Lifting something off the ground appears to
be a simple task for most people. It is a
task we do every day mostly without question. Clients at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries share these types
of stories daily about how difficult
it is to pick something up off the ground or how picking up a simple pencil up off the ground triggered the
worst back pain. Our Manchester 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 potentially limit stress on the low back.
LIFTING TECHNIQUES
When it comes to posture, lifting is a renowned 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 shared some odd findings
though: squat lift training did not 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 proposed that the lifting
posture that is proper for each person must be individualized
as each lifting posture offers its own biomechanical and kinematic
patterns for muscle activation which make 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 recommended 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) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries typically
looks at each of our Manchester chiropractic patients and presents
ideas on managing and preventing back pain with exercise and other approaches.
A COUPLE TIPS ON LIFTING
There are a few methods
that may help us all when lifting. A special lifting technique
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 too contrasted
with unsupported lifting techniques. (2) That is a simple lifting
tip we know our Manchester chiropractic clients|we can all do! Another is lift slowly which reportedly lowered loads on the lumbar spinal elements.
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) So slow down when lifting. Use your quads to squat lift.
(If they are not very strong, let’s talk about strengthening them!)
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes treatment 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 Manchester chiropractic appointment
with Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries today. When simple tasks like lifting objects
off the floor become difficult, know that
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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."