worried about back pain.. what to do :(

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hi everyone,

I'm a relatively new nurse of half a year working on a busy orthopedics floor. Around one month since i've started, i've been having lower back pain.. I can get through my days at work without really noticing it, but it's when i bend at the hip, when i'm lying on my side, when i sneeze (especially) and when i'm sitting for prolonged periods of time that I can really feel it. i've been careful to adhere to proper body mechanics, but i'm not sure if what i have is something chronic or if it will go away in time.. i'm starting to really be comfortable and love my job.. however the number of workers that i know who have been injured on this unit worry me! The first thing i would like to do is determine if it's something that can be corrected by either shoes, correcting my posture, reevaluating my body mechanics.. but if it doess't go away with that... does this merit leaving the floor in search of a "lighter" unit? or taking a break to "rest" my back (if it's even possible to get back to the painfree days...)

any advice would be really appreciated! i'm only 22, and i've got many more years i'd like to continue in this profession...

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I've had the same issue. I previously worked in a heavy adult med-surg unit :cry::uhoh3:. When I started getting back and extremety pains, I decided to transfer to another unit - life is precious. Now I am pain-free :yeah:and the most important thing is... I love my job! :heartbeat

I hope you stay well and you think about your health. Good luck!

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Step-Down, and ER.

I'm 6'2'' and I workout and am in good shape. Working at a med-surg floor when I started as a new nurse took a great toll on my back. I always use to think that it wouldn't happen to me since I am in great shape, but its all about BODY MECHANICS.

I always make sure I use the correct body mechanics as they keep on drilling you with during in service and injury prevention fairs.

But the best thing that helped me the most is wearing a BACK BELT. Its the same belt I wear when I lift weights. Boy, did it make a difference. I never ever felt a stress on my back while working everytime I wore my weight lifting belt.

They have them for all size and shapes. I would highly recommend you wear that back belt and trust me, it will make a difference. Make sure you use correct body mechanics.

Start working out your quads, arms and abs. Those muscles are heavily used with patients and it will take most of the stress off your back.

Take care of your back. I did.

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You really should see a doctor to find out what's going on and to make sure you don't aggravate any injury. That said, I found that a Balans chair helped my back when I had similar sounding pain. It's a kneeling chair, so your hips are less flexed your lower back straighter. I got the rocking one which allows for more position shifts.

http://sitincomfort.com/kneechairs.html

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Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

Yes, see your doctor! Also, consider what kind of shoes you are wearing - make sure you have the right type for your feet...some need more support of their feet in different areas depending on their arches. 12 hr shifts are tough on just about any floor - I did med/surg and L&D before becoming an FNP. I always had to soak in a warm bath with epsom salts to relax my tight muscles after a shift!

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

I have more trouble with my back if I don't make time to excercise (and I DON'T mean at work). It helps me to do some kind of excercise routine on a scheduled basis that involves a gentle stretching of all the major muscle groups. Also, excercises directed at strengthening the abdominal muscles have been particularly helpful in keeping my back injury-free.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

see a doctor! that back pain is a warning, and if you're smart, you'll heed it before you have an all-out injury and spend six months incapacitated. (voice of experience here!) perhaps some physical therapy work to ensure you're using the best body mechanics and some ab-strengthening exercises are in order, but see a doctor! good luck!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

See a back specialist. Don't let it go to the point that I did - where I worked until I couldn't get out of bed one morning. It was 8 months of disability and back surgery, with loads of physical therapy afterwards just so I could balance again.

I'm back on the job, and getting used to things again. But if I saw the right doc the first time around I might have avoided a lot of the acute pain I suffered with.

Blee

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I'm a nursing student and currently experience lower back pain. I would recommend going to a Sports Medicine doctor as he was able to send me for the appropriate test to diagnose unlike my PCP. Unfortunately, I have osteoarthritis in my spine but physical therapy has help tremendously. Hope it all works out for you!!

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