1. The document provides 5 tips for protecting the spine from lifting injuries, including strengthening the core, maintaining good posture, lifting with proper technique, being aware of limitations, and paying attention to overall health. 2. It emphasizes that the lumbar spine is most vulnerable and explains proper lifting techniques such as bending at the hips and knees, keeping loads close, and avoiding twisting. 3. For chronic back pain lasting over 6 weeks, it recommends visiting a top spine surgeon for evaluation and potential surgery to treat the underlying cause of pain.

1. 5 T I P S F O R
P R O T E C T I N G
Y O U R S P I N E F R O M
L I F T I N G I N J U R I E S
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

2. You only get one spine – so avoid
lifting injuries! Your back and spine
are an anatomical marvel; they are
flexible and bear an enormous amount
of weight and daily activity. Due to
their flexibility and the stresses of daily
life, the back and spine are also very
prone to issues. These can extend
beyond the back into the legs, hips,
and other parts of the body.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

3. The most vulnerable part of your
spine is the lumbar region, which
lies behind the abdomen between
the bottom of the ribs and the pelvis.
It’s incredibly important to look after
your spine, and the great news is that
there is a lot you can do to
strengthen your body’s core and
maintain your back’s wellbeing!
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

4. H O W D O P R O P E R L I F T I N G
T E C H N I Q U E S P R O T E C T Y O U R
S P I N E ?
Your spine is an extraordinary structure; however, it can
easily be injured with sudden movements, lifting heavy
objects, twisting, repetitive movements over time, and
poor posture. Muscles and ligaments can become
strained, stretched, and they can even develop tiny tears.
Discs can bulge and deteriorate. Even the simplest strain
can cause significant pain in the lower back.
The lumbar spine is a very flexible area, with five segments
that provide a range of motion and which allows us to
bend and to twist left to right. The vast majority of the
spine’s motion occurs in the lower lumbar vertebrae.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

5. Proper lifting techniques are a
very important part of caring for
your spine, as many cases of back
pain are caused by lifting injuries.
When you lift, stress is placed on
the spine, and if you jerk or twist
while lifting and carrying, you can
injure the vertebrae, the discs, and
the ligaments of the spine.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

6. 5 T I P S F O R P R O T E C T I N G Y O U R
S P I N E
1. Strengthen Your Core. This means working to
achieve strong stomach and back muscles to support
the body, including the spine. Exercise that is low-
impact also increases flow of blood to the spine,
which in turn keeps it healthy.
2. Adopt a Good Posture. Poor posture puts strain
and stress on the spine, which over time can cause
weakness and injury.
3. Participate in Sports Wisely – warm up, stretch,
and consider the potential impact of your chosen
sport on your spine.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

7. 5 T I P S F O R P R O T E C T I N G Y O U R S P I N E
4. Lift With a Great Technique:
1) Place feet shoulder-width apart on a stable surface.
2) Bend from the hips and knees, not from the back, so that the
legs take the load.
3) Tighten your abdominal muscles.
4) Make sure you have a good grip on the load and hold it as close
to you as possible – this will exert less force on your spine.
5) Brace for the lift.
6) Breathe normally.
7) Lift in a steady way without jerking or twisting.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

8. 5 T I P S F O R P R O T E C T I N G
Y O U R S P I N E
Never try to carry too heavy of a load. Know
your limitations! If you feel pain, even a
small twinge, stop!
5. Pay Attention to your Overall Health
and Wellbeing. Maintain a healthy
weight, drink plenty of fresh water, stop
smoking, drink alcohol only in
moderation, minimize psychological
stress, and eat plenty of fresh and healthy
fruits and vegetables.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

9. C H R O N I C B A C K PA I N ? –
V I S I T A T O P S P I N E
S U R G E O N I N
W E S T C H E S T E R
Prevention is always better than cure! By
strengthening and protecting your core, you
can potentially avoid injuring your back in the
first place. If you do strain or injure your back,
or if you have degenerative changes, medical
treatments, proper exercises, and rest will in
most cases see the pain improve and go away
within a few weeks.
WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C

10. WWW.TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM
914-948-0444
EZRIEL E. KORNEL, MD
T o p S p i n e S u r g e o n N Y C
C H R O N I C B A C K PA I N ? – V I S I T A T O P
S P I N E S U R G E O N I N W E S T C H E S T E R
When back pain lasts longer than about six weeks, it’s time to
see a spine surgeon in Westchester to assess whether you
need surgery to treat the cause of your pain. Dr. Ezriel E.
Kornel is a renowned leader in all aspects of spine surgery and
he sees patients in his conveniently located offices in
Manhattan, Dutchess County, and Westchester County.
Please call our office at 914-948-0444 to make an
appointment to see Dr. Ezriel E. Kornel, or visit our website at
TOPSPINESURGEONNYC.COM to learn more about how
you can protect your core to avoid back pain and injury, and
whether having spine surgery in Westchester is advisable for
you.