If you ask the average person what jobs are most likely to cause injuries, the answers will vary and most likely jobs that involve heavy or risky physical tasks will come to mind. The truth is, most workplace injuries are not caused by accidents or trauma, but rather the results of repetitive work, excessive pressure on nerves and poor posture.
Many people think that working at a desk job is easy on the body. However, the majority of all workplace injuries are musculoskeletal injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and nerves. Sitting at a desk typing for hours a day may cause any number of physical problems to develop. Poor posture with the shoulders slumped and the head and neck held forward can not only cause head, neck, and upper back pain but also may cause low back pain as the hip flexors tighten and muscle tension occurs. A number of other painful problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and subluxations may also develop.
A term you may have heard recently in your workplace, especially if you have developed a repetitive task injury, is “ergonomics.” Simply put, ergonomics is the science of designing the equipment or workplace to fit the worker. Employers are now realizing the necessity to have proper ergonomic design in order to prevent repetitive strain injuries that can develop over time and lead to long-term disability.
Your doctor of chiropractic can help you with resolving repetitive strain injuries that may have resulted from the ways you carry out work or home tasks. Chiropractors are specially trained to treat musculoskeletal injuries. As part of your successful treatment, your chiropractor will also take the time to discuss how you can improve your workspace to better suit your physical needs and to prevent future injuries
