Did you know that according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational injuries account for an average of 12 missed workdays? This is usually because employees don’t take the injury seriously and fail to get adequate care and treatment after an accident. As a result, the inflammation, pain, and discomfort increase, and the employee cannot take leaves. According to the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), approximately 2.8 million employees suffered occupational injuries in 2019. Fortunately, chiropractic care provides effective treatment for all kinds of work injuries, whether it’s from lifting a heavy box or repetitive motion. Keep reading to learn more about chiropractic care for occupational injuries.
What Are Occupational Injuries?
Also known as a workplace injury, an occupational injury can be defined as an illness or injury due to occupational demands or an accident in the office. The common causes of occupational injuries include repetitive motions, lifting heavy objects, slips, falls, trips, and exposure to hazardous materials. In fact, according to a report, the three leading causes of work-related injuries are slips and falls, overexertion and bodily reaction, and contact with unusual equipment or objects. Workplace injuries can range from serious fractures to minor bruises and cuts.
The symptoms of occupational injuries can vary depending on the severity and type of injury. Some typical symptoms of workplace injury include limited range of motion, stiffness, swelling, and pain. In most cases, the injury and pain might seem bearable and self-treatable. However, it is advised to visit a healthcare provider or chiropractor immediately. Ignoring the pain can lead to medical complications, which can be dangerous for you in the long run. Listed below are different types of occupational injuries:
1. Repetitive Strain or Motion Injury
As the name suggests, this work injury is caused due to repetitive movement or stress to a certain area of the body. Repetitive strain can damage your tendons, muscles, and nerves. Everyday activities that increase the risk of occupation injury include grasping tools, typing, lifting boxes, swiping checkout items, and moving the mouse. Repetitive strain or motion injury can lead to bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and tennis elbow.
2. Falling Object Injury
Whether you work in a warehouse, office, or facility, an object is always at risk of falling. In most cases, falling objects cause soft tissue injuries in the legs, neck, back, and head.
3. Slip and Fall Injury
If you work in a building with smooth floors, you are at a high risk of a slip and fall injury. This type of occupational injury can affect the knees, wrist, neck, head, and back, causing severe pain, discomfort, and swelling.
4. Overexertion Injury
Overexertion injuries happen from overusing muscles, tendons, bones, and joints. People who work in the same posture for extended periods develop this condition.
How Can a Chiropractor Treat Occupational Injuries?
Chiropractic care offers an all-natural way to treat injuries, pain, and discomfort. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques and equipment to heal occupational injuries effectively. Some of them are listed below:
1. Massage Therapy
Involving manipulation of the soft tissues, massage therapy is one of the most common chiropractic care techniques that are used to treat occupational injuries. The technique can help in reducing pain and inflammation, relieving muscular and nervous tension, and improving mobility. A chiropractor uses massage therapy to treat repetitive strain injuries like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
2. Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation is a technique used by chiropractors to treat workplace injuries like sciatica, neck pain, headache, and back pain. While performing spinal manipulation therapy, the chiropractor uses a device or their hand to apply a controlled thrust to the joints of the patient’s spine in order to adjust the spine to realign with the vertebrae. The chiropractic technique helps in relieving pressure on the nerves, improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique that is often used by a chiropractor to treat repetitive stress injuries and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. While performing acupuncture, the chiropractor inserts thin needles into specific points in the patient’s body. Acupuncture helps in balancing the flow of energy throughout the body, reducing pain, and promoting healing.
4. Physical Therapy
Similar to the concept of physiotherapy, physical therapy is used by chiropractors to treat strains and sprains. Physical therapy not only improves mobility and reduces pain but also strengthens the muscles, reducing the risk of work injury in the future.
5. Preventative Care
Chiropractors also offer preventative care services to help employees avoid occupational injuries. A chiropractor will sit with you to talk about your work routine. They will use the information provided by you to identify risk factors for injuries and will teach you strategies to minimize the risk. The chiropractor will also provide you with advice on exercise, stretching, and healthy lifestyle habits. Follow these practices to prevent work-related injuries:
- Try to exercise every day. This will help your body be flexible, fit, and strong.
- When lifting something heavy, don’t bend your back. Instead, get into the squat position and slowly pick up the object. Keep your back straight, the object close to your body, and watch your step while moving the box from one place to another.
- If your occupation requires you to sit for long hours, try to take a 5-minute walking or stretching break every 2 hours.
- While doing computer work, keep your feet straight on the floor and your knees between 120 degrees and 90 degrees.
- Make sure that your desk chair fits you well and that the computer is placed at arm’s length.
- Your neck and head should be straight at all times.
Treat Your Occupational Injuries with J & Co Chiropractic
Have you sustained a workplace injury? Let the chiropractors at J & Co Chiropractic help you out. Owned by the highly qualified and experienced Dr. Jessica Cho at J & Co Chiropractic, we aim to provide customized chiropractic care plans to heal people suffering from chronic pain and occupational injuries. Routine chiropractic care can reduce inflammation, pain, and discomfort and improve coordination, balance, and posture. Contact us to schedule an appointment in our clinic at Arlington Heights.
