There are things we do every day that we therapists call “activities of daily living.” When you want to be safe for your bones and prevent injury, there are movements you should avoid. Flexion and rotation of the spine are 2 positions that can put you at risk for compression fractures of the vertebrae.  These positions are good to avoid for most people with back problems or injuries. I first learned them when learning about patients with back pain and they continue to be a big part of my life and a big part of what I teach to this day!

In this section, I will review some basic activities and give you ideas on how  to do them with less chance of injury or pain.  The picture to the right shows me reaching into the oven while bending my knees and hips. I’m using a hip hinge which is a type of squat that keeps your back straight and avoids flexion of the spine.  The hip hinge is a huge part of good body mechanics for your spine!