Workplace injuries can occur in all industries, and not just those that require manual handling. Work Healthy Australia onsite provider Kristina Del Grosso takes us through the top injuries causing workers to come off the floor.
Top 5 injuries taking workers off the job
Bursitis
Bursitis can occur in many different areas of the body but is common in the shoulder.
A bursa is a small fluid filled sac that reduces friction between tissues in the body, which can become irritated and inflamed leading to bursitis. It is often caused by injury or overuse when there is poor function in the shoulder.
An onsite practitioner can address this dysfunction by prescribing a tailored rehabilitation program while also providing pain relief using a range of modalities and manual therapy. They are able to make recommendations and changes to tasks that a worker may complete throughout the day that may be aggravating.
If untreated, some cases may take months to resolve affecting a workers ability to perform their full duties safely.
Lateral epicondylitis
Also known as ‘Tennis Elbow’, lateral epicondylitis is a common overuse injury that will often present as lateral elbow pain. The muscles and tendons in the forearm become strained with repetitive or strenuous movements usually due to a lack of appropriate muscle strength, poor technique or incorrect equipment.
Lateral epicondylitis can often be treated successfully with early intervention injury management. Onsite practitioners will address a range of contributing factors including ergonomically assessing their workspace and prescribing tailored rehabilitation programs alongside the use of manual therapy. It is important to differentiate between true lateral epicondylitis and other conditions that may present similarly.
Cervicogenic headaches
A Cervicogenic headache is caused by dysfunction originating in the cervical spine that radiates pain to the head causing a headache. The pain and headaches are often triggered by neck movement, sustained or awkward postures, pressure applied to the soft tissue structures or with coughing or sneezing. When suffering from headaches, workers will often have reduced concentration levels and decreased productivity.
Depending on the origin of dysfunction causing cervicogenic headaches, manual therapy can often be an effective treatment. An ergonomic work space can also reduce the incidence of cervicogenic headaches by minimising sustained awkward postures while working.
Myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is caused by the formation of ‘trigger points’ in muscles that are repetitively overused. Poor posture, unconditioned muscles and trauma are some of the common causes.
Myofascial pain syndrome is often well managed with early intervention injury management and there are a range of different techniques that can be used such as dry needling and soft tissue therapy.
Tailored strengthening and conditioning programs can help reduce the incidence of these types of soft tissue injuries.
Articular dysfunction
Articular dysfunction can occur in all areas of the spine however is often a common cause of low back pain.
There are a range of symptoms caused by articular dysfunction that can vary from a mild aching pain to very severe and debilitating low back pain.
Articular dysfunction can successfully be treated with manual therapy. An onsite practitioner can often diagnose and assess areas of dysfunction to determine the underlying cause and provide solutions.
These are just a small number of conditions regularly seen in workplaces that can reduce productivity and increase absenteeism. Contact us to discuss how having an onsite healthcare provider can reduce the impact these injuries can have on your workplace.