Most people will probably have back pain at some point in their lives. But because nursing is such a physically demanding profession, the prevalence of back pain among nurses is much higher and more frequent. We know that 51% to 90% of people may have back pain at some point. Back discomfort is also one of the most common causes for people to seek medical attention. This places a financial and medical burden on society.
How Does Back Pain Develop?
Back pain can have several adverse side effects, one of which is that it can significantly increase dread and anxiety. Since we know that bad backs get better with movement, many people with back pain can feel somewhat afraid of moving, especially when the pain is extreme. As a result, they become fearful of walking or moving usually. Therefore, the fear element may affect how well patients recover.
Many different jobs might cause back pain. Back pain can also result from a profession that requires you to sit down for extended periods each day. There is no evidence to back the idea that people should constantly be sitting up straight. Regardless of your posture, the issue occurs if you spend eight hours a day sitting in front of a computer without getting up, shifting positions, or taking breaks.
Why Does Being a Nurse Make You Susceptible to Back Pain?
Being a nurse is associated with spinal pain because 70% of all nurses will experience at least one episode of back pain each year, compared to a 51% to 90% likelihood for the general population to share one episode in their lifetime. Anyone suffering from back pain has a high probability of continuing to experience issues after their initial incident. This is typical for all people with severe back pain.
The lifting and non-lifting tasks involved in nursing can strain the back. Although there is a no-lifting policy, the nurses must perform several jobs that require lifting, like changing beds and cleaning. Several variables contribute to this. For someone in good health, being on their feet all day may not be a problem. But for others, if they lead a somewhat sedentary lifestyle outside of work and then perform a very active 12-hour shift, it may cause significant back pain.
How Can Nurses Prevent Back Pain?
One of the finest things nurses, or anyone, can do when they are in pain is to get the support they require in addition to exercising (even for just 10 minutes a day) and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For nurses, this can entail talking to their line manager and explaining the problem and any potential causes. If it relates to a daily activity they engage in frequently, it would be wise to seek assistance from one of the on-site physiotherapists. This is so they can determine whether the equipment is appropriate or inappropriate for the job they undertake.
Although nurses work in a profession to help others, it is essential to make your well-being a priority, as well. If you have back pain, do yourself a favor and get a check-up. That way, you will not only succeed at your job better, but you will also have a more pain-free life!
