Why Nursing Staff Have Pain

Nursing staff are involved in dangerous lifting manoeuvres because they are often pressed for time in different situations or lack the right aids to spare them from the strain. The strain will be further increased by a combination of being too far away from the lifted object with the head or upper body bent forward to some degree. At an angle of about 90°, muscle activity in the back ceases. Instead, the discs take up all the strain and the vertebrae risk being overstrained.

Nursing is heavy work. It involves unsuitable working positions, working routines which are repeated too often and a lack of rest after strenuous work. In the long-term this can result in injuries which in the worst scenario can be permanent.

There are many causes of occupational injuries, for example: poor knowledge of working techniques, outdated equipment or lack of mechanical aids, stress, and bad working conditions and facilities.

We are all different and therefore our capacity to lift heavy objects varies.
Factors such as body weight, height, physical condition and motivation play an important role in how much we can lift. A load can also seem heavier or lighter depending on how we carry it.

Psychologically we experience pain and strain differently. This, together with our physical differences means that the period it takes for an injury to become apparent can vary greatly. There is, however, no doubt that everyone feels best with working routines that are as varied as possible.

Carrying the same load requires more or less oxygen depending on how it is carried.