How to lift and bend

Return to Index Step 1: What Is Low Back Pain? Step 2: Know Your Back Anatomy Step 3: Causes of Low Back Pain Step 4: Are You At Risk? Step 5: What To Do When Pain Begins Step 6: Seeing Your Doctor Step 7: What Tests Might Be Ordered? Step 8: When Is Low Back Pain A Serious Sign? Step 9: Exercise and Physical Therapy Step 10: Change Your Work Habits Step 11: Medications Step 12: Other Treatments Key Points MedTest Glossary

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To prevent back pain, follow these tips for how to lift and bend:

If an object is too heavy or awkward, get help.
Spread your feet apart to give a wide base of support.
Stand as close to the object you are lifting as possible.
Bend at your knees, not at your waist.
Tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the object up or lower it down.
Hold the object as close to your body as you can.
Lift using your leg and buttock muscles.
As you stand up with the object, don't bend forward.
Do not twist while you are bending for the object, lifting it up, or carrying it.

Review Date: 6/29/2011
Reviewed By: Andrew W. Piasecki, MD, Camden Bone and Joint, LLC, Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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