Proper Lifting Techniques for Boxes: Prevent Injury & Strain

Lifting a box doesn't have to be difficult, and it should never cause injury. If you want to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary strain on your bones, joints and other parts of your body, then you should take care to lift a box correctly. If you follow proper technique you will put pressure on your muscles rather than on your bones, which will keep you from getting injured. This is because muscles are more elastic and can take more pressure than bones.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess the box's weight by poking it with your feet or trying to push it along the ground. It is easier to lift a box if you know what you are dealing with and how much force you are going to have to use.

• 2

  Stand in front of the box and spread your legs apart to give yourself a wide base to lift with.

• 3

  Squat down as low as you can, keeping your back straight throughout the movement.

• 4

  Grab the box as close to your body as possible. This will keep your back from rounding -- if you don't have to reach far, then your back will stay straight.

• 5

  Push with your legs, keeping your shoulder blades back and your box at your waist. This will keep the force on your muscles rather than on your bones, which will minimize your chance of injury.