The Top 5 On-the-Job Rules to Follow to Prevent Back Pain on the Job Nursing, especially in the hospital setting, is extremely physically demanding and as a result, nurses’ backs bear the brunt of their jobs. With all the lifting, stretching, pulling, pushing and standing for a couple of hours during a shift it’s no wonder so many nurses complain of back pain. One of the most crucial and yet often poorly treated and supported parts of the body, nurses’ backs bear an incredible burden that’s sometimes hard to handle. Above all, it’s a body part that’s used for almost every action you make. Keeping it healthy and strong should be your number one priority. A whopping 12% of nurses have left the profession due to back pain. Horrifying, right? If you’ve ever hurt your back you know what we’re talking about. It’s not pleasant and can jeopardize your job. Preventing back pain isn’t always possible, but here are some tips you can follow in order to at least diminish back pain on the job. 1. Exercise! Doing exercises reduces and prevents back pain. Before you start exercising, a good idea would be to consult your doctor about some useful exercising routines that could help you reduce back pain. Back extensions, bottom to heels stretch and knee rolls are extremely beneficial workout routines you can even perform at work whenever you get a chance. They help to strengthen back muscles and make you stronger. Also, doing yoga or Pilates is very beneficial in reducing back pain. Exercise is the key! Related: 5 Things to Expect on a New Year's Eve Shift 2. Sit and Stand Straight With such a workload during your shift, the last thing you pay attention to is your posture. However, if you want to reduce back pain, you have to make sure to straighten your back when both standing and sitting. Whenever you are standing for more than couple of hours during your shift, keep your chest out and shoulder down in order to relax your back muscles. This way you can maintain a straight posture and give your back a little break! However, it’s not all about standing positions. It’s also very important to avoid slouching when sitting. You may also want to put a pillow behind your lower back for more support. After you embrace this posture routine, it will do miracles for your back muscles.
3. Keep an Eye on Your Weight Being overweight is additional pressure on your back. The extra pounds shift the center of gravity in your body and more pressure will be felt in the lower back area, which leads to back pain. So, if you have some extra pounds and a little free time during your shift, make sure to do a couple of simple exercises. Being physically fit reduces back pain, and after couple of months of simple exercises on the job, you’ll be surprised with the results! Related: Today's Nurse 4. Wear Quality Shoes No matter how much you love high heels and attractive shoes, you have to make sure to pick appropriate ones just for work. Walking all day in comfortable shoes can help you a long way when dealing with back pain. It’s always advisable to take short breaks from time to time when you are working, but choosing the right shoes to wear at work could make your day a lot easier. You should consider wearing low-heeled and non-slip closed shoes. Can you imagine walking out of the hospital without back pain? Lifesaving! 5. Take Care When Lifting Nursing job is physically very demanding so, whenever you are positioning a patient or moving heavy equipment, you should be careful. Lifting heavy equipment can hurt your back so you should use proper body mechanics on a daily basis. Whenever you have some free time during your shift, remember to bend at your hips and knees instead of your waist, set your foot apart to maintain a stable foundation and keep your neck, back and feet aligned when turning or moving. By performing proper body mechanics during your daily nursing tasks, you can reduce the risk of back pain and other related injuries. Back pain, especially lower back pain is an extremely common problem encountered by nurses. According to statistics, it is one of the most reported occupational health problems among nurses, especially during their retirement years. Unfortunately, many nurses neglect this problem and don’t pay much attention to the solution. Over time, it becomes even a bigger issue and evolves into a serious back
situation. However, it can be prevented. There are many things you can do during your shift that will prevent back pain. From wearing proper shoes and exercising on short breaks up to sitting and standing straight, following these simple on-the-job rules will tremendously diminish back pain and make you feel a lot stronger. Related: Skilled Nurse Currently Practicing in California, Michelle Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter