Moving without hurting your back is a real challenge, but with the right steps and a few precautions it’s entirely achievable.
The first thing to do is to mentally prepare for the hard work a move involves.
Sort and handle with care
Choosing what to take and shifting suitcases and heavy items is a task that calls for care.
Many of the things we need to move are heavy, and it’s always better to ask for help than to try doing it alone.
Setting priorities about what to pack first and what can wait until the last minute helps keep a logical workflow and avoids unnecessary exhaustion.
When you need to reach items stored up high, use a step stool or a ladder to get to the right height. Lifting heavy objects from above shoulder level often ends in accidents.
Items stored very low down have their own difficulties too, especially heavy ones.
The ideal is to grab objects with your knees bent and carry them as close to your body as possible.
That way you prevent the weight from concentrating on your lower back and causing pain or, worse, an injury.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the discipline that helps us bring people, machinery and environment into harmony when carrying out a task.
It aims to optimise the work so you avoid injuries caused by overexertion or poor posture.
A move is a demanding job, full of heights, weights and obstacles that, when handled incorrectly, lead to plenty of injuries.
Once you’re ready to start actually moving things, there are a few basic ergonomic principles to keep in mind.
Use your dominant leg whenever possible, straighten your spine before lifting heavy objects, keep your feet shoulder-width apart while carrying for better balance, and always use properly designed equipment (such as hand trucks) if it’s available or practically necessary.
Ask for help
Of course, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it: two heads are better than one! You’ll always find people willing to lend a hand.
It’s not about having them carry everything for you, but about sharing the weight of larger items between two or more people.
The same applies if the flat you’re leaving is on a high floor and you have to go up and down repeatedly: with several people, each one makes fewer trips.
Another perfectly valid option is to hire a removals company.
Removals companies
Removals companies have the staff and the tools needed to pack, transport and place all your belongings at the agreed location, without any physical strain on you.
They have cranes, lifts and plenty of equipment that makes their daily work easier and prevents injuries.
What’s more, their staff are trained and qualified to carry heavy loads in the safest way, achieving successful, injury-free moves.
Don’t hesitate to search online for removals companies in your area that have the right tools and staff for your move.
Visit the one you like best in person and clear up any questions you may have with them.
What if you get hurt?
If, despite taking precautions, you’ve suffered an injury during the move, don’t keep pushing your body.
Stop, rest and, if you feel pain, go to a health centre to be assessed by specialists. Don’t wait for it to sort itself out.
Finally, once the move is done with all your belongings, rest enough to recover both physically and mentally.
Moving without hurting your back may seem like a daunting task at first, but if you follow these tips, a safe and satisfying result is guaranteed.
Enjoy your new home and surroundings to the fullest.
