Preventing and Handling Injury

Preventing and Handling Injury

Physical pain is a common problem that affects a nurse's wellbeing. Nursing is a very physically demanding job. Nurses deal with overexertion, being on your feet all day, lifting and moving patients, bending forward for long periods of time, reaching and pulling, etc. Physical therapy exercises are great at strengthening problem areas and preventing future injuries. 

Physical Therapy Exercises for Nurses
The most common injuries/pain areas found in nurses are lower back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and leg and feet swelling. 
We reached out to a physical therapist for exercises for the most common problem areas nurses experience. Each body area has an attached document with various exercises and movements. 
  1. Lower BackDownload Lower Back
  2. NeckDownload Neck
  3. Shoulder Strengthening Download Shoulder Strengthening 
  4. Shoulder Pain Download Shoulder Pain 
  5. Knee StrengtheningDownload Knee Strengthening
  6. Knee Pain Download Knee Pain 

Strengthening Exercises Vs. Pain Exercises

Strengthening is just that - it helps to strengthen those areas as well as prevent future injuries.

Pain exercises are for people who have lingering or chronic pain in those areas NOT pain due to a specific injury. Do not do these knee exercises if you have a torn ACL- visit your doctor. 

| Related Reading: Strength and Exercise
| Related Reading: Yoga for Nurses

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