Lower back pain anyone?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Ughhh my lower back pain has been so bad lately.

I'm already planning on getting a rolling backpack this weekend to help. Tiget Balm helps some at night to relax.

It is just the sitting at a desk in a hard chair listening to a 3 hour lecture that is KILLING my back!

What do you all do?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

For the past year and a half I've suffered from lower back pains that vary in severity. Unfortunately, the pain runs down the back of my right leg due to an L4/L5 injury and I can barely walk somedays. I have found that Tramadol helps me get through the day. It is non-narcotic, non-sedating, and provides pain relief for me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

The Chiropractor is my best friend when it comes to back pain..

When I first started going to my new chiro here in Houston, she took Xrays. No wonder my back hurt..spine was slightly curved, and I had a sublaxation (tilt) of one of my vertebraes..

I've been going routinely since 10th grade. I go every 4-6 weeks and it makes a world of difference.

That, and good shoes.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

OH YES!!!! I have osteoarthritis in my left hip and lower back. Lodine prn tid helps me and has for years (as long as I remember to take it---when it';s not hurting it's difficult to remember to take it on a regular basis!).

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Specializes in SICU.

Count me in for chronic back pain!!

Mine gets so bad sometimes that I have spasms across the middle of my back, right at about bra strap level. Sometimes they are so bad it takes my breath away.

Flexeril helps, but I don't like taking it too much because it leaves me fuzzy and cotton-mouthed. Ultram works well. Good shoes are a must, as well as a good support bra for us busty girls. :D

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

add me to the bunch. horrible back and neck pain since i was about 18. now my darn hips have been killing me for about 3 years. naprproxen helps sometimes as well as alternate heat and ice. but how long can you take naproxen with out toxifying your liver?:idea: i would love to go back to the chiropractor just no coverage for chiropractic right now. my bones could use a good crackin'.

have you tried those disposeable heat packs? those are so great. hope you feel relief soon.;)

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

What shoes have you all found that works well for lower back pain?

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
Have you tried those disposeable heat packs? Those are so great.

I think I might keep some in my bag, good idea.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
she took Xrays. No wonder my back hurt..spine was slightly curved.

My mom just found out at the age of 55 that she has scoliosis! We just found out her brother does too and didn't know it. I'm wondering now if that is part of my problem.

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In my opinion one of the biggest causes of back pain in the nursing workforce is lack of core muscle strength. Front-line nursing is hard on your back, lifting and twisting and being on your feet all day. It's no wonder most nurses have back pain and/or injuries at some point in their career.

As the back wellness resource person on my floor I did an impromptu survey of the floor on who did core muscle exercises regularly. Out of 46 people surveyed, 2 said yes.

I really believe that doing a regular exercise program emphasizing core muscle work would really decrease back pain in nursing. Most nurses don't for various reasons, too busy, no real exercise knowledge, etc. I'd really recommend for anyone experiencing back pain to look into doing some sort of core strengthening exercises. Nothing crazy, just something as simple as a few leg raises and back stretches to start. You don't need to join a gym or get any equipment, just pick a spot on your floor and do it consistantly.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
In my opinion one of the biggest causes of back pain in the nursing workforce is lack of core muscle strength.

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I think that is excellent advice and agree!

Fortunatly (or unfortunatly? lol) I am a gym regular and regularly work my entire back out as well as my core. I lift weights about 3-4 days a week and do use proper form. So I am not sure, I do wonder with my family history if there is some scoliosis going on that I am not aware of. I have had back pain to some degree my whole life, but as I get older, it gets worse :(

Do you have any other tips or ideas none of us have mentioned? I'm open to anything.

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Specializes in I hope to specialize in pediatrics.

lower back pain SUCKS.. mine started on sunday and I have no idea what i did. I worked my lower back at the gym on friday maybe that has something to do with it. THen sunday at work I lifted a few patients and was fine, passed the breakfast carts and all of a sudden I had sharp pain and I couldnt even bend. If i stand up straight it is fine but once I bend forget about it. I worked monday and tuesday and it still KILLED. I was off wednesday and took thursday off to rest it (and I already had the weekend off I dont go back until tuesday) and the pain still proceeded so I went to the DR and he gave me 800mg motrin and valium and its finally feeling better.. I did something to the muscle and joint.. I just want my life back :(

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