Back braces...how come I never see CNA's wear them?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I've been working as a CNA for about a month, and something I've noticed puzzles me. I have yet to ever see a CNA or nurse wearing a back brace. Not during clinicals, not where I work now, and not to facilities and hospitals I've gone too as an EMT. I'm curious why this is, is there some unwritten rule? Are people worried their employers will become suspicious they have a bad back and find an excuse to fire them?

I would like to wear one in certain situations just as a precautionary measure. We have had a couple CNA's go down with back injuries just in the time I've been working, and I've seen a Paramedic go down with a serious injury as well, so I would rather be safe than sorry.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I think the main reason is that they just don't work all that well. In fact, they tend to give one a false sense of security ("I can do this lift, I've got my back brace on") which can be dangerous. They are also hot and uncomfortable when worn properly, and useless when not. Why bother?

The only reason I can think of to wear one is if you've been injured and having some support in the sore area makes it feel better. Otherwise, I think they're more of a nuisance than a help.

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Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.

I think they just don't look very good and probably uncomfortable. A girl at work put one on the other day because her back hurt some. I teased her some becuse it looked like she had on a corset! Made her look "busty"! Lol Shes my friend so it was funny.

If you want to wear one, go right ahead. If you're wearing one as a preventative, just say so. No harm there.

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As VLV pointed out, they provide a false sense of security. I've worked in 2 facilities that saw an increase in back injuries when they mandated them (on the advice of their workers comp risk mgmt company).

They will also lead to deconditioning of the core muscles with prolonged use which is why PT trys to get people with back injuries out of them as quick as possible. (Abdominal binders will also do it.)

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Specializes in PACU, LTC, Med-Surg, Telemetry, Psych.

Back braces were all the rage in warehouse jobs, restaurant jobs, etc a while back. But, since there has been proof they do not help much and they are expensive for employers to buy, you do not see them as much.

I never thought they helped me too much, either. Even with them, If I accidentally lifted wrong, my back would still hurt. Not to mention, I had a problem with them lifting up on my scrub tops.

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I have only worked at one place that required you wear a back brace and at that time I was only a NAR. I have had a back injury and it was no fun at all and the facility I worked at the time had to pay for it. You would think it would be cheaper for them to offer back braces for us.

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Those employer-issued back braces were quite a trend for a while a number of years ago, but a number of studies have found that they either don't help or actually make the situation worse. Here are a couple of sources I was able to find quickly (there are lots more out there):

Do Back Belts Prevent Spine Injury?

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/12/05/back.belts/

You're better off just keeping your back strong and healthy to begin with, being consistent about using good body mechanics, and always getting help when indicated rather than taking dumb chances with your back.

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They're not even offered at my current job.

We didn't wear them at my old job because nobody wanted to look like RoboCop. You just need some sort of helmet and a ray gun and then voila -- you already have a fully functional Halloween costume.

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I've been a nurse for two years and a CNA for one. I have always sworn by my back brace; wear it every day. Here is the thing, for me I know it offers a lot of support through my day. When I wear my back brace, I never have back aches at the end of the day so that is all the proof I need. There are a couple key concepts to remember:

1. No, they do not make your back stronger and do provide a sense of false security for a lot of people. This is why they say that employees actually have more back injuries when wearing them.

2. There is absolutely NO substitue for proper body mechanics!

3. No matter how strong you think you are your back is still a pretty weak area of your body that is very prone to injury. Therefore, you should never lift more the 50pnds by yourself. Never lift patients on your own; always ask for help and pop your patient in trendelenburg if they are very heavy;

4. Always do some simple core strengthining excercises at the end of your day; you must have a strong core! The back brace is only going to help create a weaker core if you don't spend time working on it

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The only thing we young gals used them for was to pull them as tight as possible to show off our tiny little waists.

Oh!

The vanity of youth!

I haven't seen a back brace in use for about 15 years now.

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