What physical symptoms result from daily bending and lifting at work?

Bending and lifting at work on a daily basis can cause physical complaints such as back pain, herniated discs, shoulder pain, and joint problems. These complaints arise because muscles, joints, and intervertebral discs become overloaded due to repetitive strain, especially when proper technique or assistive devices are lacking. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about physical ailments caused by lifting at work, from the first signs to prevention.

Which muscles and joints are subjected to the greatest strain during repetitive lifting?

Repeated lifting places the greatest strain on the lower back muscles, the intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine, the knee joints, and the shoulder joints. The physical strain of work is concentrated primarily in the lumbar spine, because it absorbs and stabilizes the entire weight of the upper body with every lifting and bending movement.

Specifically, these are the structures that sustain the most damage during regular lifting:

• Lumbar spine: When bending forward, the lower back absorbs a multiple of the actual weight of the object being lifted
• Intervertebral discs: These act as shock absorbers but wear out when subjected to chronic strain.
• Knee joints: When you bend your knees to lift properly, stress is placed on the kneecap and the cartilage
• Rotator cuff in the shoulder: when lifting above shoulder height or far away from the body
• Wrists and forearms: when grasping and holding unruly loads

The degree of strain depends heavily on the weight, the frequency, the distance of the load from the body, and the posture during lifting. A load carried far from the body puts up to ten times more pressure on the spine than the same load held close to the body.

What are the most common complaints caused by bending over every day at work?

The most common physical complaints resulting from daily bending at work are lower back pain, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, knee pain, and fatigue of the back extensors. With prolonged exposure, these acute complaints can develop into chronic musculoskeletal disorders that permanently limit a person’s ability to work.

Employees who bend and lift objects on a daily basis typically report a recognizable pattern of symptoms:

• Stiffness and pain in the lower back, especially in the morning when getting out of bed or after a day at work
• Pain radiating from the back to the buttocks or legs (an early sign of nerve irritation)
• Muscle pain and tension in the neck, shoulder girdle, and upper back
• Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs due to a pinched nerve
• Knee pain in employees who repeatedly bend their knees

It is noteworthy that complaints resulting from lifting at work often develop gradually. Many employees ignore the early warning signs, causing mild muscle pain to progress into structural damage to joints or intervertebral discs. Early attention to workplace ergonomics is therefore essential to prevent the problem from escalating.

How do herniated discs and other back problems result from lifting?

A herniated disc occurs during lifting when the intervertebral disc bulges under excessive pressure and presses on a nerve. This happens especially when a bent back, a twisted torso, and a heavy weight combine, causing the pressure on the disc to rise so high that the outer ring (annulus fibrosus) ruptures.

The mechanism behind back pain caused by lifting is cumulative. A single incorrect lifting motion can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but in most cases, the actual damage builds up over months or years of repeated microtraumas. Every incorrect lifting motion causes minor damage to the intervertebral disc, and this damage accumulates over time.

In addition to herniated discs, there are other common back conditions caused by lifting at work:

• Muscle tear or strain: acute injury to the back extensor muscles caused by sudden overexertion
• Facet joint degeneration: chronic degeneration of the small joints between the vertebrae due to persistent compression
• Spondylolysis: a stress fracture in the spine caused by repeated overexertion, more common among younger workers
• Lumbar stenosis: narrowing of the spinal canal resulting from years of degeneration

The combination of bending and twisting at the same time is particularly harmful to the spine. During this combined movement, the pressure on the intervertebral discs increases exponentially compared to a straight lifting motion.

Can shoulder and neck pain also be caused by lifting at work?

Yes, shoulder and neck problems can certainly be caused by lifting at work. This is especially true when lifting loads above shoulder height, working with outstretched arms, or carrying asymmetrical loads. The rotator cuff, the cervical vertebrae, and the trapezius muscle are the structures most vulnerable to this.

Shoulder problems caused by lifting manifest themselves in two ways. On the one hand, there are acute injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff resulting from sudden overexertion. On the other hand, there are gradual conditions, such as impingement syndrome, in which tendons in the shoulder become chronically pinched due to repetitive lifting and reaching movements.

Neck problems arise from lifting at work due to the compensatory posture that employees adopt. People who regularly carry heavy loads unconsciously shrug their shoulders and tense their neck muscles, leading to chronic muscle tension, headaches, and, over time, wear and tear on the cervical vertebrae. Employees who carry loads on one shoulder are at increased risk of asymmetrical neck problems.

When do physical complaints caused by lifting become an occupational disease?

Physical complaints caused by lifting are recognized as occupational diseases when there is a demonstrable causal link between the working conditions and the condition, and when exposure to the risk factor (heavy lifting) is significantly higher than in daily life. In Belgium, musculoskeletal disorders caused by lifting are recognized through the Occupational Diseases Fund.

The transition from a work-related complaint to a recognized occupational disease generally requires:

• A medical diagnosis of the condition by a doctor
• Evidence of ongoing exposure to risk in the workplace
• A demonstrable link between the nature of the work and the specific condition
• Exclusion of other causes unrelated to the workplace

Lumbar herniated discs, rotator cuff injuries, and knee osteoarthritis are examples of conditions that are frequently recognized as occupational diseases among workers in logistics, construction, and manufacturing. However, prevention remains the best strategy: once symptoms become chronic, a full recovery is by no means always possible.

How can ergonomic aids prevent physical discomfort?

Ergonomic aids prevent physical discomfort when lifting by reducing or completely eliminating the physical strain on muscles and joints. They ensure that employees can move loads without resorting to the dangerous combination of bending, twisting, and lifting that leads to musculoskeletal disorders.

The preventive effects of ergonomic aids in the workplace are tangible and multifaceted. A vacuum lifting solution completely takes the weight off the employee, allowing them to simply control the movement without any physical strain. A lifting device ensures that loads are positioned at the correct working height, eliminating the need to bend over.

Ergonomic aids for lifting at work function on various levels:

• Weight Relief: Devices such as vacuum lifters and hoists take the weight off completely
• Posture Correction: Adjustable working heights prevent bending over and reaching
• Frequency Reduction: Automated material handling solutions reduce the number of lifting operations per day
• Weight distribution: assistive devices ensure an even distribution of weight, thereby preventing asymmetrical carrying

Investments in ergonomics not only reduce the risk of physical complaints, but also lower absenteeism due to illness and increase productivity. Employees who experience less physical strain can remain productive for longer and work with greater consistency. For more information about available solutions for each application, please visit the applications page.

How Logitrans Handling Helps Prevent Physical Ailments Caused by Lifting

At Logitrans Handling, we help companies systematically address physical complaints caused by bending and lifting at work. Our approach is tailored to the specific situation at each workplace, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.

What we offer specifically:

• Free workplace analysis: Our specialists analyze lifting situations in your workplace and identify the greatest risks of musculoskeletal disorders
• Customized solutions: Our product line includes vacuum lifters, mobile lifters, pallet trucks, and more, designed for boxes, bags, drums, sheets, pallets, and rolls
• Demonstration area in Drongen: You can test the ergonomic lifting solutions yourself using your own materials before making a decision
• Training and guidance: Upon installation, we provide proper training to ensure that employees use the equipment safely and effectively
• Maintenance Contracts: Through our service department, we keep your lifting equipment in top condition to ensure maximum safety

Back pain and other physical complaints caused by lifting can largely be prevented when the right tools are used properly. Would you like to know which ergonomic solution best suits your specific situation? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

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