Injuries from work can cause severe and debilitating symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling. A worker may also experience reduced work productivity, temporary or permanent disability, inability to perform job tasks, lost time from work, and an increase in worker's compensation costs. Such problems may result from work that includes lifting heavy items, as well as from office work, such as sitting at a computer for long periods of time.
Musculoskeletal disorders related to work are the leading workplace injury in the United States. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions are a major cause of morbidity, disability, psychological distress, and sleep disorders. Musculoskeletal problems are the most common cause of chronic disability, with over 50% being accounted for by low back pain which is a complex condition, involving contributions from personal and work related factors. The increase in work related back pain and disability occurs faster than any other form of disability.
Low back pain is among the most common medical complaints in the United States. An estimated 65% of low back disorders are work related. They have been reported as one of the most expensive conditions for working-age adults. Ergonomic and postural techniques of bending, twisting, and heavy lifting, and prolonged certain positions and actions such as sitting, standing, walking and motor vehicle driving have been associated with occupational low back pain.
Often viewed as musculoskeletal system specialists, chiropractors have the knowledge and training to deal with work injuries. Chiropractic is one of the more widely used and accepted practices within alternative medicine. It has been increasingly accepted in recent years, as partially evidenced by widespread health insurance coverage.
The effectiveness of chiropractic treatment has been shown by returning injured workers back to work quicker and more affordably than other forms of care. Several studies found that chiropractic patients experienced fewer lost workdays compared to medically treated patients. It was reported that patients who received chiropractic care returned to work on average 2-3 days sooner than patients who received medical care.
Chiropractors favor spinal manipulative therapy to reduce pain, increase mobility, and restore the biochemical and anatomical relations between spinal segments to facilitate rapid recovery. The spinal manipulation therapy has been reported to prevent the development of a chronic disorder associated with immobility and result in successful recovery, especially when combined with strengthening and conditioning exercises and good body mechanics to help restore and maintain health.
Other work injuries that chiropractors treat include knee, hip, and joint injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and a variety of injuries unique to construction workers and firefighters. While many workplace accidents can turn into the types of work injuries that cause long term pain and damage, visiting a chiropractor is the best way to help relieve the pain. Even the mildest injury can sometimes cause permanent disability. Considering chiropractic care will not only help heal the injury, but it will also provide serious stress relief as well.
