I think I pulled something in my back

[Mofoman]

I work at UPS parttime, which is a workout in itself. well anyway, I was lifting a rather large, heavy package, which is all in a normal's days work, but I lifted it in an awkward motion and I felt a slight pain in the middle of my back. I thought I'd just sleep it off, but it bothers me. Not enough to stop working, not enough to even stop me from continuing the same work I've been doing.

I was just wondering, are there any stretches I can do to work this kink out, and maybe to prevent it from happening in the future.

Thanx

[khalid a.k.a Genocide]

Your company should(ought to) offer back injury prevention courses. HOwever, one way to prevent such injuries is to strengthen your back muscles, lower back as well as upper back. More emphasis on lower back because 8 out 10 back injuries is in regard to lower back. So strengthening the muscles in your lower can cut down on lower back problems associated with heavy lifting and other activities.

Some exercises that you can do are;

Deadlift. best exercise for lower back. however spend some time learning proper technique/form so that you can perform this exercise without injuring yourself.

Good mornings. very underrated lower back exercise. strengthens(a bit) and really helps stretch your lower back muscles. Good for lower back overall flexibility.



Anyway, for now just try and stretch your (lower) back in the mornings and nights, before and after work. give it a good stretch in order to loosen up a bit. Muscle tightness is one leading causes of (muscle) injuries and discomfort.

[Akolades]

I'm a supervisor during the preload shift. When you get hurt, youre suppose to tell one of us to let you go see whoever handles injury reports there (union rep, shopstew etc etc.)

If you get hurt in the future outside of work, theres no history of the injury at ups, so u might not be covered in the same ways.

And with what Khalid is speaking on, your UPS center should have a pre-workshift workout/warm up meeting. Its focused on stretching, but they also do some light strenght work aswell.

And I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times, but get one of your co-workers to help you when you think youll have trouble lifting anything.
Your supervisor wont care if you kill yourself for him, but you and your fam will.

[Mofoman]

Your company should(ought to) offer back injury prevention courses.


The sad thing is, I'm on the safety committee at my job, we go over this in monthly tests. My dumb ass was just trying to be superman.

Yeah, my supervisor, as well as me at times beat it into others heads "get help with over 70's..."

My back is better now, I shoulda reported it immediately but I felt like an idiot. You know "practice what you preach and what not".

BTW, what are "Good Mornings"

[whoa4]

I used to do those types of jobs and my back would always be stiff afterwards...

They should provide you guys with back braces, IMO.