Coping with back injuries at work.

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

Sal the 1st — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:17:39 GMT

I found swimming helped mine a lot - and I am a fan of acupuncture, I also have a custom back support which I use when its bad (if you are going to use one of these make sure it actually fits or you can end up causing a lot more damage).

I was always very careful, practised safe lifting etc, was always making sure other members of staff were careful too and then 1 day in June 2006 I had to help an owner get their dog out of their car. Their version of helping was to helpfully hold the lead so I didnt trip over it. So there I was with a 40kg dog half in and half out of the back of their Range Rover who then proceeded to stick one of its legs through the dog guard. Did the owner help? did she hell she yelled at me and then went stomping into waiting room - the dog was about as co operative as its owner. Result somebody came out eventually but by then my back was to put it bluntly buggered. This resulted in a week where I could barely move - most of which I spent on the floor.

I have an L4/5 disc problem, it has definitely reduced my range of movement and is damn painful if you catch it wrong. I have to say tho I have not allowed it to impinge to much on my work - you can be careful and still do your job.

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:36:57 GMT

I have always had a bad back, but when I was younger, used to ignore it, and stubbornly lift the 30kg lab out for a wee - although tbh this was almost 15 years ago, and seeing the 30kg ortho patient lab got out for a wee was part of living above practice!

I've only had one really bad do with my back - thankfully whilst out of practice - but I was bed bound for over a week - took me over an hour to crawl to the loo just over the landing, and another half an hour to get the courage to hoist myself up for a wee!

The docs just told me to take it easy, exercise as much as poss ie walk and move about - and it worked!

I now have my own business offering pet care - I end up walking dogs for hours every day - but not had even a tweak from my back for months!

Whlst in practice tho, I had no problem with refusing to lift anything more than 15kg without help - and colleagues respected that and helped :)

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

Nicola Smith — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:24:36 GMT

Hi, I had major back issues about 15 years ago when first qualified. I ended up coming out of practice for a few years as my back would literally 'go' and I would have to be collected by paramedics!! As a result of 3 popped discs in my lumbar spine I now have 3 fused vertebrae in my back but have been back in practice for nearly 10 years. I do get sciatic pain sometimes which I just take as a warning and do no lifting at all when its bad, and the rest of the time am extremely careful and say no if I think its too much. You have to learn to manage it and know your limits. I found acupuncture helped me massively and do still have the odd session when I am suffering.

Good luck!

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

fiona eldridge — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:07:12 GMT

Please be careful at work. Lifting animals with a bad back is a massive no no. Seriously. I learnt the hard way. I'm still nursing, but now take extreme care and refuse point blank to lift anything heavier than 10kg on my own..... Had to have a lumbar spinal fusion after 2 exploded discs in my spine. Massive surgery and long recovery. Not something I'd recommend to anyone. However on the plus side, it didn't mean my nursing career is over, my back is better than it has been for years....... but no more being impatient and silly with lifting stuff. Learn how to say no!!! haha! Even clients asking to carry sacks of food to their car...... I say no. Be selfish in these situations.

Hope the back feels better soon.

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

bongo — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:26:02 GMT

Could do but in my experience they are all the same

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:37:04 GMT

Can you change GP's when someone's being obstructionist?

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

bongo — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:03:38 GMT

I had a similar situation last year when I tore a ligament in my back. I was off work for two days and prescribed painkillers. Unfortunately my doctor refused to send me for an MRI because my symptoms didnt fit the criteria and I couldn't afford to go private. Instead I went for physio which helped a little but the most helpful thing for me was joining my local gym and having a workout tailored for me focusing on my core strength. Luckily for me I work mainly in the theatres at work so minimal lifting apart from lifting animals from trolley to op table and back again.

Looking back I would have loved to have got referred to a pain clinic but I wasn't aware of such a service at the time. I was just given codeine and paracetamol which didnt really ease my pain massively.

I really sympathise with people who suffer from back pain. All I can say is that its takes time. Mine took a whole year to right itself. Your boss should be sympathetic and have you on light duties. After all its best you do something than nothing at all because your laid up in bed at home!

Also I agree- nag your doctor, I find with the NHS you really have to fight your corner to get what you want and I didnt even get that.

Hope you feel better soon x

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

Katie Mansfield — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:17:39 GMT

If it keeps happening ask your doctor to refer you to a pain clinic at the hospital. I've had two lots of injections in my spine and they really help!!!! I've had problems since my 20's very similar to what you describe. The injections left me pain free for 18mths last time, and able to do whatever I wanted and I just had the second lot 3 weeks ago.

When it's painful I find keeping moving is best for me - gentle stuff. no lifting. Standing in one position for a long time is a no-no so I keep moving, even if it's a gentle swaying - I may look like I'm special needs but at least it stops me getting stuck lol!!!!!

Another thing that I find really helpful is gentle yoga and pilates. Your physio will prob give you a load of pilates moves to practice at home.

Hope you feel better soon. Don't live with the pain though - keep nagging your doctor

K x

Re: Coping with back injuries at work.

meep_ kitten — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:59:44 GMT

Anyone in this line of work, whether it is with animals or human patients, are always in a situation where they are carrying live animals/people of varying weight, with tendency to be uncooperative!! Its part and parcel of the job and everyone is susceptible to injuries of varying degrees - if you are already experiencing difficulties, all you need is one wriggly patient or slip, and you're in trouble for life - best bet is to acknowledge damage now and opt for clinical coaching/mentoring positions - let your doctor write up a slip to say no heavy lifting and let the company do a staff reshuffle to incororate this - this might sound extreme now when supposedly in relative youth, and despite understanding its part of the job, apart from immediate reprucussions, imagine what your spine will be like in a decade or two....