A back injury can change your life.  It can keep you from being able to do your job...and from doing the things you love.  A back injury can also give you a lifetime of chronic pain.  Exercise regularly to keep your back and abdominal muscles strong.  Remember that these muscles act like a natural “girdle” to protect your back.  If you’ve felt pain or discomfort while moving a particular client , then DON’T DO IT AGAIN IN THE SAME WAY!  Change your technique or get help when it’s time to move that client again.  If you hurt your back during work, let your supervisor know and follow up with your family physician.  How can you know if you have good posture?  Your ears, shoulders and hips should all be in a straight line—along with the fronts of your knees and ankles.  Ask a friend to check out your posture.  You can also practice your posture by standing against a wall.  Keep your heels about 2 inches away from the wall.  There should be a space between your waist and the wall about as thick as your hand.  Keep your chin parallel to the floor.  As you go about your daily work, remember to push, pull or roll heavy objects rather than lifting them— whenever possible.  Don’t ever lift or transfer a client if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.  You could both be in for a spill!  Be sure to ask your supervisor if your clients have any position restrictions.  For example, some clients may be ordered to lie flat or to avoid bending their knees.  Encourage your clients to practice good posture, too.    They may experience fewer aches and pains...and have a better quality of life!  Ask your supervisor to review safe transfer procedures with you any time you feel the need.    Try to stretch and loosen your muscles every day before work.  Even five minutes of stretching can help save your back!  If you must lean forward to work, support the weight of your upper body on your free hand and arm to relieve the pressure on your lower back.  The more you practice transfers, the better at it you’ll be.  Ask a coworker or a friend to practice with you.  Just because a client is small doesn’t mean that he or she will be easy to transfer.   Be sure to think about the client’s flexibility, range of motion and overall strength.  All these things together affect how easy a client is to transfer.  If appropriate, use an assistive device to move a client.  This may include a transfer belt, sliding board or draw sheet. Other Tips For Safe Lifting & Transferring In the Know Page 6 © 2000 In the Know, Inc.