Workplace Injuries
Have you been suffering from a work-related injury?
Missing time from work can be both emotionally and financially devastating. It is crucial to make a speedy recovery and get back to a regular routine as quickly as possible.
Physical therapy can play an important role in recovering from work injuries and managing pain. It is important to note that work injuries are often covered under workers’ compensation insurance. Call our office today to learn more about how physical therapy can help you recover.
Types and causes of work injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed.
This is often caused by repetitive motions such as typing or working on an assembly line. Everyone from office executives to factory workers can experience carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to Harvard Health, it is necessary to get treatment for this condition as soon as possible to avoid long-term nerve damage. A physical therapy program may include stretching exercises to improve flexibility and exercises to strengthen the muscles in your hand and wrist. - Tendonitis — Tendonitis can also be caused by repetitive motions and overuse. Symptoms normally include swelling, tenderness, and pain.
Over time, tendons can become inflamed as a result of overuse of the elbows, shoulders, and knees. Left untreated, it can become a chronic condition known at tendinosis.
- Back pain — Back pain can be caused by several activities related to work. Long periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk in the same position, can cause back pain. Sometimes, too much force on your back or lifting items incorrectly can cause severe pain. Back injuries can also be caused by repetition, such as rotating or twisting in certain ways. The American Physical Therapy Association states that receiving early physical therapy for low back pain can be a cost-effective treatment option.
- Auto accidents — Many employees work in a job that requires them to drive a vehicle. Work-related automobile accidents can result in injuries ranging from mild cuts and abrasions to broken bones and severe whiplash. Physical therapy can help you recover from a variety of injuries sustained in an auto accident.
- Sprains and strains — Sprains and strains can occur throughout the body in the muscles and ligaments. You might sustain these types of injuries from repetitive motions or from falling at work. Physical therapy can help you reduce or even eliminate the pain from an injured muscle or ligament.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Injuries
A work injury can affect more than how you feel at rest. Lifting, carrying, standing, reaching, climbing, typing, or repeating the same movement may become difficult depending on your injury and occupation.
After receiving any required medical assessment or authorization, an MVPT physical therapist can evaluate the physical abilities affected by your injury. Your individualized plan of care can then reflect what your job actually requires. Treatment may start with basic mobility and strength before progressing toward the tasks you need to perform during a normal workday.
After receiving any required medical assessment or authorization, an MVPT physical therapist can evaluate the physical abilities affected by your injury. Your individualized plan of care can then reflect what your job actually requires. Treatment may start with basic mobility and strength before progressing toward the tasks you need to perform during a normal workday.
Yes. Some work injuries develop gradually from repeated lifting, gripping, reaching, typing, or other tasks. These demands may contribute to back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or problems involving muscles and tendons when the tissues are not prepared to tolerate the workload.
Your MVPT physical therapist can assess the affected area and learn how frequently and intensely you perform the tasks associated with your symptoms. Your custom-tailored plan of care may include progressive strengthening, mobility work, and temporary changes to activity. The goal is to build your ability to tolerate your job demands rather than simply avoid the movement.
Your MVPT physical therapist can assess the affected area and learn how frequently and intensely you perform the tasks associated with your symptoms. Your custom-tailored plan of care may include progressive strengthening, mobility work, and temporary changes to activity. The goal is to build your ability to tolerate your job demands rather than simply avoid the movement.
The appropriate time depends on the injury, its severity, and any medical restrictions you have received. Many musculoskeletal injuries benefit from early, controlled movement rather than prolonged inactivity, while some injuries require additional medical care before rehabilitation progresses.
Your expert physical therapist at MVPT Physical Therapy can determine their plan of care based upon recommendations from your physician or other authorized healthcare provider. Early treatment may focus on comfortable movement and maintaining strength before gradually increasing physical demands. Your care plan can change as your body heals and your abilities improve.
Your expert physical therapist at MVPT Physical Therapy can determine their plan of care based upon recommendations from your physician or other authorized healthcare provider. Early treatment may focus on comfortable movement and maintaining strength before gradually increasing physical demands. Your care plan can change as your body heals and your abilities improve.
Your MVPT physical therapist will ask about your injury, symptoms, job responsibilities, and any medical restrictions. Your physical examination may assess strength, joint movement, balance, endurance, and movements related to your work.
These findings establish your starting point and connect your care to your actual job. Someone who repeatedly lifts from the floor needs different physical abilities than someone whose symptoms occur during prolonged computer use. Your licensed physical therapy provider at MVPT Physical Therapy can use those specific demands to develop your plan of care and establish meaningful functional goals.
These findings establish your starting point and connect your care to your actual job. Someone who repeatedly lifts from the floor needs different physical abilities than someone whose symptoms occur during prolonged computer use. Your licensed physical therapy provider at MVPT Physical Therapy can use those specific demands to develop your plan of care and establish meaningful functional goals.
Your rehabilitation should become more specific as you progress toward your normal work duties. If your job involves lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, squatting, or prolonged standing, your body needs enough strength and endurance to repeatedly perform those tasks.
Your expert provider at MVPT Physical Therapy can progressively introduce relevant movements and increase their difficulty as you improve. This process identifies the difference between what you can currently do and what your job requires. Your individualized care plan keeps your treatment connected to the work responsibilities you want to regain.
Your expert provider at MVPT Physical Therapy can progressively introduce relevant movements and increase their difficulty as you improve. This process identifies the difference between what you can currently do and what your job requires. Your individualized care plan keeps your treatment connected to the work responsibilities you want to regain.
Recovery time depends on the injury, its severity, your general health, and your job’s physical demands. A minor muscle strain and a significant post-surgical injury will follow very different timelines.
Your MVPT physical therapist can monitor functional milestones such as strength, mobility, lifting tolerance, endurance, and your ability to complete job-specific tasks. These measures help your physical therapy partner at MVPT Physical Therapy adjust your plan of care according to your progress rather than relying on time alone as you work toward returning to your normal responsibilities.
Your MVPT physical therapist can monitor functional milestones such as strength, mobility, lifting tolerance, endurance, and your ability to complete job-specific tasks. These measures help your physical therapy partner at MVPT Physical Therapy adjust your plan of care according to your progress rather than relying on time alone as you work toward returning to your normal responsibilities.
How physical therapy helps
Physical therapy is appropriate for treating work injuries in people of all ages. Our physical therapists use the most advanced treatment methods to reduce your pain, improve mobility, and help your body heal faster. A few of the specific treatment methods may include heat and ice therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and laser technology.
A physical therapist can also teach you ways to perform your job to reduce the likelihood of injury in the future.
A physical therapist can complete a personalized evaluation and create a customized therapy plan that meets your specific needs. Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to potentially avoid invasive surgery and long-term use of prescription drugs.
Contact your closest MVPT Physical Therapy location to schedule an appointment today, or fill out this online form.