Abstract
The attrition of professional nurses is a sad reality. Work-related musculoskeletal lower back pain (WRMLBP) among nurses has been cited as a factor of increased sick leave and poor health. Occupational predisposing factors of lower back pain are strenuous physical stresses of nursing, obesity and poor physical conditioning. Regular stretching and strengthening exercises dissipate lower back pain. This commentary’s objectives are to explain the association between obesity and lower back pain and the exercise mechanism that dissipates this pain, thereby concluding that nurses should consider regular exercise as a therapeutic option.
Highlights
The attrition of professional nurses is a sad reality, estimated to be ranging at 24% biennially [1]
Work-related musculoskeletal lower back pain (WRMLBP) is responsible for the increased number of annual sick days and poor health, which contributes to premature retirement of nursing staff [5] [6]
Occupational predisposing risk factors cited were awkward habitual working positions unremitting for prolonged periods during patient transfer, strenuous physical stresses of the nursing profession, their poor health and fitness conditioning status as well as obesity [4] [6] [7] [9] (Figure 1)
Summary
The attrition of professional nurses is a sad reality, estimated to be ranging at 24% biennially [1]. Many of the aforementioned predisposing factors influencing the attrition of nurses are extrinsic in nature, being regarded as hospital management related challenges. Occupational predisposing risk factors cited were awkward habitual working positions unremitting for prolonged periods during patient transfer, strenuous physical stresses of the nursing profession, their poor health and fitness conditioning status as well as obesity [4] [6] [7] [9] (Figure 1). Smedley et al identified the gynoid somatotype (obesity) as a primary intrinsic predisposing risk factor of lower back pain among nurses [13]. Proper et al and Yuan et al demonstrated that regular adherence to exercise and physical activity curbs the lower back pain among nurses [16] [17]. The authors’ intention is to gently encourage nurses to engage in regular physical activity to curb the incidence of lower back pain
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