Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.
Jim Rohn
Pain and Injury Prevention: Be Kind to your Body
Since home settings can be unpredictable, a good understanding of employer’s transfer policies, proper body mechanics, correct stretches and core strengthening exercises can help reduce overall injury risk.
Wellness Fact
The biomechanical strain on a caregiver who weighs 80 kg, is 186 cm tall and is bent 45 degrees forward, lifting a client’s legs, weighing 10 kg, at a reaching distance of 30 cm places a whooping 255 kg strain in the lumbar area (weight of a male lion). The act of moving the client’s legs increases the load to the equivalent of a rhino weighing 765 kg!
Click the icons below to discover links to references and tools to help with pain and injury prevention!
Internet Sources
Body Mechanics and Safe Client Handling
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Strains, Sprains, and Pains in Home Healthcare: Working in an Uncontrolled Environment
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2010/04/16/homehealthcare/
BC Chiropractic Association: Proper Lifting: Think Twice/Lift Once
https://www.bcchiro.com///wp-content/uploads/2019/06/proper-lifting-web-final.pdf
Dr Emily King. Research Study: PSWs Safety in the Community https://pswsafety.wordpress.com/
Registered Nurse Journal: The Body Mechanic
https://rnao.ca/sites/rnao-ca/files/9._The_Body_Mechanic.pdf
Work Safe BC: Hazard Alert: Patient Handling /Soaker Pads to Reposition
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/hazard-alerts/patient-handling-soaker-pads?lang=en
Stretching & Exercises to Reduce Risk of Back Injury
Medium Magazine: How Stretching Could Save Your Life
https://medium.com/optimal-life/how-stretching-everyday-could-save-your-life-eb57645d3b75
Safe at Work California: Stretches for Healthcare Workers
https://www.safeatworkca.com/siteassets/safety-resource-library/publications/stretches-for-healthcare-workers.pdf
NurseLabs: 5 Types of Workout Exercises Nurses Need To Do
https://nurseslabs.com/fit-nurse-5-types-workout-exercises-nurses-need/
Protective Measures to Decrease Body Pain and Injury
American Chiropractor Association: Tips for a Healthy Spine
https://www.naturalhealthchiropracticpc.com/articles/HealthyLiving_spine.pdf
Prevention Magazine: 14 Best Shoes for Nurses and Other Workers Who Stand All Day, According to Podiatrists
https://www.prevention.com/health/a19608765/best-shoes-for-nurses/
The Sleep Foundation: What is the Best Sleep Position?
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeping-positions
New York Times: Best Ergonomic Car Seat Cushions
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ergonomic-seat-cushions/
Web MD: How to Choose and Use Compression Stockings
https://www.webmd.com/dvt/choose-compression-stockings
Toolkits
American Journal of Nursing: When is it Safe to Move a Patient:
https://www.asphp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/When_Is_It_Safe_To_Manually_Lift_A_Patient.pdf
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers: Patient Handling for Healthcare Workers
http://www.ohcow.on.ca/edit/files/general_handouts/Healthcare%20Workers%20Patient%20Handling.pdf
BC Worksafe Lift Calculator
http://worksafebcmedia.com/misc/calculator/llc/
Videos
Dr Huberman of Stanford School of Health: The benefits of stretching:
https://hubermanlab.com/improve-flexibility-with-research-supported-stretching-protocols/
Dr Rangan Chatterjee: 5 minute Kitchen Workout
https://youtu.be/jtZB95-AVZM
Margaret Martin, Physical Therapist: How to do Chair Squat exercises
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpC9QkTc3Y
National Safety Council: Ergonomic Stretches at Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd1f7oAmGlk
Podcasts
Alberta Health: Preventing Patient Handling Injuries
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/Blogs/podcasts/238.aspx
Health and Safety Magazine: On the Safe Side
https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19526-welcome-to-the-show
The Ultimate Health Podcast with Dr. Jesse Chappus
https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com
Found my Fitness with Dr Rhonda Patrick
https://www.foundmyfitness.com/
Professional Standards & Guidelines
The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety: Safe Patient Handling and Mobility
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/safepatient/default.html
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Safe Patient Handling
https://www.osha.gov/healthcare/safe-patient-handling
Support Organizations
Community Care Access Centre: Manual For Lifts and Transfers (Safe Moving and Handling Practices)
https://communicare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CCAC-Lift-Transfer-Manual-English_Final-1.pdf
Center of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-of-research-expertise-for-the-prevention-of-musculoskeletal-disorders/communities-practice/clientpatient-handling-community-practice
Hawaii Occupational Health and Safety: Lifting and Moving Patients Safely
https://labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh/files/2022/09/Lifting-and-Moving-Patients-Safely.pdf
Apps & Technology
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Safe Patient Handling
https://mobile.va.gov/app/safe-patient-handling
Strengthen your back and relieve pain with these focused fitness apps
https://appadvice.com/apps/back-muscle-exercise-apps
VeryWell Fit: The 5 Best Stretching Apps of 2023
https://www.verywellfit.com/best-stretching-apps-5096980
Heart Matters Magazine: 7 Free Fitness Apps
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/8-free-fitness-apps