Bathing for someone with chronic back pain can be a challenge, but there ways you can help them — safely and sensitively.

Bathing can be a difficult issue for those suffering from chronic back pain. Some people, although still in pain, are fortunate enough to be able to wash themselves; others have to rely on caregivers’ help. Here are some useful tips for navigating what can be a tough time for all chronic back pain sufferers.

Showering with Chronic Back Pain
Taking a shower can be a difficult — and potentially dangerous — experience for someone with chronic back pain. Getting your loved one's bathroom outfitted with the following four items can help make the shower a safer place.

• Shower grab bar. Having something to hold onto while taking a shower not only helps with balance, but it also alleviates some of the pressure that standing can put on the back.
• Shower chair. A place to rest inside the shower can provide relief for someone who has a hard time standing for extended periods of time.
• Hand-held shower head. A shower that’s equipped with a chair is made even more convenient when there’s a hand-held shower head. With both of these items, a person with chronic back pain can perform almost the entire shower from a seated position.
• Slip-proof mat. Even with the added comfort of a grab bar and chair, chronic back pain sufferers often feel unsteady on their feet. For this reason, it is important to line the tub with a slip-proof mat in order to prevent a fall.

Baths for Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
Unfortunately, some people suffer from back pain so severe that showering is not an option for them. For those who are mobile enough to make it to the bathroom but still need assistance, a standard bath is suitable. It is important to use a tub that is as easy to get in and out of as possible. For people with chronic back pain severe enough to prevent them from bathing themselves, it can be extremely difficult to lift their knees over a high tub edge.

Another thing to keep in mind is the body position of the person assisting the chronic back pain sufferer. “The caretaker should always be very close to the patient,” says Cynthia Gormezano, MPT, owner of Cynergy Physical Therapy in New York City. “Body should be against body, with the caregiver’s trunk against the patient’s shoulder.” This is important for providing optimal support to the person with back pain, but it also is necessary in order to protect the caregiver. “It is just as important to support the caregiver’s back when they are assisting someone into the tub," she says.

In severe cases of chronic or even acute back pain, a caregiver may have to perform a hand bath in bed. During these kinds of baths, the primary concern should be the way in which the patient is moved. In order to access different parts of the body, the caregiver will need to adjust the patient’s position. It is critical to use a technique known as “log rolling,” which means moving the body as one unit to eliminate bending or twisting.

Bathing Bottom Line
Helping someone suffering from back pain can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to intimate rituals such as bathing, but using some sensible precautions and following these safety tips can help ease the way for you and your loved one.