How to Protect Your Back When Moving 

Moving is an exciting time, and one filled with opportunities and hope about what’s next to come. But moving can also be a bit grueling, both physically and emotionally. Indeed, planning for a move can be stressful, and actually executing the move (and doing all of the heavy lifting) can take a toll on a person’s body.

In fact, heavy lifting is one of the most common causes of muscle soreness, back strains, and back pain. What’s more, sitting for long periods of time while driving can also lead to back pain. As such, if you’re planning to move and know there are a few heavy things to be lifted or/and that you’ll be in the driver’s seat for hours at a time, you should familiarize yourself with how to protect your back.

How to Protect Your Back When Lifting Heavy Objects

The first rule of heavy lifting: don’t lift objects that are too heavy for you! Know your limits, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance, use a dolly or pallet jack, or hire a moving company if need be.

That being said, if you do plan on lifting something that’s heavy, make sure you do it with good form. WebMD recommends keeping your back straight up and down when you lift (rather than rounding at the lumbar spine), keeping your head up, squatting down to reach your object rather than bending at the waist, and then thinking about lifting with your legs, not your arms or back.

How to Protect Your Back When Driving

Heavy lifting may be one of the most common causes of back strain injuries, but it’s not the only thing that can lead to back pain – driving and sitting for long periods of time can cause discomfort, too. A few tips to prevent back pain while driving include:

• Make sure you’re seated in the proper and comfortable position – you should be close enough to the wheel and fully upright (not slouching).
• Use lumbar support if necessary – something as simple as a rolled-up shirt or towel can provide a little extra behind-the-back cushion.
• Take frequent breaks – try not to drive for too many hours at once without stopping and getting out to walk around and break your posture.
• Stretch! During your driving brakes, move your spine and take a few minutes to stretch out.

At Elite Truck Rental, We Can Help

If you’re planning a move in Illinois, our team can help. While we can’t totally prevent back pain, we do have a few tools that can help, including pallet jacks, liftgates, and appliance dollies.

To schedule your rental truck reservation today, call our moving truck company directly, make your reservation online, or send us a message at your convenience.