We are often asked how much load can I safely lift without hurting my back? This question often comes from the old-fashioned thought that backs are weak and vulnerable. If you have previously experienced back pain, this is a very real question as there is a natural concern not to re-injure your back.

Backs are well designed to bend and take load. How much we can lift and carry depends on the strength of our muscles. Both our muscles and our discs increase in strength as we load them. Strong muscles allow us to safely lift greater loads. Many people are under the false impression that if their core is strong, they will be able to lift safely. As with any movement, bending and lifting requires activation and co-ordination of multiple muscles.

When pain limits your lifting ability, we can help to restore your abilities to move freely.

At Burns Bay Physiotherapy we understand pain and movement. We use a systematic whole-body assessment to efficiently find and treat the cause of your pain as well as teach you how to manage yourself for the long term.

Published in The Village Observer, April, 2019. Written by Burns Bay Physiotherapy.