A lifting injury can occur to anyone who lifts a heavy object or weights while working out, no matter how experienced the person is. However, lifting injuries can be prevented by following certain precautions. Lifting injuries can also be treated using physical therapy and other remedies. If you have experienced an injury from lifting a heavy object, consider seeing our low back pain doctor in Midtown. At First Health Physical Therapy, we treat a wide range of lifting injuries through physical therapy.
Herniated Disc
Most lifting injuries occur due to improper lifting mechanics. A herniated disc is one of the most common lifting injuries our low back pain doctor in Midtown addresses. A herniated disc arises when poor posture is used when lifting. It consists of some of the center of the spinal disc (nucleus) pushing out through a tear in the exterior disc (annulus). Possible symptoms associated with a herniated disc include localized back pain, numbness, and tingling down the legs. Depending on the severity, a herniated disc can be treated with medication, physical therapy, or surgery. You can prevent a disc from herniating by keeping a “neutral spine” and focusing on hinging the hips when lifting things.
SLAP Tear
Another unfortunate lifting injury is a SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) tear. The labrum is located in the shoulder and can tear from acute trauma and repetitive stress motions from overhead lifting. Symptoms such as a sensation of locking and popping, pain with movement, and decreased shoulder strength can result. Some labral tears can heal with time or more aggressive treatments like physical therapy.
Tennis Elbow
One other lifting injury that can be treated by our low back pain doctor in Midtown is tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is an overuse injury often caused by over-gripping when lifting. The injury can result in an aching pain on the outside of the elbow and a stretching feeling along the outside of the forearm muscle. To alleviate pain, it is recommended to regularly massage and stretch the muscles.
How to Prevent Lifting Injuries When Working Out
Lifting injuries can occur when working out and lifting weights. Thankfully, several steps can be taken to keep you injury-free when lifting during a workout. Some of these tips include the following:
- Warm-up before and cool down after your workout with light exercises.
- Stretch before and after you work out.
- Ease into your weight lifting session by slowly building up weight, endurance, and frequency.
- Be aware of problem areas, such as the back and arms.
- Listen to your body and take rest days when necessary.
- Fuel your body frequently with small meals and drinking plenty of water.
Treating Lifting Injuries With Our Low Back Pain Doctor in Midtown
Being cautious when lifting objects is critical, but injuries can be inevitable. If you obtain a lifting injury, use the RICE method to prevent your injury from worsening. This includes resting the injury, icing the area to lessen swelling and inflammation, using compression to minimize swelling, and elevating the injury, if possible. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can also ease pain and swelling. Medical care from our low back pain doctor in Midtown can also helpfully heal the injury.
Contact Our Low Back Pain Doctor in Midtown
Obtaining an injury when lifting weights or other objects can put a pause on your daily life. That is why it is essential to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. If you obtain an injury, see our low back pain doctor in Midtown for treatment. Our specialists at First Health Physical Therapy can guide you to recovery. Contact our team today if you require physical therapy to treat a lifting injury.