Either put one knee on the ground or assume a squatting position, and use your arms and legs to move the object up close to the opposite thigh. Stand up and keep your back straight. Never bend at the waist while lifting.
When lifting, always maneuver the object close to your body, and use the strength in your legs to get the object off the ground, rather than using the muscles of your low back.
Have you ever heard of anyone straining a thigh muscle while lifting? Probably not. That is because the muscles in the legs are made to lift; they are longer, stronger and more resistant to strain. The muscles and ligaments in the back are shorter and prone to muscle spasm, especially if used for lifting. The back muscles are designed to be used for posture, not for lifting.
Start with one knee on the floor, use the strength of your arms to raise the object up onto your mid-thigh, then use the power of your legs to stand up. An alternate method is to bend both knees in a squatting position, grasp the object keeping fingers underneath it, keep your back erect and stand up. In both examples, use your leg muscles, not your back, to generate the lifting force.
Want to hear more about lifting and other everyday tasks? Feel free to comment and ask questions and we’ll get them answered for you!
Dr. Thomas Grace