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Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka Shares Tips for Lifting Safely to Prevent Back Pain

Have you heard how lifting can be hard on a low back? If you are a Sitka chiropractic patient with low back pain, you have! You’ve likely even experienced it personally. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka explains proper lifting techniques with our back pain patients in the beginning of treatment. It is essential to keep the spine protected while it heals! New studies report that back supports and even hand support techniques while lifting can help.

MECHANICAL LOADING DURING LIFTING

Mechanical loading is a major risk factor for low back pain. The loading may be from a heavy or light object that triggers Sitka back pain. Much of how the pain comes on is due to how the back muscles act during the lift. Newly designed “exoskeletons” are being explored. They go beyond a back brace but show some promise in decreasing lumbar flexion and decreasing the compressive force on the back by 13-21% while bending. Peak compressive force during lifting was lowered by 14%. The researchers are hopeful that such devices could reduce the risk of compression-related tissue failure while lifting. (1) For now, Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka focuses on what is accessible today to help our Sitka back pain patients control their back pain once the pain is diminished by controlling their spine-related motions.

CHIROPRACTIC LIFTING TIPS

It would seem that there would be a huge difference in spine action between picking up a pencil and lifting a crate, but there isn’t much difference when it comes to how the low back responds during lifting. Crazy! Researchers explored how most people pick things up off the floor – with a hand on a thigh for support – made a difference. They proposed that it would result in decreased load on the back. The volunteers lifted two types of things - a pencil and a crate - off the floor with researchers noting every move and muscle response. Getting the pencil with a hand on a thigh for support while bending over reduced the average peak total stresses by 17 to 25% (depending on the lifting method). Hand support while lifting the crate dropped the peak total stresses by 13-19% for one-handed lifting and 14-26% for two-handed lifting. (2) Hand support during lifting may protect the low back. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka has some other approaches to limit spinal stress during lifting to control Sitka back pain and its recurrence: support belts to exercise to spinal manipulation to back school. It is a comprehensive treatment plan you will want to embrace!

CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka

Listen to the PODCAST with Dr. Matthew Alexander on the Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the effectiveness and gentleness of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for his patient with spinal stenosis and low back pain.                                       

Schedule your next Sitka chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka. Lifting can stress the low back. Chiropractic care alleviates the stress on the low back for back pain relief.  Call us today!

 
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka presents research on lifting’s risks for triggering back pain as well as ways to avoid it.  
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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."