Is flexing your spine to lift a risk factor for low back pain?
Research evidence in 9 of 11 studies show that lifting with a flexed (bent over) spine is NOT a risk factor for low back pain. We need more studies but what the current research says falls in line with common sense. The back is designed to flex forward. We need to relax the spine more than we need to brace it. This flies in the face of what many have learned- to squat and keep the back straight and tighten the core.
