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What can I do to reduce back pain at work?

I was in a car accident 3 year ago and my back was injured. I had 4 months of physical therapy and started taking jobs that I could sit all day. I have alot of pain when I have to stand for long periods of time. I'm starting a new job tomorrow that will require me to stand for 8 hours a day and I need some ideas to help reduce back pain. Are there any braces I can get? Should I try to get on painkillers? Any input would help. Thanks in advance.

Public Comments

1. Work your lower back out. Lie on your stomach and do reverse sit-ups. Lift your trunk while laying on your stomach. A strengthened lower back helps prevent back pain. My wife has degenerative disc disease and after doing tons of those situps it's become a LOT better.

2. Yes, go to drug store and purchase a lower back brace, this will help ease stress on back, wear good shoes with thick padding. alternate from one foot to another with weight when it starts to hurt. try tylenol and or ibuprofin before going for pain pills. It will take your body a while to adjust to standing this long. also stretching your muscles before and after work will help allot.

3. What I do to reduce back pain at work is..............Go Home. LOL

Sorry...I would think about going to see a chiropractor. I was a little sceptacle at first but I found the best. She is also an alternative medicine healer.

That would be my advice. And don't count out acupuncture.

4. Honestly, I would think twice about getting a job that requires you to stand for the entire 8 hours. If you know that standing increases your back pain already, you are going to be in a world of hurt. If you absolutely must take this job, you need to go back to doing the exercises your physical therapist taught you to do. (Well, even if you don't take a standing job, you should continue to do the exercises.) The most important thing for you to do is get your back and stomach muscles strong and keep them stretched and flexible. As others have said, a back brace would also be beneficial to you. But to answer your other question, I would not take any job that required me to have to get on painkillers. If you have to take narcotics in order to do your job, you need to find another one. I am worried about you standing 40 hours a week with an already painful back. So please, get going on those exercises that your PT showed you, get a back brace, and then when you come home at night get on a heating pad and have your man give you a low back massage! Good luck to you!