Improper lifting can land you in the chiropractor’s office with acute back pain. Dr. Zev Mellman, a chiropractor in Davie, Florida, offers the following lifting tips to help you avoid painful back injuries.
Don’t bend your back when lifting. Instead, bend from the knees, not from the waist. That way your legs will do the heavy lifting. Pay attention, though: Just bending the knees won’t ensure a safe lift. You might still curve your back. A study of female health workers in Denmark revealed the women were 1.63 times more likely to develop back pain if they bent forward while lifting.
Pushing your chest out should guarantee that your back remains straight.
Don’t twist your body when you lift. Keep your shoulders in line with your hips. If you need to change direction, move your hips first. That will keep your shoulders in line with your hips. Also, make sure your feet are flat on the floor under your torso.
Keep the object close to your body when lifting. The farther it is from your center of gravity, the more force it takes to hold the object up. If you need to lift something that’s above your head, find a step-stool or a ladder. If the object is at shoulder height, it will place less stress on your back.
Don’t lift an object until you know where you’re going to place it. That way, you won’t be holding the object as long.
Keep your elbows bent while lifting. That way, your arms and shoulders retain the brunt of the weight, rather than risk your back.
Don’t be macho. If you can’t lift the object easily, ask for help or use a dolly. To test the object, try pushing it with your foot. If you can’t shift it easily, you need help.
Three kinds of injuries typically result from poor lifting:
Spinal misalignments, where a vertebrae has shifted out of its proper place
Injury to the joints and their surrounding tissues
Strained or torn back muscles
If you are experiencing back pain, consider a visit to Chiropractic Spinal Hygiene Center, specializing in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP). CBP focuses on optimal spine and postural changes, designed to lead to a significant decrease in your symptoms.
Chiropractic BioPhysics is the most scientific, researched and results-oriented corrective chiropractic technique. Chiropractic Spinal Hygiene Center in Davie, Florida, is among only a handful of chiropractic centers specializing in CBP.
If you live in the Davie, Florida, area, contact us today for a complimentary chiropractic consultation to see if you qualify for corrective care.