BACK TALK: 2016 Back Care

Transcription

1 BACK TALK: 2016 Back Care REQUIREMENT: Attend a Back Care class OR complete the self-study module during Objectives: 1. Define industrial athlete and relate this term to your role a CNA. 2. Determine at least 2 reasons why back injuries have increased among nursing assistants in the last decade. 3. Identify basic anatomy that makes up our back. 4. Identify key movements that support mobility of our thoracic spine and hips. 5. Optional: Identify at least 1 movement activity that you will do on a regular basis. Good News, Bad News and Back News The good news regarding back care is that many health care facilities are specifically studying injuries and environment to understand and attempt to reduce back injuries. Many facilities see that over all self-care is beneficial for the individual and helps you care for your patients better. The bad news is that back and shoulder injuries are responsible for 54% of all injuries and illnesses among nursing assistants. While the number of back injuries is going down in manufacturing, the number has gone up among nursing assistants over the last 10 years. Why? More people are living longer than years ago. This is good news, but, as a result, more challenges are created for caregivers. As people age, they go to the hospital; then to the nursing home, or home with home health visits; and/or hospice care. Nursing assistants are providing care in all these settings. This is good news for the healthcare industry there are plenty of jobs for nursing assistants! However, the nursing assistants job is more demanding now than in the past. In the workforce, those that preform repetitive actions such as lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, standing, and walking throughout most of their work day are called industrial athletes. Industrial-One definition of the word industrial is productive and diligent work. Athlete- a person trained or gifted in sports or physical exercise. Our CNA s certainly are productive and diligent in their work. CNA s, nurses and other industrial athletes (firefighters, construction workers, warehouse workers, movers, farmers, veterinary techs, paramedics, day care workers, and more), can benefit from strong movement fundamentals so that they will be durable enough to meet the ever-changing and rigorous demands of your job. Some industrial athletes face unique challenges. Attempting to move a wiggly, squirming, frightened adult, child, or animal safely requires a different mind-set, preparation, and skills than moving a refrigerator or piano! You can count on the fact that the refrigerator or piano is not going to

2 become weak, dizzy, collapse or suddenly strike out! It takes a special blend of diligence and physical know how to achieve specific goals safely with patients. Our healthcare work force is also aging. Many CNA s, nurses and professional caregivers continue to work into their 50 s and 60 s, and some, even into their 70 s. Their experience is valuable, but the potential for injury increases each year. Patients are discharged from the hospital earlier, are very ill and more dependent when moving into the next level of care. More lifting, transferring, and assistance with ADL s is required, which increases the risk for injury. Repetitive strain injury frequently occurs because of the same actions preformed over and over. Because of this reality, we must learn to physically prepare, work smarter, be proactive and plan ahead. Professional athletes are expected to keep their bodies fit and maintain healthy lifestyles, so the same should be true for us the industrial athlete. Back news: A little back ground regarding how our back works.

3 The back or spine: The spine has 24 movable back bones, which are stacked, one on top of the other, called vertebrae. o Shock-absorbing cushions between each vertebrae, called discs, provide the padding. o Bands of sturdy tissue called ligaments hold the vertebrae in place. o Muscles are attached to the vertebrae by tendons, which keep our back stable, hold good posture, and enable us to move around. o Passing through a hole in each bone of the spine (vertebrae) is the spinal cord, which carries messages from the brain to muscles and organs. o Our back has a few natural curves forming an S shape, which balances the weight of our body and holds our head up straight. REVIEW-the joint by joint approach-primary joint function head to toe and how it affects your back At the end of the day, you are a stacked set of joints with muscles. Each joint and each muscle has a primary function-mobility or stability. Disruption of primary function will result in failure somewhere, sooner or later. Which joints provide mobility and stability? Joint Function Identification Mobility Stability Cervical Spine X Shoulder X Scapulae X Thoracic Spine X Lumbar Spine X Hips X Knees X Ankle X Moving Well is the key to Durability *a quick note about BREATHING-breathing trumps everything. With physical activity, you need to be aware of your breathing pattern or if you are not breathing. Exertion and over-exertion can create the impulse to hold your breath. If you are not paying attention, you may not even be aware that you are doing it. Holding your breath will cause muscles to contract, which will limit mobility, as well as create a significant rise in blood pressure. As you practice the following activities, or any activity, check your breathing. If you find yourself holding your breath, back off the position or activity until breath is restored. *The following activities will be demonstrated and discussed in class presentations or video in on-line presentations.

4 Activities that address movement quality *foam roll demonstration (handout) to help relieve soft tissue tension *T spine rotation with reach (handout) to stretch and increase mobility of thoracic spine *hip flexor stretch unassisted (handout) to stretch and assist hip mobility *active leg lowering to bolster (handout) to improve hip mobility and stability *toe touch progression (handout) to improve hip-hinging mobility *Bretzel (handout) to benefit total mobility of thighs, hips, buttocks, low back and thoracic spine *push-up walkout (handout) a transitional exercise for the traditional push up ***yoga*** to improve mobility, stability, and breathing Summary Most of us will agree that taking care of our back (and OURSELVES) is something that we should do. But, actually doing it will not happen until we make it a priority. Blending the head-knowledge with actions our day-to-day life is the only thing that will give results. THINK about this: Stop: Identify what actions or attitudes end up placing undue stress on my back. Decide to change! Look: What could I do differently? Look for alternative ideas to accomplish what is needed. Decide to try new and different methods and actions! Listen: Listen to others and their suggestions. Learn to listen to our body. Decide to be willing to change because our bodies change with time. Learn to change old habits and attitudes to stay strong and healthy. Start: The most difficult step to establish a new action is the first step! Take the first step and take it! How about step two? And three? You are industrial athletes. Treat yourselves accordingly. YOU are worth it! Back Talk 2016: Connie Tillmans, M.S., ATC/L, FMS-C and Mary Edwards, RN, CHPN

5 NAME: DATE: Back Care 2016 Quiz: 1. Industrial A. Shock absorbing cushions 2. Vertebrae B. A person trained or gifted in sports or physical exercise 3. Disc C. Stacked, movable back bones 4. Ligaments D. Attach muscles to vertebrae 5. Tendons E. The spinal passed through each vertebrae 6. Athlete F. Strong, sturdy bands of tissue that hold vertebra in place 7. Cord G. Productive and diligent work 8. S H. Made up of 24 bones which are held together 9. Spine I. Moving well is the key to 10. hold your breath J. An activity/class that can improve mobility, stability, and breathing 11. mobility K. Something you should not do with exertion and exercise 12. Brettzel L. Primary joint function of the hips 13. foam roll M. A total mobility exercise for hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders 14. durability N. The natural curved shape of our back 15. yoga O. A great tool that can be used to relieve soft tissue tension