Case Summary  |  Lift with the knees!

I started having trouble with my lower back. I would have sudden spasms, like a tightening of my muscles, like an intense twitch which I could not control.
After a few weeks of these spasms, my muscles started aching badly. They were tired and sore and I could not stop them.
It was a few months before I went to see my doctor. She gave me muscle relaxers, Skelaxin, and sent me to a physical therapist.
The physical therapist examined me and said I was having trouble with my lower back because my upper back was weak. This was most likely caused from repeated lifting of my client's wheelchair, in order to put it into the trunk of my car. She said, "Lift with the knees!". This was a phrase I had heard before but thought it only applied to very heavy objects.

The physical therapist showed me exercises to strengthen my upper back. These exercises included using a band, stretching, and lifting light weights. After a few weeks of exercises I started noticing a difference. My back felt stronger. My posture was better. The spasms were finally subsiding.

After that experience, I was more careful about lifting. I lifted with my knees!