Back pain: a hazard of self storage?

Self storage involves lifting heavy stuff around – usually. And that can mean back pain. But that is something everyone can take measures to avoid. Here are some guidelines.

Back pain can be caused in any number of ways. Perhaps the most common cause these days is sitting at a computer screen all day, with poor posture. Driving doesn’t help, pushing foot pedals from a fixed seated position. What backs like most of all is plenty of regular activity – mobility and flexibility.

Another danger is lifting heavy things badly. That is the danger posed by self storage. But you can avoid it.

Good packing

When preparing your stuff for storage, make sure everything is – as far as possible – easily liftable. Avoid creating really heavy boxes. Books and vinyl records, for instance, are heavy. Use a number of small boxes rather than one large one.

Warm up

You warm up when you play tennis or squash for a good reason. Muscles need preparation. The same applies when you are about to do some heavy lifting. Do some gentle bending and flexing before you get started.

Properly shod

Wear good, solid shoes or boots. This will help you to take up a good stance, give you a proper a foothold – and protect your feet if you drop your load!

Bend your legs, not your back

The classic error is to bend over from the waist, with legs straight, to pick a heavy load off the floor. The weight will then be taken by your arching back.

Mistake!

The way to pick up something heavy off the floor is to:

• stand with feet apart (the width of your shoulders would be a good guide), close to the object;
• keep your back and neck as straight and as vertical as possible;
• bend your legs at the knees;
• take a firm grip on the object with your hands;
• tighten your stomach (abdominal) muscles;
• push up with your knees, looking straight ahead.

Slow and smooth: no jerky movements. No twisting.

When carrying, hold the load close to your chest. To put it down, reverse the process, bending your knees and keeping your back straight.

Avoid reaching with outstretched arms to place a heavy object (e.g. on a shelf).

Self storage wheels

Self storage facilities are usually well geared up for shifting stuff around. It’s what their business is all about (apart from the actual storage, of course).

Most storage companies will be able to provide all or some of:

• sack trucks or sack barrows (the kind of trolley that’s on two wheels, and which you tip back to operate);
• flatbed trolleys or platform trucks;
• pallet trucks (hand operated) or forklift trucks, for moving boxes etc loaded onto pallets.

Make full use of them – let the wheels take the strain!

Dealing with back pain

Everyone gets back pain, particularly lower back pain. You can get it simply climbing out of bed.

Don’t panic. Unless you have a serious structural injury (such as a slipped disc), most back pain will usually go away of its own accord, eventually.

There are several things you can do to send it on its way:

• Keep moving: take gentle exercise to keep your back flexible.
• Use a painkiller (e.g. Nurofen) if you must. This gives your back relief from the stress of pain, and can initiate the healing process. But don’t use painkillers for a prolonged period.
• If the pain does not go away, go and see an osteopath.

But you will have to pay the osteopath. Best not to damage your back in the first place!