Lifting something off the ground appears to
be a simple task for most people. It is a
task we do every day typically without hesitation. Clients at Moses Chiropractic share these types
of stories daily about how hard
it is to pick something up off the ground or how reaching
for a simple pencil up off the ground triggered the
worst back pain. Our West Palm Beach chiropractic patients tell us stories like this! Strengthening the quads with exercise as part of our chiropractic services, and lifting slowly and
with a few tips in mind can help
minimize stress on the spine.
LIFTING TECHNIQUES
When it comes to posture, lifting is a notorious risk factor for
low back pain. Lifting techniques like the stoop/lifting with the back,
squat/lifting with the legs, and semi-squat/a mix of the other two are well-studied.
Squat lifting seems to be the one most report is optimal. One group
of researchers discussed some odd findings
though: squat lift training did not prevent low back
pain and stoop lifting is not a risk factor for low back pain. How
do these two findings contribute to the
discussion of proper lifting for back pain
prevention and management? They suggested that the lifting
posture right for each person must be personalized
as each lifting posture has its own biomechanical and kinematic
patterns for muscle activation making certain lifting postures better for certain patients.
Researchers explained that stoop lifting was more
metabolically efficient and less challenging to the cardiopulmonary system. This
set of researchers also suggested working with
each individual client on the proper lifting technique suitable
for his/her body and lifting situation using the “calm tissue
down, build tissue up, improve work capacity” system. (1) Moses Chiropractic usually
looks at each of our West Palm Beach chiropractic patients and offers
ideas on managing and preventing back pain with exercise and other approaches.
A COUPLE TIPS ON LIFTING
There are a few techniques
that may help us all when lifting. A special lifting trick
known as BATT (a braced arm to thigh, one-handed lifting
method to retrieve objects with the dominant hand) substantially decreased
low back loading while lifting items of 2 to 10 kg. Trunk flexion
angles were significantly reduced. Compressive and anterior-posterior
shear forces were significantly lower as well compared
with unsupported lifting techniques. (2) That is an easy lifting
tip we know our West Palm Beach chiropractic clients|we can all do! Lifting
slowly is another idea that is said to
lower loads on the lumbar spine.
Stoop lifting had a larger lumbar spine lordosis range of motion
and created lower total and compressive lumbar loads than squat
lifting (except at L5S1 where anterior shear loads were greater) and
freestyle lifting. (3) So slow down when lifting. Use your quads to squat lift.
(If they’re not very strong, let’s talk about strengthening them!)
CONTACT Moses Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes care of
a man with a disc herniation among other conditions for which The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management of spinal manipulation assisted in his relief.
Schedule your West Palm Beach chiropractic appointment
with Moses Chiropractic today. When simple tasks like lifting objects
off the floor become difficult, know that
Moses Chiropractic is ready to help find a way to make them
better and easier for you and your spine!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."