So this week I was at a retail store where they were gearing up to do inventory. They asked me to come in to review safe lifting techniques – which by the way is a great idea. Although many people have been taught this along the way it is always good to review. And I find that the more people you get information from the more you remember and you tend to learn a different little tip from each source.
So I thought it may be a good idea to review. Just this week I have had a patient move homes, another continue to pack and go through things to move homes, patients travelling, and patients who work in retail or warehouses who lift regularly. Also there are the rest of us who continually lift and carry throughout our days: small children, bags and boxes for work, groceries, hockey bags you name it and we lift it. (does the question ‘hey doc why does my back hurt?’ seem a bit more clear cut now? Ya life is full of busy and we are hard on our bodies… this stuff is cumulative and one day when you bend over the bathroom sink to brush your teeth you can’t stand back up. Toothbrush too heavy? Nope. Just all of that catching up with you and the bending in the morning was the straw (or toothbrush) that broke the camel’s back so to speak). Ok so lets do our best to protect the camels shall we? (the camel is you in case you were confused).
Lifting tips and rules to live by:
Before you lift anything brace your stomach muscles (see Brace2 video link below)
Bend at the knees not at the back
Keep the load as close to your body as possible
take breaks
share heavy or awkward loads with a partner
Do not twist while lifting
Here is a helpful poster I found on line:
Also for smaller items try the golfer’s lift – see video link below !