According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, work-related injuries account for over 1.1 million missed days of work. Unplanned days off can be monetarily detrimental, especially if you have a lengthy recovery period ahead of you and physically cannot return.
Work-related injuries are scary to think about, but you can find relief through physical therapy for most injuries. Our administrative team will work with your place of employment to ensure that worker’s compensation will cover your services. At Rose City Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy Specialists, all you’ll have to think about is recovering and restoring your function so you can comfortably return to your job.
We offer specialized rehab for work injuries that will foster optimal healing and reduce your risk of future injury. For more information, call Rose City Physical Therapy to schedule a consultation today!
Do I have a work injury?
A work injury can be defined as anything that causes you pain or limited function in your work environment. While this can sometimes be an obvious injury, such as a traumatic fall off a ladder or an automobile accident while in a company vehicle, work injuries can also be more subtle. Sometimes, people may develop injuries without even realizing they are due to their occupation.
Repetitive stress injuries are common in office-related environments, typically due to an improper workstation ergonomic setup or incorrect posture or body mechanics throughout the workday. If you slouch at your computer for prolonged periods of time or tilt your head down to look at a keyboard or important files, you may experience back, neck, or shoulder pain. With time, your spine may even become affected – our spines all have a natural “S” curve but with continued poor posture in the workplace, it can turn into more of a “C” curve.
Tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are also common work-related injuries due to repetitive stress on certain body parts. Tendinitis occurs when the tendons become inflamed by overuse or a one-time excessive strain on them.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes pinched, typically affecting assembly-line workers and desk-job workers. This creates numbness and tingling early on, and in chronic cases, weakness and muscle wasting at the thumb and index finger. At Rose City Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy Specialists, our certified hand therapists are experienced in treating Carpal tunnel and other upper extremity injuries commonly seen in the workplace.
Labor workers, or those requiring day-to-day heavy lifting, can also be affected by these conditions, as their physically strenuous days put constant strains on the body. Those with physically demanding jobs commonly experience single episode injuries but may also experience chronic pain that can be relieved through physical therapy treatments.
How will physical therapy and hand therapy benefit me?
The benefits of physical therapy and hand therapy in the injured worker are vast, and it has been proven that those who participate in therapy treatments tend to recover much quicker than those who do not. Rehab for work injuries is the best option when seeking fast recovery and optimal results.
At Rose City Physical Therapy and Hand Therapy Specialists, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you, based on the specific needs of your condition. We will also provide “work conditioning” to train you to move your body to perform in the correct ways while you’re on the job. For example, if continuous poor posture is the culprit for the lower back pain you’re experiencing, we will help you improve your posture through core strengthening exercises, stretches and safe functional movements. We will also help you implement helpful techniques into your daily work habits to prevent your risk of further injuries, such as:
- Breaking up your repetitive tasks.
- Scheduling at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your day.
- Practicing correct lifting techniques (with your legs, not your back!)
- Maintaining proper posture throughout the day.
- Listening to your body – take a break if you are painful and seek the help of your physical therapist if it persists.
Our goal is to help our patients regain their peak levels of physical function, while simultaneously reducing their risk of future problems. If you are suffering from a work injury, contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained physical therapists or hand therapists. We will help you recover and get back to work as quickly as possible!