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Why Lifting Wrong Is More Than a Pain in the Back

By Chris Brown

We've all been there. Lifting a box that's just a little heavier than we thought, feeling a sharp sting ricochet up the spine. Next thing you know, bending or twisting results in your back seizing up with severe pain. Lifting injuries can result in weeks of painful, frustrating, and costly lost activity. While there are treatments available if injured, injuries can be avoided all together by lifting with proper form.

What is Correct Lifting Form?

Correct lifting form can be summarized in four words: Always use your legs. The correct form, according to the Mayo Clinic, is to kneel or squat with the object centered in front of you and lift from near ground level with your back straight and upright. Never lift an object by bending from a standing position. Correct lifting puts the brunt of weight on the body's largest muscles, rather than relying upon its weaker back and arms.

In addition, the following tips can further reduce injury risk.

  • Move as close to the object as possible before lifting
  • Use a squatting, rather than kneeling, position for lifting extra heavy objects
  • If an object is too heavy, find a partner to help
  • Keep the lower back naturally upright by tightening your stomach muscles throughout the lift
  • Look ahead and upwards, rather than down
  • Lift in a smooth, instead of jerking, motion
  • Avoid turning or twisting while lifting

What Happens When Lifting is Done Incorrectly?

Ignoring proper lifting techniques can cause potentially serious back and spinal problems. At its worst, vertebrae or discs could be shifted out of alignment and hit nerves in the spinal column. Even lifting lighter objects incorrectly can cause back strain, which may take weeks to heal. You would much rather strain a quadricep then go through the arduous recovery process of a spinal injury, so lift with those legs.

How Do I Fix a Lifting Injury?

More serious back injuries may require surgery to fix, but most can be helped by seeking a chiropractor to realign the spine and facilitate the correct healing of support muscles.

For solutions to back injuries, consult the doctors at The Joint Chiropractic. They can assess the severity of the injury and treatment required at an affordable, walk-in consultation. No medical insurance is accepted, so come in today and ease the pain.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.

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