Managing Pain While Moving

1. Know Your Limits
2. Stretching
3. Using Proper Lifting Techniques
4. Pain Relief
5. Rest

For many of us, pain is already a fact of life. Add in all the pressures of moving and this can certainly contribute to an even higher level of pain. Lifting all those boxes, moving furniture, using muscles that probably barely are exerted at all can lead to more...yep, pain. Of course, there are several ways that pain can be dealt with. Here are a number of factors to keep in mind when managing pain while moving.

Know Your Limits

This should be self-explanatory. However, here are a few specific guidelines:

• Keep boxes to under 50 pounds. If your boxes are heavier than this, chances are much greater that you could hurt yourself. Just remember that these boxes may need to go up and/or down stairs and maybe even over some distance between the house and the truck (and then the truck and the new house).
• Get help if a box or item is too heavy. You could also use equipment like dollies or furniture sliders. Just don't excessively strain yourself.
• Let people know about old injuries. If you have a bad knee or back (or whatever), tell your movers or friends so that a plan can be devised to work around giving you responsibilities that would serve to aggravate those trouble areas.

Stretching

This falls under the area of always warming up before engaging in any type of physical activity. Spend just five to ten minutes and do slow, fluid movements. This will help to also increase your range of motion and get the blood and oxygen flowing.

After the day is finished, stretch again. This can help to act as a cool down and it will even help to prevent excessive soreness the next day.

Using Proper Lifting Techniques

• Lift with the legs, not the back. In other words, never bend at the waist to pick something up. Instead, squat down, bending the knees and keeping your back in its normal upright position.
• Hold the item you're carrying very close to your body as you attempt to pick it up. This will offer more support and is also a much safer technique.
• Never, under any circumstances twist or turn or jerk your body in strange or quick movements while lifting something.

Pain Relief

Expect to be sore after the move, especially if you are not used to hard physical work. Helpful pain relief techniques include:

• Use a pain reliever for any soreness
• Heating pads can help with tight and/or strained muscles
• Remember to stay hydrated before, during and after any type of strenuous physical activity
• If there are any chronic issues or actual injuries, apply ice immediately. Fifteen to twenty minutes should help to reduce swelling and start the healing process if there is a muscle strain or other minor injury.

Rest

Listen to your body. If you feel over exerted, take a break. Never push yourself too hard and risk further injury. Also, be sure to get plenty of sleep before moving day.