Anyone experience muscle pain from work?

NYCRN6 · Apr 30, 2009

My first few months (in addition to home stress) the stress of being a new nurse really was putting strain on my back. Even bending over to get medications from the pixus was hurting me! I go to the gym too!! It's just new muscles being used... I became accustomed to it.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2009

Are you kidding!?! LOL I come home every day sore, and my leg muscle spasm all the time.It hurts like crap. What helps is a nice soak in warm water, plus my friend is a message therapist and it makes all the difference in the world! I am sure like the poster above said we will become used to it.

rn-jane · Apr 30, 2009

I think your body does get used to it, but some days it is torture. I've done this 12 years and depending on how many people i lift, beds I push or just bend over to put slipper feet on all I think of is going home and soaking in my tub. I started lifting weights this year and it really does help especially with the heavy patients.

dedream · Apr 30, 2009

Hi I'm a cna and muscle soreness is a prerequesite of my position....lol anyways I pulled a muscle when I first started in the same location and it was torture to move and at times to breathe. After a 7 day steroid pack and muscle relaxants did not work, I was referred to a Physical therapist by my doc, she insisted on this since they focus on posturing whereas she claimed the chiropractor is mainly manipulation. Anyways long story short at my first visit I was hooked up to a machine called TENS(sp) and OMG if it were human I would have taken it home :lol2: :lol2:lol; on the spot it releived 60% of the pain. The area was massaged and loosened up by the PT and I was given a series of exercises to do to strengthen and stretch the area and to help releive the pain. I am proud to say Im pain free and now have little tips to relieve tension and pressure at work to avoid injury or pain/soreness. A freind of mine had excruitiating pain in the lower back and she tried accupuncture and she found releif. so you have options. Hope this helps. Good luck!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 30, 2009

Oh, yes, I had muscle spasms, back pains, and developed heel spurs. You do get used to it, try to stretch, warm baths and if your feet start to fall apart on you, see a podiatrist PRONTO!!

SICUteam · May 2, 2009

Thanks for the suggestions! I have tried a lot of treatment options like PT,accupuncture,chiropractor,trigger point injection,even reiki! My pain has reduced a bit but its still technically there though, I have my bad days and good days. My goal is to be pain free though coz if they say its just muscle then i should be able to get rid of the pain right.now,i am trying another month of PT,lidocaine patch and taking magnesium oxide.so we'll see what happens.

SoundofMusic · May 2, 2009

Yes, in fact, today I woke up with the most awful back of the neck soreness. Just out of the blue. It's like a stiff neck x 10, and right in the C7 area. Sort of scared me, thinking meningitis or something, but no fever or anything else. I think it's just from all the lifting and just pulling muscles out of whack.

I fear it's the beginning of back trouble and I'm really starting to wonder how much longer I can do the heavy patient thing. Might have to move to peds or something -- something with lighter people to care for.

Motrin and some exercise helped today.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 4, 2009

I use Motrin before an after every 12 hour shift. I got a mattress pad that heats up, and that has done wonders for my foot pain. I'm fussy, fussy, fussy about my shoes, and have found that changing them halfway through the shift helps sometimes. For muscle cramps and spasms I only had those the first 2 years, because I keep a bottle of water on the go constantly. I would not work anywhere that wouldn't allow water, and spoke with occupational health right off the bat when I got hired. I recommend everyone do the same. My physician had absolutely no problem writing a prescription for water, and 12 hours without as a full time job will damage your kidneys over time. Hell, physical strain for an hour without water isn't good.

massrn116 · May 5, 2009

I have OA of my lumbar region and on many occassions I would go home in tears due to having pulled "something." The next mornings, there were times I could not even bend over. About 5 years ago my husband wanted a Sleep Number bed and I thought it would be a complete waste of money. I am happy to report my back is totally different now, I still get stiff occassionally but nothing like it was. I recommend the bed to patients and nurses, it was a great investment.

Ploppers · May 5, 2009

Yes soreness is part of the job but not constant. I pulled my back so bad one time that the doctor said the muscles were roping. I took muscle relaxers and found they were not for me. After that I did stretches, warm baths, and Pilates. I really found that it helped because it didn't make me as sore. I really hope you find what helps you!!!

blueheaven · May 5, 2009

Learning and practicing good body mechanics. Don't move patients unless you can recruit enough help to do so. Will the hospital or facility support you if you get hurt?? Probably not. Exercises to strengthen core muscles will help. Massage therapy also helps on a regular basis, other good suggestions from posters here I got a jet tub when I remodeled my house and it was a God send. I've been doing this for 30 years and some days-WOO are much worse than others!