Chiropractor Advice: Prevent Work-Related Injuries with Some Precaution

Most people think that injuries only occur due to accidents, but did you know that a surprising number of work-related injuries are because of bad habits that most employees are not self-aware of? Here are two work-related injuries that can happen to anyone and some tips on how to prevent them.

Overexertion

If you are constantly pulling, pushing, holding, lifting, throwing, or carrying things at the workplace, then you may be at risk for overexertion. When you overexert yourself, it can cause a subluxation, otherwise known as a minor displacement of your spinal vertebra. This can lead spinal nerve irritation or muscle tension leading to pain that can affect your quality of life.

To prevent overexertion, learn the proper way of performing physical activities related to your job. For example, if you need to carry boxes or other heavy items, make sure to lift with your legs instead of your back. When you are feeling fatigued, take a break as lifting when you’re tired can lead to improper form and cause injury.

Repetitive Motion

If you think you are safe from injury because you are sitting behind a desk instead of doing physical, manual labor, then you may be in for a surprise. Spending too much time on the computer with activities such as typing and clicking can lead to muscle and tendon strain, which can eventually lead to back pain, cumulative trauma disorders, and even vision problems.

To prevent this, make sure that you are sitting in the best ergonomic position possible. When you’re sitting on your chair, your hips must be pushed as far back as possible, while your feet must be flat on the floor. Make sure that your shoulders as relaxed and there is no tension in any part of your body when you are typing. If you’re feeling the strain of your repetitive activity, take frequent breaks or switch it up with another activity. This way, you give your muscles some much-needed relief.

If you are wondering about the best way to deal with overexertion and repetitive activities, you can ask your employer for proper training or do some research on your own. As an alternative, you can also talk to a chiropractor for tips on the best practices when it comes to your line of work.

Sources:
How to Sit at a Computer, Ergonomics.com.au
Top 10 Preventable Workplace Incidents, SafeNebraska.org

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.