Stress & Strain: Work Related Injuries

Stress & Strain:
Work Related Injuries
Is work sometimes a pain in the neck, literally? Do you come home with irritated eyes or knotted muscles?
It might surprise you, but you may be suffering from work-related strains; injuries caused through an
overuse or misuse of a muscle or body part. Moreover, injuries at work are shockingly common.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1998, an estimated 120.9 million workers were
covered by workers' compensation. In fact, the Center for Disease Control notes that every single day
"9,000 Americans suffer a disabling injury on the job, 16 die from these injuries, and another 137 die
their job duties are so remarkably different. Read on to discover the different strains of
the two working worlds and tips on how to avoid them.
blue-collar blues
Manual labor is the defining quality of blue-collar jobs. Common blue-collar jobs
include construction, mining, assembly, renovation, and operating heavy machinery. When you aren't held
hostage in an office and you work with your hands (and entire body), the work can be grueling and
potentially damaging. Cuts, bruises, puncture wounds, and trauma injuries are not uncommon in the blue
line of work. Furthermore, heavy machinery and constant lifting can strain your back, cut off your digits,
or damage your noggin. Blue-collar men have to be extra careful to use proper precautionary measures,
protective equipment and know the risks of their jobs.
Common Strains Include:
Muscle injuries
The most common side effect of manual labor is
muscle aches and strains. Improper posture when
bending or lifting, or forcing or bearing too
much weight on improperly trained muscles can
easily lead to muscle injury. Symptoms include
pain, swelling, and stiffness in muscles.
How to avoid it: Gradually building strength, not overloading the weight you carry and performing tasks
at a safe speed, all aid in preventing muscle injury. Stretching before physically taxing jobs can warm
muscles, increase flexibility and build strength, making you less prone to tears and damage.
Back pain
When you are constantly lifting and turning during the day, you can easily pull a muscle in your back and
experience chronic stiffness in your upper or lower back and/or spinal column. Symptoms of back
problems include stiffness, muscle knotting or tension, and radiating pain in your spinal column, either
while active or sedentary.
How to avoid it: The old adage is true: bend with your knees and lift with your thighs, not your back. Do
not hunch over and haul large loads with your back, under any circumstance! Poor form can send you to
the hospital with a slipped or herniated disk and, at worst, you could be out of commission (and work) for
weeks or months.
Likewise, if you have a sore back, use a heating pad and relax for a couple of days. If the pain comes
Among
major
disabling
injuries and illnesses
suffered by American
workers in
1998, carpal
tunnel syndrome led the
pack, with workers
missing a minimum 24
days a year on average.
back, evaluate how you could alter your job duties to be more back-friendly and maybe invest in a back
brace or visit a licensed chiropractor.
Hernia
Yet another reason to learn to lift and bend correctly, a hernia is
a protrusion, consisting of an organ or body part, which has escaped
Usually, an
unsightly bulge and some discomfort occurs with the presence of
a hernia. A hernia of the abdominal viscera, where your intestine
slips and starts poking into the empty space near your groin, is the
most common. Sometimes surgery is needed to repair the damage.
How to avoid it: Because forcing too hard (while pushing or pulling) or lifting too much weight can cause
hernias, go easy while completing hard tasks. Also, if you feel any unnatural pain while working, cease
what you are doing immediately and if you continue to notice anything unusual, check with your doctor.
Sciatica
This pain tends to originate where the nerves pass through and emerge
from the lower bones of the spine (lumbar vertebrae). How to avoid it: Practice the same precautions as with back pains and see your health care provider if the
condition persists.
Arthritis
Years of hard work and brisk or jarring motion can wreak havoc on joints. If you grip tools regularly with
a lot of force, or you are constantly exerting force on your joints, you could be at risk for developing
osteoarthritis in your hands, feet, knees, and hips. If you experience pain, swelling around joints, stiffness
-- particularly in the morning -- or bumps on your hands, knees or feet, you could be experiencing arthritis
symptoms.
How to avoid it: It is wise to employ moderation in the execution of strenuous tasks and use aids like
levers or power tools when possible. Rest frequently during high-impact tasks like using a jackhammer or
running around the work site.
Dislocation
Dislocation injuries occur when a body part moves from its normal position, like the displacement of a
bone from its socket. Lifting too much weight or falling by accident can pop your shoulder out of its
socket, twist your knee or dislodge your hip. They can be extraordinarily painful and require immediate
medical attention.
How to avoid it: However, dislocation can be controlled with attentiveness and caution while working. In
essence, don't climb unstable ladders, don't work on unstable footing, and don't work at heights without a
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