West Des Moines Back Pain-Preventing Lifting Techniques

Lifting something off the ground seems like a simple task for most people. It’s a task we do every day typically without hesitation. Clients at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa share these kinds 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 precipitated the worst back pain. Our West Des Moines chiropractic patients share common 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 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 discussed 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 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 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 suggested working with each individual patient 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) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa typically looks at each of our West Des Moines 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 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 reduced low back loading during lifting items of 2 to 10 kg. Trunk flexion angles were significantly decreased. 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 West Des Moines chiropractic clients|we can all do! Lifting slowly is another idea that 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 higher) 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!)

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Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tyler Lomnicki on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses treatment of a man with a disc herniation among other conditions for which The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management of spinal manipulation contributed to his relief. 

Schedule your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment with Executive Chiropractic of Iowa today. When simple tasks like lifting objects off the floor become problematic, know that Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is here to help find a way to make them better and easier for you and your spine!

 
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"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."