RKC News - May 2017

- Or: How should I lift without causing great harm to my body? -

Am I lifting objects correctly? This is a question everyone should ask themselves, as everyone has to pick something up off the ground at some point. Whether the object is heavy or light does not matter, as the load is absorbed by the spine regardless of the weight. In this article, I refer to the care sector, but this can be applied to industries where heavy lifting is required.

During my training as a geriatric nurse, I learned how to move physically impaired individuals during a transfer (e.g., from bed to wheelchair) in a spine-friendly manner. In the care sector, this is called kinesiology (movement science), and I was excited about it. However, I always felt like something was missing, but I didn't know what it was. What I was missing was the correct movement of my body in daily care work, and I found the answer at the RKC.

Unfortunately, I often see young and old caregivers straining their bodies through improper lifting and movement, which can lead to long-term damage.

When asked, these individuals often lack an understanding of proper movement or cite time as a factor.

In addition to understanding, there is often a lack of mobility to perform certain movements. Here, I can recommend the 5-Minute Flow by Max Shank and the two kettlebell exercises Hardstyle Swing and TGU, as well as deadlifts. With these three exercises, you strengthen yourself to meet the demands of a physically strenuous job. The factor of time is a political issue, but everyone should consider whether it makes sense to invest a few more seconds to create the right conditions and lift correctly.

For me, these are not excuses, as a spine cannot be easily replaced, and it forgives nothing.

If you find yourself trapped in these excuses, seek out an RKC instructor and learn from them to break out of the cycle.

Especially if you work in the care sector, as it will need you for a long time.

I know this from my daily life as a geriatric nurse and how carelessly a resident can be moved quickly without paying attention to the correct back posture.

Christoph Kühnhauser RKC
www.kb-schwabing.de

1. Dan Shotokan Karate

...you should prefer free weights over machines? Free weights engage more muscles because balance must be maintained, thus building more muscle mass. Therefore, you should use kettlebells!