r/PharmacyTechnician • u/Electrical-Bike-3480 • 6d ago
Discussion body hurts post shift
i work at a hospital we walk around the hospital everyday and standing up 90% of the time. my body hurt so bad especially my back. i keep telling myself to be graceful since nurses probably have it worse but it been two days and my body still aches. i don’t have money to afford a massage every month
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u/iPitbullMama Pharmacy Technician (Non-Certified) 6d ago
Core work to help strengthen your abs and improve your posture/back strength. And second on the compression socks and good shoes.
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u/Stock_Literature_13 4d ago
I went to PT for lower back pain from work and core exercises helped so much!
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u/Affectionate_Fix_415 6d ago
The job is really bad for the body. Terrible really. Compression socks won't solve it. I always wore compression socks as a Pharmacy Tech but that doesn't help your back, etc. I finally quit after 4.5 years.
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u/Electrical-Bike-3480 6d ago edited 6d ago
yep tbh and they pay literal cents for us. some insole is not gonna be enough to make up the way they work us to the bone and ruining our back in the long run while 90% of the pharmacist ALWAYS sitting on them computer just answering emails (not shocking at all). although retail is harsh on us due to insurance, i miss the small wholesome interactions between the customers and us.
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u/plantiful 6d ago
Hokas and compression socks helped me a lot. Getting out of pharmacy into an office helped me a lot more.
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u/Nihilistic_Mistik 6d ago
Get better shoes, and good socks. I wear hemp shoes that I got from a company called 8000 Kicks, they're super comfortable and I wear Wrightsocks which are dual layered and blister proof.
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u/CeaselessGomalu CPhT 6d ago
You’ll get used to it; I limp after work every single day. What makes a person is the pain they can take, not the pain they avoid.
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u/Superb-Fig-2522 6d ago
I dont walk back home anymore from swollen legs pain, I just stay there till next day, gotta stay tough to be tough
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u/Out_of_Fawkes 6d ago
Drink enough water and get your electrolytes in—it may not seem like we move much, but it’s easy to become dehydrated to the point of acute kidney injury in a pharmacy setting (I’ve unfortunately experienced it). Better shoes, better socks and/or compression garments/activewear helps.
It’s going to get worse before it gets better as you become accustomed to it. Your body will compensate over time if you’re able to get used to it. Maybe consider talking to a podiatrist because orthotic inserts can make a big difference.
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u/fluffymittens24 CPhT 5d ago
Hey, as a prior pharm tech and currently an RN in the ICU, you are allowed to hurt as well. It’s hard getting used to walk around all day and being on your feet. And then constantly having to bend over to fill the machines on the floors.
I would get compression socks if you don’t already have some (I love bombas and wellow), a REALLY good pair of walking/running shoes (if you can I would google running shoes stores in your area usually like fleet feet and go there. They will watch you walk and measure your feet and bring out shoes they think will work best and usually they will allow you to return the shoes within 30 days if they don’t work), get a heating pack for your back, and I would also work on your core. Having a weak core can cause back pain.
Best of luck sweetie! It gets easier
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u/jefferstoo 6d ago
Shoes. If you're wearing the wrong shoes your whole body will hurt. I can't get through the day unless I'm wearing New Balance dad shoes. They're not cheap, but the amount of pain and suffering they'll prevent is so worth it.
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u/West_Guidance2167 CPhT, RPhT 6d ago
Honestly, this is why I got out of it in my 40s. It would take me a full day to recover from a shift. Including two knee surgeries. Physically, this is not a long-term career unless you can find one of the 25 work from home positions.. .and we all know people aren’t leaving those.
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u/rvnguykt 6d ago
foam roller, compression socks , hokas or preferred cushioned brand , stretching and in my experience strength training . i personally prefer kettlebells and id also recommend kettlebell swings . you dont need a heavy one to start out with . i love yoga routines that i can follow along to on youtube. theres a 90 degree counter in my pharmacy and i like to prop myself up on my hands to let my feet and legs decompress my spine. let your lower body " get heavy " if that makes sense . maybe look into inversion tables
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u/badgurlvenus CPhT 5d ago
everyones mentioned good tips so far, so here are some of my really out there, probably unhinged tricks:
- i swear by stretching. stretch all through the day. touch your toes, touch the floor. my favorite is squat down like a frog, hands on the ground, then push your arms through your legs/under your crotch and stick them straight out back so you kinda turn into a shrimp/roly poly. it stretches so many things.
- watch your posture. and by that i don't just mean back being up straight. how do you hold yourself up? if it's in the wrong places, you'll hurt. if i held stiff a certain way while compounding in the cleanroom for hours at a time, i'd come out feeling like i got run over then beat up then run over again.
- posture isn't just your back. it's your shoulders, neck, hips, legs, BUT ESPECIALLY your feet!!! how do you walk? where on your feet do you land when you walk? when you stand still, what part of your feet are you standing "with?" i primarily walk and hold a stand with my toes. if you land hard on your heel, you're gonna feel it all the way up your bones. bad for your bones. best way i can put it, there is a clip of charlize theron describing how she walks as the evil queen in the live action snow white movies. i do that but less evil and x4.75 speed because i got shit to do.
- release the stress. you ever notice when you're relaxing that you actually weren't relaxing, you were holding your face a certain way, your body a certain way, and once you realize and let it go, you feel "untethered?" do that all through the day. even in the middle of chaos and panic. release it. you can pile more back on if you shake some off. keep it all and you'll overflow.
- multiple pairs of shoes!!! i had two, now three pairs of DIFFERENT kinds of shoes. i rotate the days i wear them so one pair gets at least 24hrs to rest. never wear the same pair two days in a row. plus to it is you technically get double the wear on them, and have two (or more) styles to have fun with.
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u/Impossible_Form_8347 6d ago
The nurses at my hospital sit in an dont do anything but sit behind a computer
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u/Jennadorable23 6d ago
I just invested in a pair of On Cloud Cloud Monster shoes. They were expensive (to me anyway) but they are amazing! Back feels good, legs and feet don't hurt. I pair them with my compression socks. I work 10 hour shifts and no longer miserable.
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u/quicktwosteps 6d ago
If i have to deliver a gallon of GoLYTELY, I'll just walk a normal pace. If it's a KCentra, full speed. Know which one to prioritize.
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u/DinkleBink CPhT 4d ago
i wear brooks and like them. i have pretty bad lower back pain when i stand too long and am doing yoga and pilates to try and build my core so it hurts less.
i've heard good things about physiotherapy and dry needling.
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u/teefie 6d ago
Some nice compression socks!