Richmond Back Pain-Preventing Lifting Techniques
Lifting an object off the ground seems like a simple task for most folks. It is one we do every day typically without question. Johnson Chiropractic hears stories every day about how difficult it is to pick something up off the ground or how getting a simple pencil up off the ground triggered the worst back pain. Our Richmond 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 hints in mind can potentially limit stress on the low back.
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-documented. Squat lifting seems to be the one most report is optimal. One set of researchers shared some odd findings though: squat lift training did not stop low back pain and stoop lifting is not a risk factor for low back pain. How do these two findings reckon with suitable lifting for back pain prevention and management? They proposed that the lifting posture that is proper for each person must be individualized as each lifting posture possesses its own biomechanical and kinematic patterns for muscle activation making particular lifting postures better for particular patients. Researchers explained that stoop lifting was more metabolically efficient and less challenging to the cardiopulmonary system. This set of researchers further suggested working with each individual client on the proper lifting technique suitable for his/her body and lifting situation following the “calm tissue down, build tissue up, improve work capacity” system. (1) Johnson Chiropractic typically looks at each of our Richmond 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 technique known as BATT (a braced arm to thigh, one-handed lifting method to pick up 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 too contrasted with unsupported lifting techniques. (2) That is an easy lifting tip we know our Richmond 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 greater lumbar spine lordosis range of motion and produced lower total and compressive lumbar loads than squat lifting (except at L5S1 where anterior shear loads were higher) and freestyle lifting. (3) Therefore slow down when lifting. Use your quads to squat lift. (If they are not very strong, let’s talk about strengthening them!)
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses 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 Richmond chiropractic appointment with Johnson Chiropractic today. When effortless tasks like lifting objects off the floor become problematic, know that Johnson Chiropractic is ready to help find a way to make them better and easier for you and your spine!
