getting "in shape"

[sophie<3]

i am starting nursing school in january (yay!) and i was wondering..for those of you already in the program, how's your back feeling? i have some minor back issues already and do not do any heavy lifting, just muscle spasms and some aches and pains. i am nervous about clinicals and the toll it is going to take on my body. i want to start an exercise program to get more core and arm strength so i won't depend on my back so much (my arms are kind of scrawny, haha). any suggestions or tips? thanks in advance

[MzCie]

berfore i started nusing school i was already having back problems. im not going to say that they got too much worse but its definately not better between sitting in a chair 7 1/2 hrs to standing 8 1/2 hrs its not nice. work on your posture invest in insoles or cushions for your shoes and proper postioning when you lift or transfer is a must

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I already have had back issues, chronic back issues, mainly my lower back and hips but to add to it I have very large breasts which give me upper back and neck pain.

This semester Clinicals were only 1 day a week for 8 weeks. It was hell on my back. I even made sure to get really good shoes with good insoles to help, (I also have flat feet but have a natural high arch, just never protected that arch) I am about 40 lbs overweight as well. (have had the chronic back problems and large breasts though before I was over weight. I gained a lot of weight with my last pregnancy because I was on bed rest for 6.5 months and was in so much pain after, had hysterectomy and still had so much pain that I was out of commission for a long time). ANYWAY!!! Next semester starts the clinicals in the hospital and twice a week, I have decided to be proactive, I am trying to lose the weight even though it's painful to work out, I also went to my Doc and got a referral to start PT for my back.

Last year I went to a Chiropractor for about 6 months, he had me in there a lot. 3x a week starting off and put me on a payment plan for the 6 months of care that included everything.

This helped SOOOOOOOOOO much, but after the 6 months I couldn't afford to keep going since I was already going to be paying on the first 6 months for 2 years.

Anyway, be proactive, it sounds like your trying to be, really strengthen your core. It doesn't get better in nursing school.

[learninmama]

I've had back issues off & on since I was a teenager do to large breasts as well. Additionally having 2 children back to back & dealing with my ppd with food for quite some time I had gained quite a bit I started going to a Chiropractor but had to go every other day. It was a very short term fix for me. I was then referred to PT. In turn they recommended I take up swimming to help build strength as well as a few other strength building methods. I used to have access to an indoor pool & went 5 times a week, it helped me so much! I also agree good shoes are very important! I would get in to see your regular dr & go from there.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Yeah within a few months of stopping with the Chiro my issues got worse again, it has to be a lifetime commitment