Work injuries are common, and any kind of injury can occur in the workplace. It is reported that 2.8 million nonfatal work injuries or illnesses occur each year among private industry employees. If you are an employee who suffers work injuries, you may feel the urge to recover quickly so that you can return to your work.
Physical therapy is an effective treatment for work injuries that helps in managing pain and promoting speedy recovery. Physical therapists are experts in analyzing the injury and providing the patients with the appropriate physical therapy treatments that help relieve pain, improve mobility, and promote overall healing.
What are Work Injuries?
Work injuries are illnesses or injuries that a person suffers in their workplace. Any kind of occupation that involves hard physical work or dangerous situations can lead to severe injuries. Office work, for example, work in the Information Technology field, can also cause injuries due to sitting in the same position for prolonged periods.
Factory work can lead to repetitive motion injuries or fractures caused by lifting heavy objects. It is crucial to treat these types of injuries as soon as possible because they can become more severe over time when left untreated.
Common Causes of Work Injuries
Work injuries occur as a result of several causes, and that may include the following.
1) Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common work injuries that accounts for one of every five injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Eighty percent of these injuries occur to the lower back, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Back pain can be caused due to various reasons, like sitting at a desk in the same position for a long time or lifting items incorrectly.
2) Strains and Sprains
A strain is caused as a result of tearing of muscles or overextension beyond its limit. A sprain is caused as a result of tearing of ligaments or overextension beyond its limit. These injuries can occur throughout the body and can be caused due to repetitive motions or from falling at work or improper use of equipment on the job.
3) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a common work injury that is caused due to increased pressure in the median nerve within the wrist. The median nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the thumb, middle and index fingers, and half of the ring finger.
It causes burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms and hands. It occurs as a result of repetitive movements such as typing or working on an assembly line. The Harvard Health report says that this condition needs to be treated as soon as possible because it may lead to long-term nerve damage.
4) Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs due to the overuse of the tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. It causes the tendon to be inflamed or irritated over time, thus leading to pain, swelling, and discomfort. The condition makes it difficult to move the affected joint and can occur in the shoulders, knees, and elbows.
Physical Therapy for Work Injuries
Physical therapists ask the injured patients about their medical history and conduct a job analysis to determine the reason for their injury or pain. Then the physical therapists provide them with an individualized treatment plan that may include exercises and other physical therapy modalities that aids them in quick recovery.
To Treat Injuries:
1) Exercises
Depending on the type of injury, physical therapists will suggest exercises that help patients improve their range of motion and flexibility. Stretching the tight muscles keep the muscles flexible and strong. They also recommend strengthening exercises that help build strength and stabilize the core muscles, thus enabling the patients to recover from work injuries.
2) Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy depends on the buoyancy of water to treat work injuries. It is the external or internal use of water in different ways to promote well-being in patients. It is one of the low-impact aerobic conditioning programs physical therapists prefer to induce relaxation in injured patients.
The buoyancy of the water helps the patients eliminate excess pressure on the body and perform movements that help relieve pain. Hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy effectively treats the pain associated with work injuries such as low back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome.
3) Other physical therapy modalities that treat work injuries include Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(TENS) that promotes pain relief, and Low-Level Laser Therapy(LLLT) treatment that helps to repair soft tissues.
To Prevent Further Injury:
1) Exercises
Exercises keep the muscles strong and build new muscle mass. Improving muscle strength prepares the body for strenuous activities and also helps in preventing the risk of injury. They also help to improve posture and reduce the risk of back pain. Exercises also enhance the release of endorphins, thus helping in increasing energy and boosting mood. Employees can perform push-ups, squats, and low-impact exercises like walking to prevent episodes of further injuries.
2) Ergonomic Training
Physical therapists perform the ergonomic assessment by examining the employees and the environment they work in. They use the assessment data to suggest modifying or rearranging the workplace in a specific way that benefits the employees by reducing the risk of injuries. They also educate them on good working posture and using protection equipment like gloves while lifting heavy injuries.
Final Thoughts
Work injuries can affect employees of any work and can lead to severe consequences if left untreated. Every employee must be careful by maintaining good posture and using protective gear while performing field works so that they can prevent future work injuries.
