Tips from a PT: How to Lift Objects Properly and Safely

[Mark_ABH]

You might have seen Hidden offer some tips for exercise and physical activity on other threads on this forum. Melissa is a Peer Educator for American Bone Health and a licensed physical therapist with more than 20 years' experience. She has been kind enough to offer some tips for activities that you can try at home. We will also be posting these along with video clips on the American Bone Health website.

First off, Melissa explains the safe way to lift small and larger objects.

2 hand lift

1. Stand with feet hip width or greater apart.

2. Start down movement by moving hips backwards like you are going to sit in a low chair.

3. This should allow you to reach reach box without rounding your back.

4. Straighten hips and lift box in one movement.

Common mistakes are standing with feet close together and bending knees toward the box. This will put stress on knees and round back over box and can cause pain in the knees and back.

1 hand lift

1. Place one hand on sturdy surface

2. Lift leg on same side

3. Have slight bend in standing leg

4. Pivot over hip to reach item.

Reverse to place item onto floor.

[HeronNS]

This will rapidly get lost as it drops down the posts. Any chance you could have a folder or something in the pinned posts where the helpful tips could be more easily found? I don't know if it's possible to create a folder of posts, but maybe one could be pinned, and a way to search for the others embedded in that post?

Just a thought.

[Mark_ABH in reply to HeronNS]

That's a good idea! I'll see if we can create a folder for useful tips.