My son and his grandmother, years ago. He's a lot bigger now.
Darn. I did it again. That familiar twinge at the small of my back, this time a little to the right. All I did was lower my son into his wheelchair. I’ve done this transfer a million times. I know the proper body mechanics. Lift with the thighs; keep his body weight close to my center. And then, with no warning, bang. More like pop. Twinge. Cringe. Darn.
Anyone who provides care for a person using a wheelchair is well aware of the need to protect against back injuries. But how? Back braces are dubious. In my experience, they provide a false sense of security, encouraging me to forget my own trunk stabilization and to lift more than I should. In fact, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) not only agrees, but “does not recommend the use of back belts to prevent injuries.” Just to be sure I wasn’t missing something, I did some research. The Nursing Assistant Education website suggests exercise, rest, warming up. Check. Check. Check. They also list these tips:
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