Firefighters, what’s your job doing to your back?
A chiropractor’s view. By Stacey Priddle
I recently visited Ferndown Fire station (Dorset) to learn more about how life as a firefighter can affect spine health.
With a father as a fireman, I have grown up with the sound of an alerter going off at 3am and my dad flying out
the door to save lives. I have also seen the effects the selfless work has had on his body so felt inspired to give
something back. All firemen will be familiar with the 6 physical tests you have to go through in firefighter training.
These skills are then utilized in all of your work but have you ever stopped to consider how they affect your spine?
The 6 National Firefighter Physical Tests and how they affect your spine;
1. The ladder climb and leg lock.
Body part affected: during this
manoeuvre the lower back is
twisting under load which can
cause damage to the joints of the
spine. The neck is also under strain if
carrying heavy equipment.
Protect yourself; bracing your core
muscles before twisting will protect
the lower back from injury.
4. Enclosed Spaces; You never
know what challenge will face
your when you get a call.
Crawling in enclosed is essential
to your work and requires
courage and bravery.
Body parts affected; With the
added strain of full PPE your
neck is most vulnerable in this
position, you may experience
aching in the base of your neck
as the joints become irritated or
a headache.
Protect yourself; Give your neck
a rest and tuck your chin to your
chest. Once finished on the job
stretch your neck muscles.
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2. Casualty Evacuation
This is a test of upper and lower
body strength, walking backwards
whilst dragging a casualty.
Body parts affected; during casualty
evacuation the muscles of the
shoulders are at risk of sprain or
strain. This may feel like a sharp pain
in the front of your shoulder, it may
feel deep and ache after a long
day. You may also feel a strain at
the base of your spine as these
joints are under stress. You may
experience a dull ache in the lower
back if the joints are aggravated.
Pain down the leg may also occur
and indicates some stress on your
nerves.
Protect yourself; Avoid sudden
‘yanking’ movements with your
shoulders to reduce the risk of
sprain/ strain. Engaging core
muscles and ensuring the weight is
as close to you body as possible will
help protect your lower back.
3. Ladder Lift / Lower Simulation;
During your training this weight was
only 15kg however in practise your
ladders can weigh anything up to
40kg.
Body parts affected; Your lower
back will take the initial strain during
this movement. You may feel this
as a dull ache centrally or a sharp
pain on either side of the spine. Your
upper body and neck will also be
under strain once the ladder is at
shoulder height.
Protect yourself; Using you legs and
glutes to lift the weight from a squat
position with avoid stressing the joints
of the lower back. Squeezing your
shoulder blades together before
you lift the ladder above shoulder
height will help to protect your neck
and shoulders.
5. Equipment Assembly; Assembling, loading
and unloading heavy or awkward equipment.
Body parts affected; The muscles of the neck
may fatigue and ache as you bend over
during tasks that require increased dexterity.
The lower back is also at risk as a result of
maintained forward bending. You may
experience a dull ache in the lower back after
long periods of time.
Protect yourself; Put your hands on your hips
and bend backwards to relieve the muscles of
the lower back. Avoid bending forward and
twisting simultaneously.