Nurses who have lower back pain and power lift or body building

[futurenursepogi]

Hi nurses

i am a nursing student graduating. I have lower back pain for a year now and no it's not from turning patients but it was actually from working out deadlifting. I stopped doing conventional deadlifts and switched to sumo to prevent more injury but my lower back pain has been getting worse. I feel that there's a nerve impingement especially when I do back squats 225 lbs. I know I lift heavy but this is my life, my destress. I am pretty fit eat healthy compared to my classmates and I love what I do. I lost about 70 pounds and really help with my mental health. I run squat deadlift bodybuild but I am so scared in the short run I am gonna be so broken. During my 13 hr shift at an ICU as a nurse intern my back would sometimes kill me and hurt me. I am just wondering are any nurses who are passionate about bodybuilding have back pain? Who are also getting damaged from turning and moving patients. I am pretty preventative about it I have lacrosse balls acupuncture mat and I do yoga daily to prevent more pain

[futurenursepogi]

Hi now that I think about it this right arm shooting pain started this past months during my internship. I really don't want to get more injured I love working out lifting especially weights. I have accomplished so much in my undergrad because lifting has been a stress relieving thing for me. I am really scared with all these injury.

[ElspethQ]

I don't know about weight lifting and back pain but I can tell you that your back is one of your biggest commodities. Treat it well. I am currently recovering from my second back surgery in three years (spinal decompression L4-L5-S1) and have been told that I may have a permanent lifting restriction of 20-25 lbs. If you read your nursing duties that is approximately half of what your job outlines as a requirement to perform one's duties. Not sure If I can even return to school and pass the physical with these restrictions. Not sure where I will go from here. Treat your back better than gold - you only get one.

[futurecnm]

Have you seen a doctor to figure out why you are having back pain? Have you tried PT to help? Are you lifting with correct form? I would cut back on lifting until the back pain improves. You are likely re-injuring it each time you do these heavy lifts.

[Ohren]

Hey futurenursepogi- I am with you on the running/lifting, it has gotten me through school and a stressful first year of nursing. But I agree with everyone, if you are having this pain it is worth getting checked out. Do you have insurance to be able to go see a sports medicine provider? It could just be that there is a stretch or exercise that you need to add in to work this out. I was also having issues with pain, and they were able to help me.

Also- I don't know if it is the same for you but I started having shoulder pain when I tried to squat above 225. For me it was related to mobility issues- I have had to drop down my squat weight and make sure to stretch my shoulders and upper back.

If you are at all worried about your form I know there are places like fitocracy online where you can sign up and submit a video of your lift for form checks.

I hope you can keep up the exercise routine, it is great to meet another nurse who lifts!

[futurenursepogi]

Hi!

Thank you so much. I have seen chiropractors at my school but they never d(x) it as long as it doesn't extend to the leg as herniated disk. I consulted my pcp once and she didn't even assess the area I had to tell her that I needed an X-ray but results came from two years ago and she said there was nothing on it but from the looks of it that wasn't her expertise. I am going to see an orthopedic soon but freaking nursing school takes all my time. I have been stretching strenuously and have been focusing on form rather than lifting heavy weights. Thank you so much for the advice. I am really passionate about lifting as its a lifestyle for me.