Level 2 Award Safer Moving and Handling People (EPAH) | Page 10

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Safer Moving & Handling
The Spine
The spine is a complex structure and understanding how it works
will help you to keep safe.
If you take a look at the pictured spine on the opposite page, you
will see the upper (cervical) area and the lower (lumbar) areas are
curved backward. This is referred to as lordosis - cervical or lumbar
lordosis.
The middle (thoracic) area of the spine is curved forward, referred
to as dorsal kyphosis.
This positioning permits the spine to be very resistant to vertical
weight, since its curves allow flexibility. If weight is considerable,
the spinal curve may increase temporarily, cushioning the pressure
exerted on the vertebrae.
This is why transporting weight on the head was a traditional
practice in certain countries. By carrying weight this way, the center
of gravity was kept at the spinal axis, and back muscles were
relieved from much of the strain.