Consideration of low back pain in health and welfare workers

Abstract

Once low back pain (LBP) occurs, it is easily prolonged and may become a chronic problem. LBP is an occupational problem among nursing staff at welfare facilities, and we investigated LBP and related matters in nursing staff, who work in health and welfare facilities for the elderly and at a special nursing home. The results concerning staff with LBP and those without LBP were analyzed statistically. There were significant differences between staff with LBP and those without LBP in pain, physical tiredness, mental tiredness, and the physical condition of the pain. Result items without significant difference were stress on the job, master of the basic nursing techniques, and LBP as an occupational injury. Because there is no difference when considering the mastering basic nursing techniques, there is a possibility that many of the people with LBP are contributing to the injury unconsciously, due to improper posture and environment. Especially, the posture used in changing diapers was suggested to be closely related to the appearance of the disease of LBP.