We often do not think of the potential of injury at the office, or at the jobsite. Imagine all of the hours spent at work – 8 hours a day, 40+ hours a week. Between the tweaks, twists, lifting and typing, something is bound to trigger musculoskeletal injury or pain. Many of us will suffer some sort of pain at the end of the workday – whether it is in the wrists, ankles, or lower back. However, we may not be aware that the pain could be due to our work. Rather, we make excuses for pain, such as “I’m just tired,” or “I’ve always had this.”
When working at a desk, a slouching posture in the chair feels good for a while, but it might not be conducive for preventing long-term problems. Repetitive processes such as typing can cause persistent pain to various parts of the musculoskeletal system. Tendons and nerves can become inflamed due to overuse, which can create serious problems. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a result of repetition and overuse which affects nerves in the wrists that can hinder the ability to work. Even the temperature of the workplace affects how our muscles and joints respond.
According to Blue Cross of California, “an average Carpal tunnel surgery costs the company about $29,000…. but that’s not all. For every dollar the company spends on medical costs, they spend 3 to 5 times in indirect costs such as re-hiring, retraining, down-time and more.”
Labor-intensive work environments, such as a construction site, or seemingly less stressful work such as in a department store, serve a greater risk for musculoskeletal injuries.
Heavy lifting can easily strain muscles and induce severe pain.
Tripping over a box or slipping on loose material can result in strains or broken bones.
Prolonged standing puts stress on bones and can create imbalances in posture.
Musculoskeletal injuries at work have created a widespread problem in the U.S. as well as across the globe. A larger percentage of the workforce suffers every day from pain, and job performance is affected. According to the American Chiropractic Association, “Musculoskeletal disorders alone – like back pain and neck pain – account for more than 32 percent of all injuries that cause an employee to perform poorly on the job or take days off from work, costing employers more than $60 billion per year in lost productivity.”
In the face of this, companies are trying to find preventative solutions. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to dollars spent, corporations are beginning to feel this in the pocketbook. An employee’s reporting and care of an injury in the workplace is a critical piece of the problem. Therefore, it is critical to have a plan for prevention and even a reporting structure for work-related injuries.
One approach for work-related injury prevention is to incorporate chiropractic treatment at work. A chiropractor’s perspective on the musculoskeletal system is truly unique and is an effective approach for preventing and treating musculoskeletal pain.
Educating the workplace on proper ways to stretch, lift, and even providing adjustments are great ways to help eliminate work-related injury. When compared to forking out thousands of dollars for employee injuries, the chiropractic approach is an inexpensive way to prevent and reduce work-related ailment. Promoting wellness for employees will bring health and a more positive outlook on each workday.
Contact us at the Head neck and Spine Center of San Diego for an appointment today. www.newlajolladc.wpengine.com 858-558-3111