lift-icons-header

Lifting? Yes, you can!

Who says you will hurt your lower back from lifting? You won‘t - if you strengthen your back

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS WRONG LIFTING

We all know the situations in everyday life where we have to lift heavy objects or want to help others with some heavy lifting such as moving boxes, holding a child for a bit, carrying heavy furniture etc. But heavy lifting can take a toll on your lower back. It’s important to realise that this is not because we use an “incorrect” lifting technique. After all, why should lifting a moval box be more difficult than lifting a weight at your gym?

The important thing is to know that your body will tell you what it is capable of and how far it will cooperate. Also, there is no right or wrong way. Naturally, your body will use a logical and the most natural physical approach to lifting your load.

All you should really worry about and work on is strengthening your back! Throwing out your back or back sprain will only occur if your movements are unpracticed, or your back is untrained.
You can check out our suitable back strengthening exercises in our video library.
And follow some rules that might help you in everyday life.

lift-01
Lifting doesn‘t have to take a toll on your back
Back to top

BACK-SAVERS: LIFTING TIPS

The best thing you can do to for your back is to strenthen it through regular exercise.
Check our video library and work on that! Being reasonable about your lifting tasks
will also help:

1. Plan ahead before lifting heavier loads. Knowing what you‘re doing and where you‘re going will prevent you from making awkward movements while holding something heavy. Clear your path first, and if lifting something with another person, make sure both of you agree on the same plan and direction

PREVENT AWKWARD AND SUDDEN MOVEMENTS BY PLANNING AHEAD2. Test the load: A classic situation that will strain back muscles: trying to pick up boxes that you think are empty but are actually filled with books or CD’s. In order to find out how heavy the object is, you can try nudging a box with your foot first, or cautiously lift it by an inch first before really trying to lift it. If it is too heavy for you, don’t try to prove you can do it – just ask for some help.

lift-02
Plan ahead and try to avoid awkward movements
lift-03
See lifting as a workout
3. Dress for success: Wearing tight clothing can prevent you from using proper biomechanics such as bending your knees, especially when lifting. Try wearing loose-fitting clothing when you know you will be doing chores.
Back to top

YOU MIGHT WANT TO REDUCE...

If you are no lifting champion and you think your lower back isn‘t up to the challenge, check if you can minimise...

  1. The weight of the object. If your back isn‘t well equipped for the load, break the object up into smaller portions.

    lift-icons01
  2. The duration of your lifting activities. Injury is more likely to occur when you fatigued.
    lift-icons02
  3. The speed in which you lift - this is no race and there are no medals to be won.
    lift-icons03
  4. The distance the weight is to be carried. Ensure that the path is free from obstacles.
    lift-icons04
Back to top

OUCH… It hurts!

Strenuous physical activity often leads to muscle strains and discomfort

Moving apartments? Spring-cleaning? Any intense physical activity that you’re not used to doing can cause aches and pains - even standing for long hours can result muscle ache.

What can you do about it?


  1. Warm it up:

    If there is no swelling and you feel that the pain has mechanical causes, you can try to apply warmth. Heat is good for alleviating muscle tension and works well on hardened or knotted muscles. Try applying a Hansaplast ABC plaster on the affected area, it will provide sustained intense heat and at the same time block the transmission of pain.

    Warm it up: If there is no swelling and you feel that the pain has mechanical causes, you can try to apply warmth.  Heat is good will help alleviate muscle tension and works well in case of hardened or knotted muscles. Try applying a
    Warm it up: If there is no swelling and you feel that the pain has mechanical causes, you can try to apply warmth.  Heat is good will help alleviate muscle tension and works well in case of hardened or knotted muscles. Try applying a
    Warm it up: If there is no swelling and you feel that the pain has mechanical causes, you can try to apply warmth.  Heat is good will help alleviate muscle tension and works well in case of hardened or knotted muscles. Try applying a
    lift-back-in-pain01
  2. Or cool it down:

    You might want to try cooling the area with a cold pack(ice is a natural pain reliever and will work in case of swelling or bumps). Place it on the sore spot. If you feel that this helps, leave it on for no more than ten minutes each hour.


    lift-back-in-pain02
  3. Alternatively,

    give yourself a quick massage to loosen up and relax your muscles. Using a cooling gel after intense physical activity can help cool down and vitalise sore muscles. Hansaplast Sport Cooling Gel with Menthol & Caffeine offers 100% cooling care for your muscles. Remember, short breaks during periods of intense activity can stop muscles getting sore in the first place.

Back to top
If in doubt, always see a doctor...

Unless you are a medical professional, you will not be able to tell exactly where your back pain comes from. Knotted muscles will be alleviated by WARMTH, whereas COLD will help reduce acute symptoms of inflammatory pain, bumps and swelling. See what helps in your case and see a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.

5 GOLDEN TIPS THAT WILL HELP PREVENT BACK PAIN

The best way to take care of your spine and back is to prevent injury and strain instead of dealing with the aftermath.
So it’s a good idea to incorporate a few of these tips into your everyday life:

lift-5goldentips01

lift-5goldentips02

3. Walk away from it: Walking keeps your back healthy by conditioning your whole body. Its natural rhythm of contraction and relaxation of tension strengthens the postural muscles. A brisk stroll may also help your body release endorphins, hormones that subdue pain. Try walking or some other aerobic exercise for 20 minutes a day, three times a week. Swimming, cycling and running, yoga or Pilates are good, too.

4. Supported sleeping: Your mattress should provide proper support, be flat and even and not sag. A bed loses a tremendous amount of firmness as it ages. A mattress is like a pair of shoes. It may suit your needs at one time, but it wears out as time goes by. Invest in a good one. Usually medium is better that very hard. But test what suits you best before you buy, whether it’s soft or hard that you prefer. A good indication is sleeping more comfortably in a specific hotel bed.

5. Tobacco-taboo: You may not want to hear this, but smoking is not only bad for your general health, but specifically for your back: it increases the overall ageing of your spine. Try to quit the habit as soon as possible if you suffer from back problems.

1. Straighten up: To improve your posture, follow some of the exercises from our video library. Or try to do this exercise: Stand against a wall or sit in a dining room chair, make sure that your shoulders and buttocks touch the wall or your chair. Slip your arm into the space between your low back and the wall or chair, tilt your hips so that the extra space is eliminated. Stay in that position till you count uptil 20 while looking at a mirror to see what your posture looks like. Do that exercise once a day for three weeks to ensure that maintaining good posture becomes a habit. After a few weeks of exercise, you will see that your posture improves.

2. The a.m. stretch: If you feel stiff in the mornings, you can start off your day by stretching while you are still in bed. Before you get up, slowly stretch your arms over your head, then gently pull your knees up to your chest one at a time. When you are ready to sit up, roll to the side of the bed and use your arm to help prop yourself up. Put your hands on your buttocks and slowly lean back to extend your spine.

lift-5goldentips03

lift-5goldentips04

Back to top

Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Important: consult a health professional in case of an injury or if you suspect a slipped disk. A physician should be consulted in those acute cases when the condition is
accompanied by reddening, swelling or hyperthermia of joints, ongoing or severe pain and/or are associated with neurological symptoms (e.g. numbness, tingling), or if the pain radiates down the leg(s)).

For further information regarding Hansaplast products, please contact us via email on phc@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages.

Related Articles

Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Please note that, although they were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice, regardless of what you have learned on this website. Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products.
For further information, please contact us via email at Hansaplast@Beiersdorf.com