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Moving Tips To Help Prevent Injury

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Posted: May 13, 2022 | by admin | 0 Comment

pexels-cottonbro-4569340May is National Moving Month. Typically at this time of year, leases come up for renewal. College kids are moving from the dorms back to their parents’ homes until fall. Still others may prepare to move across town or across state to begin a new job or school before summer ends. Whatever the reason for the big move, awareness of properly transitioning to a new place to live should include tips to prevent injury and exacerbation of joint pain.

Injuries associated with moving large objects and heavy boxes may be common. Add chronic joint pain to the mix, and you could increase the risk of further damage to your knees, back and arms if you’re not careful. Keep in mind the proper procedures for moving objects to reduce the chance of pain. They include:

Planning ahead: Sometimes the need to move may happen at the eleventh hour. However, it is no help to rush plans if so. Map out as much of your strategy as possible, from renting equipment and transportation to recruiting help to carry the load. Designate what objects and boxes will be moved when, and take time to prepare yourself physically. This means staying hydrated and stretching beforehand.

Choosing the right equipment: Moving tools exist for our convenience, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of them. Wear gloves and knee pads to protect these parts of your body, use hand trucks and pulley systems for larger, awkward objects, and use ramps for easy loading in and out of trucks.

Lifting properly: We get that some people view moving as a chore rather than a fun activity. Nonetheless, you want to take the time to do it right so you don’t hurt yourself. This means bending and lifting at the knees, not the back, and gripping boxes at the handles. If something is too heavy for you to lift, get help.

Resting when you need it: Take breaks during the move. Listen to your body, and if you feel pain coming, step away and stretch or drink water. Be sure to recover well enough before resuming work, if necessary.

+ Read more about how weight loss may slow degeneration of knee cartilage.
+ Learn about advanced techniques used in total joint replacement at Virginia Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists, which helps patients recover faster.

 

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