Safe Lifting Techniques in the Performing Arts

This is the third article in a series examining low back pain in the performing arts.

Nearly all people experience some degree of low back pain at some point in their lives. In the performing arts, most cases of low back pain are strains and/or sprains. Usually, these injuries are caused by misuse and overuse of the low back’s tissues. Improper lifting technique is the most common culprit of low back pain, so following safety guidelines and using correct lifting mechanics can reduce the risk of suffering a low back injury.

To avoid low back pain and injury, follow the rules of lifting whenever you lift anything at any time. Here are some additional guidelines for specific lifting situations that the performing artist or technical crew member may face.

Cross-training: weight-lifting

• Never use more weight than you can handle
• Always use correct mechanics while loading and unloading your barbells
• If you’re using a machine, adjust the machine to your body until you have it exactly right (in most cases, the hinge of the machine needs to line up with the hinge of your body’s joint).

Lifting a person

• Talk to your partner and the choreographer/director/rehearsal director to agree that you will not force anything in the lifts. You all need to feel comfortable speaking up if something doesn’t feel right or will lead to an injury later on.
• Make sure you and your partner can perform the lift in a technically sound way (aka with good mechanics) before you begin to increase the speed at which you perform the lift.
• Do not try to fake your way through a lift or ignore proper mechanics.
• Include spine-safe core strengthening exercises in your daily routine. Many lifts involve an asymmetrical weight load and/or extreme spinal positions. This places a great deal of strain on the spine and its supporting structures, which can lead to degeneration and long-term pain, injury, and dysfunction. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine can help your back better resist this damaging strain.

Lifting an object

On Stage

When you’re on-stage, you need to balance proper lifting techniques with choreography, blocking, and aesthetics. However, how you look is not more important than lifting safely. If an object (like a prop) is too heavy for you to lift while still maintaining your director’s desired aesthetic, work with your crew members to lighten the object. If that’s not an option or it doesn’t lighten the object enough, work with your director to incorporate safer lifting techniques into your performance.

Backstage

Backstage, you don’t have to worry about what you look like while you’re lifting, but that doesn’t mean that lifting objects backstage is without challenges. Tight spaces, the need to be quiet, and low light can make it difficult to use safe lifting mechanics. Generally speaking, all of the generic rules of lifting are pretty easy to incorporate into your work backstage. For the more challenging situations, Stage Managers and Assistant Stage Managers are an excellent resource. Stage Managers are usually all about efficiency. Using proper lifting techniques is the most efficient way to lift or move props and scenery.

• Work with your Stage Manager to be sure that enough people are assigned to move heavy or bulky props and scenery, even during busy times backstage. If you need to, remind him or her that if you can’t lift or carry the item by yourself, it might not be moved as quickly as is necessary.
• If you are assigned to lift an object in a tight space that restricts your movements, discuss with your Stage Manager other options that allow you more mobility.

The first two articles in this series explored the most common causes of low back pain, especially among performing artists, and discussed the rules of lifting. The remaining articles of this series will debate theories on using a weight belt (recreationally and occupationally) and discuss special considerations for avoiding injuries while carrying objects (or people) in the performing arts.