Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/77400
Action. Begin to lift again as before. As you begin to lift, press your feet into the floor while straightening your legs (Image 2). Lift and lower your partner's leg in this manner a few times. By pressing your feet into the floor and straightening your legs, you are using the strength and power of your lower body to lift your partner's leg. This allows your upper body to relax and comfortably facilitate the lifting without strain and effort. Feel. Notice the effectiveness of your lifting now. Ask. By pressing down with your feet, can you sense more strength in your legs? Are you able to use less effort in your upper body? Is the lifting easier now? Rest. Action. In the same manner as before, lift your partner's leg and hold it up. Remain facing the leg with your feet in a parallel stance. Slowly begin to move your partner's knee in the direction of his or her chest. Be sure to keep your back, shoulders, and arms as relaxed as possible. Try making a larger movement by taking a few side steps in the direction of the head of the table. Next, try a larger movement toward the foot of the table by taking a few side steps in that direction. Feel. Notice how this technique affects the quality of your lifting and movement. Ask. Can you maintain your vertical alignment when taking side steps? Are your legs able to do the work of the movement? Are you able to reduce the muscular effort in your upper body? Rest. Action. As before, lift your partner's leg (Image 3). This time, before you move the leg, reposition yourself by turning your feet and body so you are facing the head of the table. Before you start to move, be sure that your body is not rotated. Your feet should now be in a one-foot-forward stance. Now, slowly begin to move your partner's leg forward by pushing with your back foot. Don't move by only bending forward with your upper body, as this will cause effort in your low back. Bring your partner's knee toward the chest and then back to its neutral position. Now, try making a larger movement by first stepping forward with your back foot and then stepping forward with your front foot. Stepping forward in this manner will help maintain your vertical alignment, keep you close to the weight, and reduce the muscular effort and strain in your upper body. Continue to lift, hold, and move your partner's leg a few times until you feel comfortable with it. When you are ready to return the leg to the table, first reposition yourself to face the leg, and then lower it down. Rest. Lifting, holding, and moving weight utilizing these techniques will protect your body from injury. While the strong muscles and joints of your legs support and move the weight, your back, shoulders, and arms can remain comfortable and relaxed. Also keep these principles in mind when lifting during everyday life. give yourself some feedback. How did these lifting techniques affect the quality of your movements? How secure did your partner feel with these techniques? and therapist since 1990. She coordinated IBM's body mechanics program and authored Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010). She has a massage and Feldenkrais practice at the Pluspunkt Center for Therapy and Advanced Studies near Zurich, Switzerland. Contact her at barbfrye@hotmail.com. Barb Frye has been a massage educator earn CE hours at your convenience: abmp's online education center, www.abmp.com 107