10.INTERNATIONAL GAP SUMMIT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CONGRESS
LOW BACK PAIN IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Yazarlar:
Nilgun ULUTASDEMIR
In the development of low back pain, the occupation of the people is effective in the first place. Low back pain ranks first among the musculoskeletal diseases that health care workers are exposed to. In studies in the literature, the prevalence of low back pain in nurses was twice as high as in doctors. Considering the working conditions of nurses, shift work has risk factors such as working too early or too late, working area and type. The determination of these risks and the measures to be taken is important both in terms of exercising the right to work in healthy and safe conditions, which is a fundamental right, and in terms of maintaining the services. In epidemiological studies, it has been reported that the incidence of low back pain in healthcare workers reaches 50-60%. It is stated that exposure to low back pain is mostly encountered before reaching the age of 30 and especially in the first five years of professional life and does not cause any permanent damage. In terms of occupational risk factors of nurses among health workers, it ranks third after workers working in heavy industry and drivers using heavy vehicles. It is difficult to determine the cause of low back pain, but it is known that many factors such as living conditions, ergonomic factors, frequently repeated movements, and weakness in the muscles cause low back pain. It is stated that heavy weight bearing, frequent repetitive movements, sudden rotational movements, or standing for a long time and not resting enough are important risk factors for low back pain. The treatment of low back pain, which is one of the most expensive diseases in terms of labor loss and treatment cost, often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Minimizing pain in patients with low back pain, increasing physical capacity and mobility, eliminating psychosocial problems, preventing occupational losses and providing sleep patterns are among the main goals of treatment. There are also methods that do not eliminate the cause of the pain, but reduce the pain and enable the person to regain their old life. With muscle relaxants and painkillers, pain and muscle spasm can be reduced and complaints can be relieved. After determining the causes of low back pain, learning how to use the back in daily life, apart from the interventions for the cause, is the most important element of treatment and future protection. Considering that low back pain can recur very often, the main treatment is to learn how to use the back correctly, as well as to do regular exercise.
