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