Why Your Chiropractor Hates Ladders
As a chiropractor who treats injuries frequently, I hate ladders. I see the aftermath of “I’ll just be up there for a second” all the time. It’s usually not a dramatic construction-site accident. It’s normal people doing normal things. Common culprits include cleaning gutters, hanging Christmas lights, painting, reaching “just one more spot”, or standing on a chair instead of grabbing the ladder they should’ve used in the first place.
Suddenly they’re in my office barely able to walk, nursing a shoulder injury, or dealing with pain that lingers for months. Sometimes it’s much worse.
The problem with ladders is that they create a false sense of confidence. People use them all the time without incident… until the one moment something shifts. A foot slips. The ground is uneven. You lean too far. The dog runs by. You miss a step on the way down. Gravity wins every time.
What makes ladder injuries especially frustrating is how preventable many of them are. Most people aren’t taking huge risks — they’re just rushing, distracted, or overestimating their balance and coordination.
When I say ladder, I’m also including any type of step stool. These can be just as dangerous, often because we use less caution with them than a tall ladder.
A few simple habits can dramatically reduce your chances of getting hurt:
Always place the ladder on stable, level ground
Don’t use the top step unless the ladder is specifically designed for it
Keep three points of contact whenever possible (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand)
Never lean sideways to reach something — climb down and reposition instead
Wear shoes with good traction
Avoid ladder work when you’re tired, in a hurry, or carrying awkward/heavy items
Have someone nearby if possible
And honestly? If something feels sketchy, it probably is.
One thing I wish more people understood is that ladder injuries become significantly more dangerous with age. Balance, reaction time, vision, flexibility, and bone density all change over time — even in healthy, active adults.
People always ask me: “At what age should someone stop using ladders?” There’s not a magic number. I know 75-year-olds who are steadier than some 40-year-olds. But realistically, once someone gets into their late 60s or 70s, they should seriously reconsider doing any unnecessary ladder work — especially if they live alone, take medications that affect balance, have osteoporosis, prior falls, dizziness, joint replacements, or even mild mobility issues.
There’s also the “weekend warrior” effect. People spend all week sitting at a desk, then suddenly spend Saturday climbing ladders, lifting furniture, hauling boxes, and doing overhead work for hours. Your body notices.
As chiropractors, we often end up treating the secondary effects of falls:
Neck pain
Rib dysfunction
Low back injuries
Shoulder problems
Headaches
Hip pain
Muscle guarding and spasms
Even when nothing is technically “broken,” the body can take a significant hit.
So this is your reminder from your friendly chiropractor: Please respect ladders.
Use the right equipment. Take your time. Don’t balance on weird objects. Don’t stretch farther than you should. And if your spouse tells you to stop doing something dangerous… they’re probably right.
I’d much rather see you for wellness care than because you tried to clean the gutters in flip-flops.
Dr. Nathan