If you are experiencing pain as a result of a workplace injury, take comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone. Workplace pain affects millions of workers and ends up costing their employers billions each year in workmen’s compensation claims and in lost productivity.
Sadly, many occupations can place significant demands on your body, especially your back, shoulders and neck. And you don’t have to be a nurse, a construction worker or a factor worker to be at risk for workplace pain. Even routine office work can sometimes result in back pain and other work-related issues.
Lost Work Days
About 186 million work days are lost each year due to back pain alone. This has a profound effect on productivity and labor costs.
And while back pain is the most common type of workplace injury, other risks include overexertion, falls and repetitive motion injuries.
In 2012, the Liberty Mutual insurance company conducted a workplace safety study. They determined that the cost of the most disabling workplace injuries and illnesses totaled $51.1 billion per year in the form of workmen’s compensation expenses. That’s nearly $1 billion per week!
Contributing Factors
In another study, the Mayo Clinic took a look at the most common factors that contributed to workplace pain:
- Force – Lifting and moving heavy objects can exert too much force on your back, resulting in injury.
- Repetition – When you repeat certain movements over and over again, it can easily lead to muscle fatigue and injury. This is especially true if you are stretching to the limit of your range of motion or utilizing an awkward body position.
- Posture – Muscle fatigue and injury also can be caused by slouching, which exaggerates your back’s natural curves.
- Stress – Pressure at work can increase your anxiety. This has been directly linked to muscle tension and tightness, which can then cause back pain or make back injuries even worse.
Side Effects of Workplace Injuries
Lower back pain and other workplace injuries can affect other areas of your life. Many people with workplace injuries return to work even though they are in pain because they feel their career or jobs may be threatened if they report their pain.
Others are anxious about whether their injury will prevent them from continuing to hold a job. And others spend so much time dealing with flare-ups and treating their injuries on their own, that they ignore other important aspects of their lives, such as their families and social life.
Gentle, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatment and Workplace Injuries
Nobody should have to experience pain in the workplace. If you have had a workplace injury, one option you should consider is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By gently decompressing the affected areas so that it can returns to its normal state, our spinal disc doctors can relieve your pain and get you back on your feet in no time.
Contact Valdosta Disc Center at (229) 244-5314 to Schedule your Complimentary Consultation!
