Don’t let back pain end your career as a caregiver

Caregiving is a dangerous job. Back injuries are a serious risk of professional and informal caregiving. Safe lifting techniques and preventive stretching are not enough to completely protect caregivers from the physical strain of the job, but they do have an impact on reducing injury.

Healthcare workers often experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) at a rate exceeding that of workers in construction, mining, and manufacturing. CDC

The infographic below has some great stretches for avoiding back injuries. If you’d like to see someone demonstrate the technique, PhysEd has you covered.

Image source: Fix.com, by Andrea Metcalf.

Protecting professional caregivers

Some hospitals have done little to protect their workers from permanent disability, while others are making great strides in worker protection. What does your employer do to protect you from getting injured on the job? Share your experience in the comments below or on the forums.