The Risks Involved During Manual Handling
There are various risk factors that contribute to back pain. These include
- Strain or fatigue which may affect the spine and the upper and lower muscles.
- A fractured vertebrae may injure the spinal cord, this can cause loss of motion, feeling and function below the injured area.
- Injury or disease such as infection or arthritis can weaken the back resulting to strain, fractures or a ruptured disc.
- Muscles can be torn through being over used and stretched causing back pain
A ruptured or slipped disc is one of the most common and most painful manual handling injuries
What Causes Back Pain?
- Injury
- Age
- Fatigue
- Twisting
- Unaccustomed activities
- Lack of or no recovery time
- Holding or stooping posture Activities which use static muscles
- Sustained or long time holding of a weight
- Activities which use ligaments at full stretch
- Struggling to move someone who is too heavy or awkward
What Are The Warning Signs?
- Leg pains
- A tired and aching back
- Sudden shooting pains
- Reduced muscle power
- Pins and needles in the legs and arms
- Reduced or changed sensation in back, legs and arms