Struggling with Back Pain While Farming Daily
In the agricultural community, back injuries are a common and serious concern due to the physical demands of farming. However, with a combination of core strengthening exercises, ergonomic modifications, and practical prevention strategies, these injuries can be significantly reduced.
**Core Strengthening Exercises**
Strengthening the core muscles is crucial for maintaining a healthy back. Exercises such as the Farmer's Carry, planks, bridges, pelvic tilts, and leg raises can help improve core stability, posture, and lower back strength.
**Ergonomic Modifications**
Ergonomic adjustments can help reduce strain on the back. Using ergonomic tools with curved handles, setting up workstations to minimize bending, and educating workers on proper lifting techniques are all effective ways to prevent back strain.
**Practical Prevention Strategies**
Regular breaks, proper body mechanics training, and the use of mechanical aids can also help prevent back injuries. Encouraging frequent breaks for stretching and movement, providing training on maintaining good posture and lifting techniques, and utilising mechanical lifting devices where possible can all contribute to a safer farming environment.
**Additional Tips for Farmers**
In addition to the above strategies, incorporating massage therapy and regular health checks can help alleviate muscle tension and identify potential issues early.
The Ohio AgrAbility fact sheets, developed with funding from NIFA, offer a wealth of information on reducing sprain and strain injuries, overexertion, and ergonomics for the farm. These resources include titles such as "Secondary Injury Caused by Lifting," "Overexertion Causing Secondary Injury," and "Ergonomics for the Farm."
For more specific advice on managing chronic back pain, farmers may find S. Camillo's article "Terminate job site back pain: 10 tips for managing back pain from manual labor" useful.
It's important to note that farmers are at risk of common back injuries such as muscle, tendon, and spinal injuries. To reduce the risk of these injuries, farmers should avoid working in awkward positions, turn with their feet instead of their waist, wear boots with high-quality insoles, use correct lifting posture, keep items close to their body, limit repetitive tasks, use long-handled tools, "push" rather than "pull" objects, and modify tasks to reduce the need to bend or reach.
The fact sheets were developed with the aim of helping farmers and farm families cope with disabilities or long-term health conditions. AgrAbility offers information and referral materials, on-site assessment, technical assistance, and awareness in preventing secondary injuries.
For more information on reducing the risk of spinal injuries, farmers can refer to the Low Back Pain Fact Sheet on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's website. This fact sheet was reviewed by Karen Mancl, PhD, Professor, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, and Pat Luchkowsky, Director of Public Affairs, Easter Seals of Ohio.
By implementing these strategies, farmers can significantly reduce the risk of back injuries while maintaining optimal physical health.
Agriculture, specifically farming, can be improved through science-driven approach, incorporating workplace-wellness strategies to address common medical conditions like chronic back pain. Core strengthening exercises, such as the Farmer's Carry, planks, bridges, pelvic tilts, and leg raises, can improve core stability, posture, and lower back strength, thus reducing the risk of chronic back injuries. Ergonomic modifications, like using ergonomic tools and setting up workstations to minimize bending, can also help prevent such injuries by reducing strain on the back. In addition, practical prevention strategies, including regular breaks, proper body mechanics training, and the use of mechanical aids, can contribute to a safer farming environment. To further ensure health and wellness, farmers can consider additional tips such as incorporating massage therapy and regular health checks, monitoring for chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease, and adhering to fitness and exercise recommendations.
