What do you do for your back pain from the job?

[mystc42]

I have been a CNA for 5 yrs now and am currently in LPN school. I constantly am having back pain from work but its not like a pulled muscle or anything. Its just really uncomfortable in certain situations and everyonce in awhile ill get a pinched nerve. What do you guys do to help your back pain caused from the job???

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I use a lot of Ben Gay, my dh massages me and pops my back, and I use medical strength magnets. I bought a jacuzzi and that helps. I never lift alone, and I have good shoes.

I had PT, but it did not help. I lost weight and take a lot of NSAIDS. These help minimally.

I work in a dialysis unit. Unfortunatly, the dialysis chairs cannot be raised or lowered.

Nurses and CNAs have a greater rate of on the job injury than all other occupations except for lumber jacks and construction workers.

80% of all nurses suffer at least one back injury in their careers.

[BarbPick]

Please take my answer with the respect I am writing it with. Back pain can be caused by so many things from bad body mechanics to actual pathology.

I am very lucky to have a good primary care doctor who listens and works with me. Everybody has an answer and quick fixes.

There are a few things you can check out yourself. Look at your shoes, are they the orthopedic kind, are your arches supported?

How is the posture? I just changed bras to the kind that crosses in the back and it has helped a lot.

They now make 8 hour tylenol.

Talk with your primary care physician.

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

I agree with looking at your body mechanics...are you raising the bed up to your waist for procedures or ADLs, etc? I can tell a big difference in days where I am good about raising the beds and days I am not....

Good shoes are important too-if your feet aren't supported, the rest of you ain't going to be either....

If my back is bothering me, I usually take Motrin, Advil, etc (NSAIDS) and I will use my heating pad or I will get in my whirlpool-the whirlpool really helps. Even a warm bath helps too.

If you have tingling or numbness in one or both legs, weakness in your legs or extreme pain-get yourself to your MD.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I have a spa and use it faithfully, the jetting massage works the best for me. Also take motrin, sometimes flexaril. Good shoes.

Ask for lifting assist. Use proper bed height and body mechanics.

[Audreyfay]

I use stretching exercises, good lifting techniques, tylenol, heat or cold, AND a chiropractor!