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3 major causes of back pain in nurses

On Behalf of | Oct 14, 2022 | Workers' Compensation

As a nurse, you have a calling to care for your parents. And you probably love your job so much that the last thing you want is to slow down and become one. Unfortunately, nurses are exposed to a range of hazards while at work. One of the most common injuries nurses sustain at work is back injury. 

If you sustain back injury at work, you may be eligible for financial restitution through California’s workers’ compensation laws. But how exactly do nurses sustain back injuries at work? Here are three leading causes of back injuries among nurses:

1. Improper bending and lifting techniques

You’ve probably heard this advice for years, but it still holds: Use your legs rather than your back for lifting. As a nurse, part of your work involves lifting equipment and bending over when attending to your patients. Improper techniques when bending down to lift items or attend to your patients is one of the leading causes of chronic back pains. 

2. Overuse and repetitive tasks

It is not uncommon to perform repetitive tasks while caring for patients. These may include repositioning patients in their beds, transferring them from one bed to the next or transferring them from the bed to the chair and vice versa. These tasks can greatly wear your back muscles, ultimately leading to chronic pain. 

3. Inadequate rest

Sleep gives the body the opportunity to relax and repair worn-out muscles and joints. Thus, it is important that you get adequate rest while you are off duty. Your sleeping position too is just as important. If you are working for long hours without time for enough rest in between shifts, your back will likely not get adequate time to rest, and this can lead to back pain over time. 

Back pain can be quite debilitating. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing damages following a work-related back injury.