Career Prep - CTR 1210

 4 out of 5 Canadians suffer from back problems  Back problems can be caused by sitting, standing or working improperly  Back problems can be acute or chronic  Always bend your legs when getting ready to lift objects from the floor

CAUSESPREVENTION  Poor posture  Improper lifting and moving  Stressful living and work habits  Loss of flexibility  Poor physical fitness  Strengthening the back muscles  Proper lifting and handling  Losing excess body weight  Practicing good posture  Having a balanced lifestyle

 Muscles circle the spine to give support and balance – they allow movement  The 4 major muscles in the back are: The traps (trapeziums) – neck region The deltoids – shoulder region The lats (latissimus dorsi) – mid back region The glutes (gluteus maximus) – buttock region

 Being fit is the best way to avoid back problems The muscles in the front of each leg (quads), one of the largest body muscles, help when lifting Strong stomach muscles (abs) lessen back strain by up to 25% Tight hamstring (back of legs) muscles lessen the strain on the back

ACUTE BACK PROBLEMSCHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS  Sudden, sharp pain from a sudden movement  Strains or stretches muscles or ligaments  Acute back pain is more common  Lasts a long time  May never be cured  People who do a lot of lifting may experience chronic back pain

 When lifting above shoulder height, spread your feet apart (more support)  When carrying a heavy object in one hand, take turns holding it first in one, then the other  Push instead of pull whenever possible (A person can push twice what they can pull)  Keep your back as straight as possible  Do not lean forward to place a load on a table – walk as close to it as possible, then bend at the knees to place it

 Cartilage A tough, elastic tissue – acts as a cushion between the bones  Disc The flat tissue (cartilage) found between vertebrae  Herniated Disc A bulging disc (often, erroneously, described as a “slipped disc”  Ligament Tissue that connects bone to bone  Physical Fitness Body health, strength, flexibility  Muscle Tissue used to produce body movements  Posture The way we sit, stand and walk  Vertebrae A column of bones in the back that protects the spinal cord