Chronic bending, lifting and twisting can cause back pain. When it’s done correctly you minimize the risk that you’ll develop problems. Here’s how:

• Squat, balancing your body front to back, side to side and top to bottom
• Turn with feet first and NOT your body
• Keep similar amount of rotation and bending in upper and lower body
• Load your core first

Although you may feel a little awkward the first time, this is the best way to place the load through your legs and not through your lower back which is not as strong.

Practice this movement each time you pick something up  – even as small as a paperclip – and it will become second nature.