The Right Way to Lift Your Luggage
By Sara Butler
It’s that time of year again – time to travel! Many people travel throughout the holiday season and get more than they bargained for in the form of backaches and pains. While everyone wishes they could have a travel chiropractor (though The Joint happens to have more than 350 locations nationwide), there are some steps you can take to help you keep back pain from ruining your holiday. Here are a few tips to help you handle your luggage as you travel!
The Facts
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are about 54,000 luggage-related injuries every year! Holiday travel is taxing and stressful, and if you’re lugging around some heavy bags, it can make it even worse. If you lift or carry luggage the wrong way, then you can injure your back, neck, wrist, or shoulder. So, it makes sense to take steps to avoid these baggage hazards.
Tips to Carry Luggage Safely
If you want to stay healthy and not become a luggage injury statistic, then you need to remember the following tips:
- New luggage - When you buy new bags, make sure you choose something that is lightweight and sturdy, with an adjustable handle and wheels so you can pull it along with you.
- Try not to over-pack – This is easier said than done for sure, but if you can carry along just a few smaller bags instead of a few large ones that weigh a ton, then you can reduce your chance of injury. Just make sure you check with the airline to find out what their restrictions on carry-on luggage are.
- Bend at the knees – Just as with anything else you pick up, you should never bend over and use your back to lift. Instead, kneel and use the power of your knees and hips to lift, keeping your bag as close to your body as possible.
- Storing in overhead compartments – On the airplane, make sure you take care when lifting things to store them. The best thing to do is lift the luggage up to the top of the seat. Then, lift the bag up from there to place in the overhead bin.
- Slow down – If you can help it, you should try to avoid rushing around with your luggage. If you suddenly twist or change direction you could end up injuring yourself!
If you happen to hurt yourself when you’re away from home, chances are The Joint is nearby to help you out. Don’t be afraid to come on in and see a chiropractor at any convenient location of The Joint Chiropractic!