Heavy Lifting
The abdomen naturally has pressure inside of it. The spine is stabilized in part by this natural pressure. However, like blood pressure, abdomen pressure must remain within a normal range, or else issues arise. Lifting heavy objects is an effective strategy to raise abdominal pressure. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) increases as a person lifts more weight.
Additionally, the method the object is picked up impacts the IAP. According to one study, standing after squatting and not carrying any weight boosted IAP more than picking up a 22-pound object off a counter would. However, the abdominal wall experiences strain each time IAP rises. Due to the possibility of minor muscle and connective tissue injuries, this recurrent stress is similar to an overuse injury.
These myofascial tissues eventually become weaker over time due to the constant stress of high IAP. Healthy myofascial tissues can often withstand normal variations in abdominal pressure, but higher IAP strains already compromised areas. Then, a hernia can suddenly appear. In addition to activity-related factors, there can also be a significant hereditary component that, regardless of activity levels, might increase or decrease one’s risk of developing a hernia.
