Nurses Stress 101
Published Jun 13, 2006
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN
2,387 Posts
Hello all!
I've been a nurse for a little over a year. And over the past 4 months I've thrown my back out 3 times. Oddly enough, the job I currently have is much easier than the job I had prior to that; and no injuries occurred.
Does anyone have any advice for backs? I already known to bend with my knees, IBprofen & alternate heat and cold. Got any ideas that actually work?
purseOnalityRN
77 Posts
Hey there - I used to work in stroke/ neuro for just over a year - I left because I couldn't take all that back breaking work... Nowadays my back still has it's days because I carry a lot of stress on it. I find that lifting weights and stretching before work helps a TON. I do back exercises like bent over rows, and lat pull downs.
fotografe
464 Posts
Get a referral to a physical therapist who will teach you, then drill you on body mechanics. I spent 6 months rehabbing my back and have been well since. He was a drill sargeant with the excercises and made sure I was using the correct muscles when turning, twisting and lifting. We went over motions that I would be using on the job. I can hear his voice in my head anytime I am doing any taxing work. Retraining yourself keeps you from re-injuring yourself. Good luck!
Hello all!I've been a nurse for a little over a year. And over the past 4 months I've thrown my back out 3 times. Oddly enough, the job I currently have is much easier than the job I had prior to that; and no injuries occurred.Does anyone have any advice for backs? I already known to bend with my knees, IBprofen & alternate heat and cold. Got any ideas that actually work?
fergus51
6,620 Posts
Good body mechanics do work. The problem is that we often get lazy about them or forget when we're in a hurry. It took me quite a few incidents before I became really conscious about my body movements. Also, you may want to consider strengthening your abdominal muscles. A PT can show you some safe exercises. It really made all the difference for me. And good posture will go a long way in helping your back feel better (no slouching in chairs for me!). I have an inherited joint issue and dislocated like crazy until I got really strict about my body. The only time I've thrown out my back in the last 2 years was bowling with friends, not pushing 300lb isolettes around the unit.
I hope things improve for you. Having a bad back in nursing can be a career killer.