This is an article written by Dr. Matt Ramirez, a Chiropractic at Salt Lake City who specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
Many people hurt their
back by trying to move large, heavy furniture, which can happen even to big
burly guys. Lifting furniture the wrong way can cause serious back injury that
can take weeks or even years to heal; however, there are ways of doing it that
are safer for your back. Following are a few tips:
1) Lift from the legs – Probably the most commonly-known
technique for lifting heavy objects, this is a procedure still too often
neglected. Squat in front of the piece of furniture you are moving, then, while
keeping your stomach muscles tightened, grip the furniture securely and stand
up by using your leg muscles. Be sure to avoid bending over as you stand up and
try to keep your back as vertical as possible.
2) Wear gloves – Gloves allow for a better grip on the
furniture you are lifting, in addition to helping avoid splinters and cuts from
sharp edges.
3) Get help – Have another person help you. Two people
moving a piece of furniture halves the weight and makes it easier to move, with
less risk of damaging your back or the piece of furniture.
4) Use a dolly, hand truck or other sliding device – A dolly
is an easy way to move a large piece of furniture if you have to go any
distance. All you have to do is lift the furniture onto the dolly and off you
go. If you just intend to move the furniture to the other side of the room,
however, you can either slip some old pieces of carpet under the legs and slide
it, if the floor is smooth, such as on linoleum, or if the furniture is on
carpet you can purchase a set of furniture sliders for about $12 that will
allow you to easily slide the furniture over carpeting.
5) Wear a back brace – Many professional moving companies
require their employees to use a back brace when working. It gives extra
support to both your lower back and abdominal muscles, and allows your back to
move as one unit, making sure there is not any one area of your back doing all
the work. They are inexpensive and can be found in most department stores.
6) Stretch your back before moving – Stretching will warm up
your muscles and help prevent injury. Start by stretching your arms up above
your head, then bring your arms down and bend forward, starting by dropping
your head to your chest, then bending vertebrae by vertebrae, letting your arms
hang limply. Don’t bounce when you reach the bottom, just let your weight
gently stretch out your back. Remain there for about 30 seconds, then come up,
again, vertebrae by vertebrae.
By following these simple suggestions, you can help avoid
damage to your back. But be aware of your own limitations. If something is too
heavy for you, it is far less expensive to hire a professional to move it than
to pay the medical bills associated with a back injury.
Good health is a combination of many factors including your
nutrition, preventative care, appropriate corrective care and the small choices
you make every day in the course of living. If you have questions about this
article, your general or spinal health, please ask. We are here to help!
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