Lifting Correctly 

Lifting correctly

Follow these tips to avoid injuring your spine, or straining your lower back when lifting.

• Place your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other.

• Squat down carefully by bending at the hips and knees—avoid bending your back.

• If additional support is needed, put one knee on the floor and the other in front of you, bent at a right angle in an almost kneeling position.

• Lift slowly by straightening your hips and knees—don’t use your back or twist your body.

• Keep your back straight, your chest outward and your shoulders back as you lift.

•  Look straight ahead—this helps keep your upper back straight while having a slight arch in your lower back.
•  Keep the item at belly button level, and as close to your body as possible.
• Change direction with your feet and keep your shoulders in line with your hips as you move forward.
• Squat with your hips and knees only as you put the object down, to avoid bending your back.