[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/proper-lifting-techniques\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/proper-lifting-techniques\/","headline":"How to Properly Lift Items","name":"How to Properly Lift Items","description":"With 30 million Americans experiencing back pain at any given time, it\u2019s a common complaint from people of all ages. One of the most common causes of back pain is improper lifting techniques. Rushing to pick up an item or underestimating its weight can lead to back injuries. Brian Caricato, DPT, regional director, UPMC Rehabilitation […]","datePublished":"2014-05-16","dateModified":"2022-12-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/how-to-lift-things.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/how-to-lift-things.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/proper-lifting-techniques\/","about":["Fitness","Rehabilitation","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":220,"keywords":["back injury","back pain","Brian Caricato DPT","how to lift","injury","lifting","lifting techniques","rehabilitation"],"articleBody":"With 30 million Americans experiencing back pain at any given time, it\u2019s a common complaint from people of all ages. One of the most common causes of back pain is improper lifting techniques. Rushing to pick up an item or underestimating its weight can lead to back injuries.Brian Caricato, DPT, regional director, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, recommends following these steps to ensure proper lifting technique and help reduce the risk of injuring your back.Proper Lifting TechniqueKeeping your feet shoulder-width apart and your back straight, squat down behind the object.Place hands on either side of the object.Using your abdominal muscles for assistance, begin to straighten your knees and stand up.Remember to lift with your legs, not your back.To avoid injury while liftingYour shoulders and hips should always be facing the same direction.Keep the object as close to your chest as possible.Ask for help when necessary.\u00a0Any time you do injure your back while lifting, follow these steps:Use heat or ice to relieve pain.Take one dosage of a pain reliever.Take it easy for a day or two.If pain persists longer than a week or is through your legs, contact your doctor.If you are in serious pain, or if the pain lasts longer than a week, contact your doctor."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Properly Lift Items","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/proper-lifting-techniques\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]