The Health Hazards of DIY Moving: Why Medical Professionals Recommend Removalists
Moving house. It’s a phrase that can send shivers down the spine of even the most organised person. The boxes, the packing tape, the endless lists – it’s enough to make anyone want to curl up in a ball and pretend it’s not happening. But beyond the stress and chaos, there’s a hidden danger lurking in the world of DIY moving that many of us overlook: the risk to our health. It’s no wonder that medical professionals often recommend hiring professional removalists to handle the heavy lifting.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Come off it, mate! How dangerous can it be to chuck a few boxes in the back of a ute? Why bother with professional removalists?” Well, let me tell you a story that might change your mind and have you reaching for the phone to call a removalist company faster than you can say “slipped disc”.
A Cautionary Tale
Picture this: It’s a scorching hot Saturday in Sydney. My mate Dave, bless him, decided he was going to save a few dollarydoos by moving his entire three-bedroom house by himself. “No worries,” he said. “I’ve got muscles to spare!”
Fast forward 12 hours, and there’s poor Dave, flat on his back in the emergency room, with a slipped disc and more bruises than a bag of dropped peaches. The doctors shook their heads, muttering about “amateur movers” and “preventable injuries”.
Dave’s story isn’t unique. In fact, according to a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, DIY moving is responsible for a significant number of preventable injuries each year. The research showed that back injuries, in particular, spike during peak moving seasons [1].
But it’s not just about throwing your back out. Oh no, the health risks of DIY moving go far beyond a bit of back pain. Let’s break it down, shall we?