Workplace injuries can be stressful for everyone. Employees face the prospect of missing work for an extended period of time, which can impact your whole life. Meanwhile, employers need to work to address the issues that caused your injury as well as temporarily designate your responsibilities.
Workplace injuries cost employers an average of $58 billion a year. Workers Comp makes up for much of the expense while taking the pressure off employees for healthcare costs.
Workers comp does have its limits. Some states have limits on the amount workers’ comp can pay out for lost wages. Not only that, but depending upon how long you are out of work, you may need to search for alternative employment options to supplement your income.
However, suffering from a common workplace injury does not have to mean lengthy recovery times and stacks of medical bills. In fact, visiting a work injury chiropractor can reduce the number of hospital visits by 60%.
Keep reading to learn about the most common workplace injuries and how a work injury chiropractor can help you get back to work in no time.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on assisting the body in healing itself. To help with this, chiropractors perform adjustments to the spine and joints to relieve pain. However, while pain relief can often be immediate, a chiropractor does not stop there.
Chiropractors provide therapies to heal your soft tissues as well as nutritional advice to help improve the body’s chances of continuing to heal itself now and in the future. The goal is not to have a repeat injury.
Chiropractic care can be used to treat many injuries and illnesses from low back and neck pain to headaches, as well as muscle, tendon, and joint injuries.
OSHA defines a workplace injury as any injury which occurs because of events within the workplace. This also includes any pre-existing conditions which become aggravated due to work events.
Injuries are not limited to traumatic falls or injuries that require hospital visits. Just sitting at a desk without proper back support can cause lower back pain. Improper back support causes repetitive stress on your spine. Compressing your spinal column leads to low back and neck pain as well as headaches.
Chiropractors have a variety of ways to treat work-related injuries. To determine the best option, a chiropractor begins with a chiropractic exam. This exam determines not only where the pain is located but the root cause of the pain as well.
Repetitive stress is most often associated with improper back support while sitting or standing for long periods of time or lifting heavy objects repeatedly. However, repetitive stress is any continuous strain on the body.
To treat repetitive stress injuries, chiropractors use a combination of spinal adjustments and massage therapy.
Soft tissue therapies and physical therapy modalities can help relax tight or strained muscles. Muscles that are too tight can pull or push the spine and joints out of alignment. For instance, constantly hunching can result in the tightening of the muscles under your shoulder blades.
This can result in your shoulders being higher than normal and causing headaches, neck pain, and low back pain. Therapies that address the soft tissues, as well as chiropractic adjustments, can help to realign the spine and joints.
Chiropractors will also recommend exercises to perform at work and at home. These exercises will include regular stretching, postural retraining, movement, and strengthening to help reduce recurring injuries.
Traumatic injuries are usually associated with a fall but can also happen when lifting heavy objects incorrectly or even bumping into something.
These types of injuries can cause muscle and ligament tears which can push the spine out of alignment. This can also put pressure on joints, causing pain and discomfort.
Chiropractors will want to immediately begin treating the injury. Similarly to treating repetitive stress injuries, chiropractors may use soft tissue therapies and physical therapy modalities to assist in relaxing tight and strained muscles.
At-home exercises and stretches may also be recommended to help treatments applied last. Because of this, you may expect to see your work injury chiropractor for a few visits.
Ideally, your workplace has someone assigned to monitor and oversee workplace safety. However, there are steps you can be taking as well to prevent future workplace injuries that could keep you out of work.
The first thing you can do is clear your workspace of any tripping hazards. Pay particular attention to loose cables or cords, cluttered walkways, and furniture that can easily be bumped into.
Notify your safety officer or HR department of any accommodations you may need to maintain a safe work environment.
The second biggest cause of workplace injuries is injuries caused by lifting heavy objects. When lifting heavy objects be sure to lift with your legs. Treat your legs like pistons and use the strength in your thighs and calves to pick up heavy items off the floor.
If you can, try to lift items from a comfortable height, or ask for assistance in lifting the object off the ground. If your job consists of constantly lifting heavy objects, ask your employer for proper back support equipment and lifting belts.
These will prevent injuries like low back pain and torn ligaments which can result from bending over to pick up objects. This also goes for objects that may not be heavy but are awkward-shaped.
Chiropractic care can help to significantly decrease the length of time you are out of work due to a work-related injury. Whether you lifted something wrong, suffered a fall, or don’t move enough in your job, a work injury chiropractor can put your life back on track.
Our team of local Boulder Chiropractors is the best in the business. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get back to living your life your way!
I've been seeing Dr. Cahn for over 3 years now and love that he is relaxed, genuine, and personal. He has helped resolve issues with my neck, low back, and hip. I go in for the treatment, but it's probably the great conversations we have that keep me coming back!
Dr. Guzik is awesome. He's knowledgeable, affable, and passionate about wellness. He has a natural, easygoing way with patients that will put you right at ease. I have only great things to say about this practice and Dr. Guzik!
Both Dr. Cahn and Dr. Guzik are highly knowledgeable and skilled in providing excellent care to their patients. They were instrumental in getting me through an injury to be able to compete competitively in triathlon this season. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing high level chiropractic care!
