Dos and Don’ts of Lifting, Part 2

Last week, we enumerated the Don’ts when lifting objects. Now let’s discuss the Dos:

• Wear good support shoes, not sandals or high heels.
• Plant your feet squarely and stand close to the object you plan to lift.
• Bend at the knees and assume a crouching position,
• Keep your back as sraight as possible.
• Pull in your abdominal muscles and tuck in your buttocks.
• Rely on the leg muscles to bear the weight.
• Hold the object very close to your body.
• Keep your knees bent as you lift.
• Lift slowly and gradually.
• Get help if the object is too heavy or large for one person to handle.
• Consider using a dolly or other device to move a heavy object.

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com