Don't lift or carry objects, packages or babies weighing more than 10 pounds. If you are unsure about how much you can lift, check with your healthcare provider, especially a physical therapist.
If you are picking up a heavy object, never bend over so that your back is parallel to the ground. This places a great deal of strain on your back.
To lift an object off the floor, first kneel on one knee. Place one hand on a table or stable chair for support if you need it.
Bring the object close to your body at waist level. Gently pull your abdomen in to support your back and breathe out when you are lifting an object or straightening up. Do not hold your breath. Stand using you leg and thigh muscles.
When carrying groceries, request that your bags be packed lightly. Divide heavy items into separate bags. Always hold bags close to your body. Try to balance the load by carrying the same amount in each hand.
When unpacking, place bags on a chair or table rather than on a high counter or floor. This prevents unnecessary lifting and twisting of the spine.
Instead of carrying a heavy pocketbook or purse, consider wearing a fanny pack.
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Lifting and Carrying
- By sdivas
- Posted September 19, 2009 at 2:47 pm · 3 replies
- In Guidelines to safe movement and fall prevention
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
3 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By millie123
- Posted September 19, 2009 at 5:14 pm
- Report post
All of these posts are good, Sandi. Still I wonder how a young mother with osteo could cope if she couldn't pick up her baby.
- By SaraMeeks
- Posted September 20, 2009 at 5:34 am
- Report post
Good questions Millie123:
There is no science to back up what we can or cannot lift when we have osteoporosis. Good body mechanics are the real answer.
The Section on Womens Heath of the APTA used to have a nice booklet on baby and child care. If you contact me privately at sara@sarameekspt.com or give me a call (# is on website) I could walk you through the process of finding out.
I know young mothers who wear the Spinomed brace to protect their backs when taking care of small children.
Good suggestions sdivas! Regarding groceries, don't forget, for the environment, take your own cloth, reusable bags with you! :+) ! San Francisco, I hear, is now charging 25 cents for plastic bags.......when it comes out of the pocketbook, things will change.
- By millie123
- Posted September 20, 2009 at 8:43 am
- Report post
Sarah: I had to laugh. I'm 62 and the possibility of me personally picking up a baby are fairly slim unless one of the nieces comes to visit and leaves one with me while they run off to play somewhere. But there are a number of pregnant with osteo members asking questions on the forum in general. I asked simply to try to solicit some information for them. So I hope those members see the info you gave here and that it helps them.
Add to the discussion