Common Back Injuries Impact Workers who Stand to Benefit from Chiropractic Care
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries are the most common non-fatal occupational injuries. In 2014, there were about 200,000 cases where employees missed at least one day of work due to a back injury, out of 1.15 million total cases of occupational missed time for injuries, according to a 2015 report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After back injuries, workers most commonly hurt their hands and knees. Sprains, strains and tears were the most common types of injuries. Surprisingly to some, healthcare workers ranked 3rd behind the transportation and warehousing industries as the highest rates of injuries.
Whether a person is lifting a patient, or heavy machinery, there is significant stress on the body. Proper lifting techniques are vital to avoid injury. It’s not just the blue collar workers who are suffering back injuries. As the use of technology, people are becoming more sedentary both at work and at home. Many are surprised to learn this may make them prone to injuries and chronic back pain as well.
Dr. Robert Lavoie, a Maine chiropractor, “The body was not meant to sit in front of a computer for eight to 10 hours a day,” Robert Lavoie DC, states. “They’re getting all of these aches and pains and wondering why,” he said. Proper ergonomics are to sedentary activities what proper lifting techniques are to manual labor. Having a work station and computer set up at the correct height can make a significant difference.
Just as multiple muscle groups are involved in lifting, there are multiple ways to help the body perform at optimal levels. Good nutrition and sleep give the body the fuel and recovery time it needs. Proper exercise, massage, stretching such as yoga and core exercises all help the body stay in top shape. When possible, take frequent breaks. Even a short walk away from the computer once an hour will help. Whether sedentary or manual labor, it is important to avoid repetitive, unnatural body movements.
Doctors of chiropractic provide unparalleled expertise in the care of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders and their services are a cost-effective care option for these conditions.
- A 2010 study at the University of British Columbia found that care provided by chiropractic physicians is significantly more effective than “usual care” provided by medical physicians for patients with acute and subacute low back pain.1
- Further studies have shown that spinal manipulative care for both chronic and acute lower back pain was more effective and provided more short-term relief than many other types of care, including prescription drugs, physical therapy and home exercise.2
HOW DOES IT HURT?
IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN and someone asked you to describe it, could you? The quality of pain is different depending on its cause, according to the Orthopedic Institute of Central Maine, and understanding the quality of the pain may help identify its origin. Here’s a primer:
- Vertebral (from the bones): Boring, deep and still present when you’re resting.
- Sciatica: Deep, gnawing, burning, radiating down your leg.
- Disc: Poorly localized pain when you sit or lean forward, causing you to change your position frequently.
- Facet joints: Deep, dull, gets worse when you straighten up, wake up or are active.
- Spondylolisthesis: Pain gets worse by bending over or when you go from sitting to standing.
- Stenosis: Aching in back, buttock and leg that gets worse when you stand and walk and better if you bend over or sit.
Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to provide wellness and prevention services. There is no dispute that the leading causes of sickness and death in America are chronic diseases that can be prevented or mitigated by adopting a healthier life style. The incidence of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, Type II diabetes, arthritis, and certain cancers can be reduced by eliminating smoking, eating properly, getting regular exercise, managing stress, and partnering with health care providers to take an active role in maintaining a healthy and balanced life style.
Find a doctor of chiropractic near you today!
Source: Portland Press Herald; Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer.