Augusta Back Pain-Preventing Lifting Techniques
Lifting an object off the ground appears to be a simple task for most folks. It’s a task we do every day typically without question. Clients at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic share these kinds of stories daily about how difficult it is to pick something up off the ground or how reaching for a simple pencil up off the ground precipitated the worst back pain. Our Augusta 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 group of researchers presented some odd findings though: squat lift training didn’t stop low back pain and stoop lifting isn’t a risk factor for low back pain. How do these two findings contribute to the discussion of appropriate lifting for back pain prevention and management? They suggested that the lifting posture that is proper for each person must be individualized as each lifting posture has its own biomechanical and kinematic patterns for muscle activation which make certain lifting postures better for certain patients. Researchers described 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 appropriate for his/her body and lifting situation using the “calm tissue down, build tissue up, improve work capacity” system. (1) Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic usually looks at each of our Augusta chiropractic patients and offers ideas on managing and preventing back pain with exercise and other approaches.
A COUPLE TIPS ON LIFTING
There are some methods that may support 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 during lifting items of 2 to 10 kg. Trunk flexion angles were significantly reduced. Compressive and anterior-posterior shear forces were significantly lower as well contrasted with unsupported lifting techniques. (2) That is an easy lifting tip we know our Augusta chiropractic clients|we can all do! Another is lift slowly which is said to lower loads on the lumbar spinal elements. 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) Therefore slow down when lifting. Use your quads to squat lift. (If they’re not very strong, let’s talk about strengthening them!)
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic
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 Augusta chiropractic appointment with Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic today. When effortless tasks like lifting objects off the floor become problematic, know that Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic is available to help find a way to make them better and easier for you and your spine!
