| Many times patients arrive at my chiropractic | | | | • Bend at the knees, keeping your back |
| office in Springfield, VA with lower back pain that | | | | straight, until you can comfortably get your hands |
| presented itself after lifting a heavy object. Using | | | | under the object. |
| incorrect lifting techniques can cause injury | | | | • Keep the object as close to your body as |
| resulting in sudden and severe pain. Without a | | | | you can so you are not extending your reach. |
| doubt, this type of injury can almost always be | | | | Extending your reach will put pressure on your |
| prevented if proper lifting techniques had been | | | | lower back even if you are bent at the knees. |
| used. | | | | • Lean back slightly, this will help with your |
| Unless your line of work requires a lot of lifting | | | | balance. Straighten up using the muscles in your |
| such as nursing, warehouse work, retail stocking, | | | | legs to lift yourself up and using a smooth, steady |
| etc. it is entirely possible that you have not had | | | | motion. |
| the opportunity to learn how to lift objects in a | | | | • If the object is very heavy, lift it to your |
| way that will protect your back. Hopefully, if you | | | | knees and rest it there before straightening up. |
| are in a line of work in which a lot of lifting is | | | | • To turn with the load in your arms, use |
| required, you have been trained on how to | | | | your feet. In other words, do not twist your |
| protect your back when lifting. For the rest of | | | | torso. |
| you, this article will explain the proper way to lift | | | | Of special concern to me are those who have |
| heavy objects to avoid injury. | | | | already developed recurring back problems. It is |
| Never bend over at the waist to lift something; in | | | | my practice to always advise these patients to |
| fact you should make it a habit not to bend over | | | | seek help when lifting. I am well aware that this is |
| at the waist at all because this will put | | | | not always possible. If this is the case for you, it |
| unnecessary pressure on your lower back. | | | | is even more important that you develop a |
| Minimize the risk of injury and damage using the | | | | proper lifting technique. |
| following lifting technique: | | | | In addition to using a proper lifting technique, it is |
| • Immediately before you lift and right after | | | | also important to work on your core muscles |
| you are done lifting you want to stand upright and | | | | such as your abdominals and gluteals to develop a |
| bend backward five or six times. This ensures | | | | strong lower back. Consciously implementing this |
| that any distortion in the curve of your lower | | | | type of lifting technique and developing a strong |
| back is worked out. | | | | core has the potential to make a pronounced |
| • Stand close to the object you are going to | | | | difference in your life particularly if you suffer |
| lift. Don't have your feet together; use a wider | | | | from chronic lower back pain. |
| stance for balance and support. | | | | |