Kathy RN

I am so sorry you are having back problems. That kind of pain can really grind you down. I have found back troubles to be so common to nurses, in the ICU setting especially. We are always bending and lifting, often in a hurry and at awkward angles. If you did construction previously, that probably didn't help, either. My own time in an ICU quickly evolved into continual back pain, which was not even particularly associated with any definitive injury, just these continual and additive stresses and probably poor ergonomics at our workstations, too. I found that good (but gentle) chiropractic care initially, followed by a year of Pilates training (1:1 on special equipment at first, by a well-qualified instructor who was also a PT), with some independent exercises such as weight training AFTER I had achieved good core alignment, was absolutely the best investment I could have ever made. Yes, the Pilates were a bit expensive at first, but the payoff has been incredible! I would encourage any nurse, male or female, to invest in themselves similarly - your career, and comfort, and long-term health, and self-esteem are worth it! I have seen research showing differences in back strength up to nine years later, following one year of good Pilates training. Your posture and flexibility improves, too, and the focus and breathing required are great for stress relief and centering. After some good training, you can continue to work on your own. Employers are happy to hear about your doing these things, too, and are sometimes even willing to help facilitate it since injury prevention is a huge financial concern and risk for them, too. I even had a patient's family comment once, marveling at my ability to bend, scoot, lift, and scurry so effortlessly - at 50+ years young. That and good shoes (or good insoles) led to 12-hour shifts that were pain-free, even when in OT hours! One other little trick that ICU nurses are sure to love: Save the lovely, sterile, flexible, stretchy, strong tubing left over (and usually discarded) when you switch out a chest tube container, cut the plastic fittings off from the ends, sling it over the top of a strongly-mounted door (or similar tall stable object), and use it by pulling downward gently with both hands -- stretching your vertebrae nicely up and apart, opposite of the compression that results from lifting, bending, and gravity. It feels great, and gives immediate relief when you feel that dull ache of over-fatigue!