If you are a healthcare worker, you already know how demanding your work schedule can be. You hardly have time to rest or take a break while at work and you're mostly on your feet. You might even be called upon to help lift a patient.
Lifting heavy items exerts pressure on your back, something that could end up giving you lower back pain. However, you don't have to live with this pain. In this blog, we will identify the common causes of lower back pain and discuss how to prevent it.
Common causes of lower back pain
• Bending and twisting repeatedly
• Constant lifting of heavy items
• Excessive physical exertion
• Falling
• Wrong footwear
How to prevent low back pain
Lower back pain has the ability to limit your productivity and interfere with your lifestyle. Although it is common among healthcare workers, there are measures that you can take to prevent it. Here are some of the things that you can do to prevent low back pain if you are a healthcare worker.
Maintain a healthy weight
A healthy weight will reduce the pressure on your back, thus lessening your risk of suffering from lower back pain.
Exercise regularly
This will make you flexible and reduce your chances of sustaining injuries to your back muscles when bending and twisting.
Use proper lifting techniques
When called upon to lift a patient or a heavy object, lift with your legs and not your back.
Get sufficient sleep every day
Sleeping well each day will give your muscles time to relax and rejuvenate. Afterwards, they will be ready for more exertion the next day.
Wear comfortable footwear
Since you are likely to be standing up most of the time, always wear shoes that will not injure your back or feet.
How to treat low back pain
• Use ice packs on your back if the pain is mild
• Apply heat if you have used ice packs for about 3 days and the pain persists
• Consult a chiropractor if you experience severe low back pain
Summary
Lifting heavy objects, bending, and twisting a lot and wearing the wrong shoes may cause your lower back to ache. You can prevent this by using correct lifting techniques, working out regularly and wearing well-fitting flat-heeled shoes.
If your lower back is aching, you can treat it with ice packs or heat if the pain is mild. Pain-relieving medication may also help, but if the pain is severe, have it checked by a chiropractor.
At Melville Chiropractor, we will assess your lower back problem and discuss a suitable treatment plan for you. Call us now, and with our expertise and experience, we will treat your back so that you can go about your daily activities painlessly.
