“Back Preservation”
Lifting-The Forces Involved.
The amount of force you place on your back in lifting may surprise you!
Think of your back as a lever. With the fulcrum in the centre, it only takes ten pounds of pressure to lift a ten pound object.
If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much more force to lift the same object. Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a lever system, on a 10:1 ratio.
Lifting a ten pound object puts 100 pounds of pressure on your lower back.
When you add in the 105 pounds of the average human upper torso, you see that lifting a ten pound object actually puts 1,150 pounds of pressure on the lower back.
If you were 25 pounds overweight, it would add an additional 250 pounds of pressure on your back every time you bend over.
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Anytime you find yourself doing one of these things, you should think: DANGER! My back is at risk!
Prevent Back Injuries
Use proper lift procedures. Follow these steps when lifting:
Help Your Back
Exercises to Help Your Back
Wall slides to strengthen your muscles:
Stand with your back against a wall, feet shoulder-width apart. Slide down into a crouch with knees bent to 90 degrees. Count to 5 and slide back up the wall. Repeat 5 times.
Leg raises to strengthen back and hip muscles:
Lie on your stomach. Tighten muscles in one leg and raise leg from floor. Hold for count of 10, and return leg to floor.
Do the same with your other leg. Repeat five times with each leg.
Lie on back, arms at your sides. Lift one leg off floor and hold for count of ten. Do the same with the other leg.
Repeat 5 times with each leg. If this is too difficult…keep one knee bent and the foot flat on the floor while raising the other leg.
Leg raises while seated:
Sit upright, legs straight and extended at an angle to floor. Lift one leg waist high. Slowly return to floor. Do the same with the other leg. Repeat 5 times with each leg.
Exercises to Decrease the Strain on Your Back
Take care of your back…And it will take care of you!
“By creating giants of others, you become one yourself.” — Eric Allenbaugh
Thanks for the share, TO!
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