Thursday, March 28, 2013

How to Lift Properly


Proper Lifting Techniques 
Lifting objects improperly can cause a strain on the back, arms and legs. Using poor lifting techniques can not only lead to strains, it can also cause serious injuries. Use these techniques to avoid injury.
1.   Before you lift the object think about the object you are lifting. You should know how heavy the object. Knowing how heavy it is will help know how much lifting you need to do. It will also prevent you from making any weird and sudden movements. Know where you are taking the object. Your path should be clear of any obstacles.
2.   Lift the object close to your body. You should have a firm grasp of the object and it should be close to the body. Doing this will make your lifting more stable.
3.   Keep your feet shoulder width apart, doing so will keep you stable. If your feet are close together, you may become unstable and fall. Make sure to also take short steps while you walk with the object.
4.   Keep the back straight and bend at your knees. Just like you should know what you are lifting before you lift it, you should also practice the motion of lifting the object. Pretend you are lifting the object and concentrate on the motion you want to take before you actually do it.
5.   Always lift with your legs, there are a lot stronger then you think. While bending at the knees and keeping your back straight, lift the object.
6.   If you are one that needs to lift objects often, try using a back support. Doing so will help you keep your posture aligned.
Using these techniques can prevent you from straining yourself, but if the object is too heavy look for help. It is better to ask someone to help you then having to spend time in the emergency room. If you do use someone to help you lift the object, make sure you are both on the same page. Lift the object at the same time and in same way; decide the path you will take before you move the object.


Photo credit: DuBoix from morguefile.com

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