The patient can weigh as much as 300 pounds or as little as 100 pounds, but if improper body mechanics are used in lifting them, it's easy to hurt your back.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it happens often. In a 1998 study, more than 10 percent of all work-related back injuries were reported by nurses, nursing aides, orderlies and attendants.

"Many of these injuries can be prevented," said Karen Feder, a physical therapist with the Center for Spine Care at Shepherd Center. "With proper training and other techniques, we can help reduce the number of back injuries we see each year."

Feder offers these tips for those who are involved in moving patients:

• Use good body mechanics when lifting or transferring patients. Proper lifting includes using the large muscle groups, using the legs instead of the back, using good posture to keep the spine aligned, and minimizing bending and twisting when lifting.
  
• Communicate with the patient so he or she can be involved in the process.
  
• Get close to the patient when moving or transferring him; you can maintain better control when you're close.
  
• Ask for help from another staff member.
  
• Use lifting-assistance devices, such as gait belts, rails or draw/lift sheets, if available.
  
• Ask your department to offer periodic refresher training about body mechanics.
  
• If you have a nagging pain, don't force the issue.

"Pay attention to your body because a small ache or pain may turn into a chronic condition," Feder said.

For nurses and health care professionals who have experienced a back injury, Feder suggests:

• Icing the injury during the early stages and taking anti-inflammatory medication.
  
• Using heat if muscles are stiff.
  
• Taking breaks during the day and getting off your feet to relax muscles.
  
• Taking a short walk.
  
• Seeing a doctor if you have numbness or a tingling sensation in your legs or if the condition worsens.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, nurses have the second-highest incidence of all types of nonfatal, work-related injuries in the United States.

"It's much easier to prevent an injury than to come back from one," Feder said. "As caregivers, we're the worst patients. A back injury can be a career-ending event."

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