 As I said, what is normally called “falling asleep” ie numbed tingly feeling is usually caused by nerve compression or damage. My WAG is that, perhaps due to your abnormal anatomy, you have some sort of intermittent nerve compression in the knee area. Tests can be done to measure nerve conductivity. See an OT or a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Dave11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dave11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave11)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/33 "2014-05-22T14:00:41Z")
Definitely possible as it has happened to me this morning!!! May have been leaning too far on one side, felt a pain as if i had pulled a muscle on my right side, slowly stood up straight and within 60 seconds could not stand straight. (couldnt stand at all!!!) It has been 6 hours since, and glad to say i can walk ok now, albeit awkwardly and slowly, but still do not have full range of movement. So i would say it is definitely true that you can hurt your back cleaning your teeth. ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/34 "2014-05-22T14:22:50Z")
I am glad I’m not alone in this. There is nothing worse than suddenly feeling that sharp spasm and knowing you’re going to be laid up and in agony for the next several days (or weeks). I always have a moment of complete denial, thinking “Oh no, that did NOT just happen”. Then I spend five minutes berating myself for doing whatever action caused the spasm. The last time my back went out I was reaching for a pen that fell on the floor. Then there’s the post-injury shuffle, where you’re no longer in pain but move like a robot whose batteries are just about dead, terrified you’ll reinjure yourself. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LaurenIpsum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@LaurenIpsum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaurenIpsum)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/35 "2014-05-22T14:42:49Z")
> [@Dave11](#): > > Definitely possible as it has happened to me this morning!!! May have been leaning too far on one side, felt a pain as if i had pulled a muscle on my right side, slowly stood up straight and within 60 seconds could not stand straight. (couldnt stand at all!!!) It has been 6 hours since, and glad to say i can walk ok now, albeit awkwardly and slowly, but still do not have full range of movement. So i would say it is definitely true that you can hurt your back cleaning your teeth. I’m sure the OP will be glad to hear this… 11 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/36 "2014-05-22T14:48:56Z")
“Move the brush around your mouth, not your head around the brush!” ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/37 "2014-05-22T22:53:42Z")
> [@Dave11](#): > > Definitely possible as it has happened to me this morning!!! May have been leaning too far on one side. Straw which broke the camel’s back. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948/38 "2014-05-23T14:28:56Z")
I’ve had sciatica ever since falling sideways on a patch of ice in '89. I’ve been put out of commission for a day by bending over to wash my hands. I’ve even put my back out by taking a leak! Near as I can figure, moving from the bowl to the sink turned my hips just the right way to really throw that nerve out of whack. Could not sit at all for about 24 hours - good thing I didn’t need to take a shit - and could barely lie down for 72. Then I remembered I had a back brace and finally got a good night’s sleep. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-injury-from-brushing-teeth/217948.md?page=1)