It is no secret that there are plenty of dangerous professions out there. According to the Bureau of Labor, firefighters, nurses, police officers, and home manufacturers are most likely to be physically hurt at work. Missing time away from work can be both financially and emotionally devastating, making a speedy recovery extremely important. Luckily, with the help of an experienced physical therapist and a tailor-made physical therapy treatment plan, a full recovery is possible in most cases. In fact, work injuries are often covered under workers’ compensation insurance coverage as well. This means that you don’t have to worry about paying for physical therapy out-of-pocket. You can focus your energy on healing instead.
What are Work Injuries?
A work injury means that an employee experiences an illness or injury that is work-related. This type of injury takes place at your physical place of work, while you are on the job, or at home while completing work for pay. Even jobs that don’t require a lot of physical activity can pose potential health risks for their employees. For example, sitting for long periods of time can lead to a repetitive injury or lower back problems. That’s why there are a wide variety of injuries that can be considered work-related. If left untreated, they can become more severe over time. Some of the most common types of work injury include:
Tendinitis
This common overuse-injury is caused by completing repetitive tasks or motions during the workday. Over time, tendons can become inflamed as a result of overuse or possible infection. Tendinitis should be treated as soon as possible by a physical therapist to prevent further damage.
Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons that workers schedule physical therapy appointments. Often caused by overuse, force or incorrect lifting techniques, lower back pain can make it impossible to complete simple everyday tasks, let alone intricate movements related to work.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This common work injury typically occurs when the median nerve in the wrist area becomes compressed or pinched. Everyone, from office executives to factory workers can experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Yet, with the help of targeted physical therapy, they can find fast relief for their pain and prevent future injury.
Auto Accidents
If you are required to operate a company vehicle, you are at risk of becoming injured in an auto accident. Work-related car accidents can result in a number of different injuries ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to whiplash, broken bones and internal injuries as well. Physical therapy can help to relieve pain caused by whiplash or other muscle and joint strain, with targeted manual manipulations that are designed to reduce inflammation and restore range of motion.
Muscle and Ligament Sprains
These can be caused by overexertion, a slip or fall, or due to improper use of equipment and repetitive motions. By correcting the root cause of a work injury, our physical therapist can help to quickly relieve pain and promote faster healing, making it possible to return to work sooner rather than later.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Treat Work Injuries?
Physical therapy is ideal for treating work injuries quickly, to help you return to work as soon as possible. Our physical therapists utilize the most advanced treatment methods in an effort to quickly relieve your pain and improve mobility, promoting faster healing without the use of more invasive procedures like surgery. Safe, effective, and prescription drug-free physical therapy is an ideal treatment option for people of all ages. From dry needling and cupping to neural mobilization and manipulation, Catalyst Physical Therapy offers a variety of physical therapy modalities. Your physical therapist will determine which modalities will benefit for your treatment plan the most.
Some of the most common physical therapy treatment methods include massage therapy (myofascial therapy and trigger point therapy), therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, electrical stimulation and more. The modalities used for your treatment will depend on the type of injury or condition that you have. If you have received an injury to your hand or wrist, hand therapy would be a suitable option for you. If your injury occurred due to dizziness, proprioception therapy may be beneficial. Your physical therapist might perform joint mobilization or offer Kinesio taping services if you have a joint that is hypermobile. For most conditions, a physical therapist will give you some therapeutic exercises, in addition to other modalities, that will help with your recovery.
Choose Catalyst When Recovering From Work Injuries
If you or a loved one suffers from a work-related injury, rehabilitation with our physical therapists can help you to get back on your feet and return to work as soon as possible. Contact our office to learn more and schedule an appointment.
