Back Clinic Work-Related Injuries Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Team. Work injuries and conditions can occur from a variety of circumstances, altering an individual’s lifestyle, however, those that occur in the work field can often also be debilitating and impairing, affecting an individual’s work performance. Work-related injuries can include bone fractures and muscle strains/sprains to conditions causing degeneration of many structures of the body, such as arthritis.
Also referred to as occupational injury, repetitive and constant motions of the hands, arms, shoulders, neck and back, among others, can gradually wear out the tissues, increasing the risk of injury which could eventually lead to further complications. A collection of articles depicts the causes and effects of many work-related injuries, carefully describing each variety. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Massage guns can help relieve aching muscles and prevent soreness when used before and after physical activity, work, school, and exercise. They provide massage therapy benefits by targeting muscles with rapid burst pulses. Massage guns can be percussive or vibration-based. Percussive therapy helps increase blood flow to a targeted area, which reduces inflammation and muscle tension, and breaks up knots/trigger points that may have formed in the tissues from added stress or intense physical activity. One of the benefits is that they come with interchangeable massage gun head attachments that target different muscle groups and provide different types of massage. There are many types of interchangeable massage heads, we go over the most common to give a general idea of how they work. If experiencing joint pain, injury, acute muscle pain, or other musculoskeletal disorders, make sure to get clearance from a doctor before using a massage gun.
Massage Gun Head Attachments
The variations of attachments/heads are designed and shaped differently to effectively apply the right amount of pressure to rejuvenate the body’s pressure points, soothe tissues, and release tight and sore muscles. The different heads are designed with a distinctive purpose based on the muscle groups targeted. This maximizes effectiveness and ensures maximum comfort and safety.
Ball Head
The ball attachment is for overall muscle recovery.
It provides a broad surface area and mimics the hands of a skilled massage therapist, delivering a soothing kneading sensation.
Made of durable material, the ball massage head can reach deep into the muscles.
Its round shape makes it more flexible to use anywhere, especially the large muscle groups like the quads and glutes.
U/Fork Shaped Head
A plastic, dual-pronged head also known as a fork head.
The attachment provides relief to areas like the shoulders, spine, neck, calves, and Achilles tendon.
Bullet Head
The plastic head is named as such because of its pointed shape.
This is recommended for tightness and discomfort in the joints, deep tissues, trigger points, and/or small muscle areas like the feet and wrist.
Flat Head
The multipurpose flat head is for full-body general massage.
It helps relieve stiffness and pain for total body muscle relaxation, including muscle groups closer to bone joints.
Shovel-Shaped Head
The shovel-shaped head is for the abdominal muscles and lower back.
The attachment provides stimulation to release stiff muscles.
Using The Right Head
Which head to use depends on the individual’s specific needs and preferences. Consider the following factors when selecting a massage gun head:
Targeted Areas
Identify the body areas requiring the most attention.
If muscle tightness or soreness is occurring in larger muscle groups, like the back or legs, the ball attachment is recommended.
For more precise areas like trigger points, the bullet head is recommended.
Heads can be used in conjunction – for example, a large surface area head is used to relax and loosen and relax a general area, then a more precise head is used to focus the massage on the actual tight spot or trigger point.
Massage Intensity
Massage intensity levels can be varied from a light massage to full force.
For a softer touch on sensitive muscles, flat head or forkhead attachments are recommended.
For deep muscle penetration and consistent pressure, the bullet head or shovel head attachments are recommended.
Specific Conditions
Consider any specific conditions or injuries previous and current.
For individuals recovering from an injury or with sensitive areas, it’s important to choose a massage gun head that provides the necessary relief without causing discomfort or worsening an injury.
Try Out Different Heads and Settings
Experiment with different massage head attachments and speeds to find the one that works best for the intended purpose.
Explore each to discover personal preferences.
Start with the lowest setting and gradually increase, based on comfort level.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns before using a massage gun.
Choosing The Right Massage Head Attachment
References
Bergh, Anna, et al. “A Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine in Sport and Companion Animals: Soft Tissue Mobilization.” Animals: an open access journal from MDPI vol. 12,11 1440. 2 Jun. 2022, doi:10.3390/ani12111440
Imtiyaz, Shagufta, et al. “To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).” Journal of Clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR vol. 8,1 (2014): 133-6. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7294.3971
Konrad, Andreas, et al. “The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles’ Range of Motion and Performance.” Journal of sports science & medicine vol. 19,4 690-694. 19 Nov. 2020
Leabeater, Alana et al. “Under the Gun: The effect of percussive massage therapy on physical and perceptual recovery in active adults.” Journal of athletic training, 10.4085/1062-6050-0041.23. 26 May. 2023, doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0041.23
Lupowitz, Lewis. “Vibration Therapy – A Clinical Commentary.” International journal of sports physical therapy vol. 17,6 984-987. 1 Aug. 2022, doi:10.26603/001c.36964
Yin, Yikun, et al. “The effect of vibration training on delayed muscle soreness: A meta-analysis.” Medicine vol. 101,42 (2022): e31259. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000031259
Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries make up a fourth of all work injuries. Repetitive pulling, lifting, punching in numbers, typing, pushing, holding, carrying, and scanning are the most common causes of job-related injuries. These types of injuries are the most common that cause missed days at work. Overexertion can lead to lasting physical chronic conditions, ranging from chronic back pain to chronic joint pain caused by the advanced wearing and tearing of the various musculoskeletal tissues. Chiropractic medicine takes a comprehensive and whole-body approach to treating neuromusculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic relieves tight or damaged muscles, increases nerve energy flow, and properly aligns the joints through adjustments, spinal traction, decompression, and various forms of manual manipulation.
Overexertion and Repetitive Stress Injuries
Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries typically occur over time/years of engaging in the same strenuous activity regularly. However, an overexertion injury can occur with one sudden or extreme movement. A worker can injure muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Overexertion can lead to musculoskeletal disorders with symptoms including:
Inflammation
Swelling
Numbness
Stiffness
Chronic pain
Limited or total loss of mobility in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Types
A few of the most common examples of overexertion injuries include:
Soft-Tissue
Injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.
Back
Pulled, strained back muscles.
Herniated discs.
Compressed nerve roots.
Fractured vertebrae.
Dehydration and Heat Stroke
Most common among workers doing outdoor manual labor.
Repetitive and Overuse
Injuries range from carpal tunnel syndrome to stress fractures.
Often the result of weeks, months, or years of repeated movements
In many cases, two or more injuries can happen simultaneously.
For example, a worker is more likely to sustain an injury if they are dehydrated or they are performing dual tasks.
Causes
Certain movements and activities are more likely to cause overexertion injuries. Some of the most common include:
Daily lifting of objects, light and heavy.
Performing awkward movements that cause the body to be in unhealthy positions.
Standing and/or sitting or for long periods.
Using excessive force to perform tasks.
Operating heavy machinery.
Working in hot and/or humid conditions.
High-Rate Injury Industries
Industries in which overexertion injuries are most common include:
Education.
Health services.
Manufacturing.
Construction.
Warehouse work.
Transportation.
Wholesale trade.
Retail stores.
Chiropractic Treatment
These injuries can lead to missed work, debilitating pain, and medical bills. Depending on the severity of the injury, chiropractic care will use massage techniques, spinal manipulation, traction, and decompression therapies, to increase flexibility and mobility to reduce the chances of a recurring injury. The benefits of chiropractic include:
Prevents the risk of worsening or future injuries.
Expedites recovery to help individuals rehabilitate and get back to work sooner.
Improves physical and mental well-being.
Provide recommendations on how to properly stretch and strengthen muscles.
Nutritional anti-inflammatory recommendations.
By learning how to avoid overexertion injuries, workers can be more productive, enjoy work, and improve their quality of life.
From Injury To Recovery
References
Anderson, Vern Putz, et al. “Occupational fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and related economic loss in the wholesale and retail trade sector.” American Journal of industrial medicine vol. 53,7 (2010): 673-85. doi:10.1002/ajim.20813
Choi, Hyun-Woo, et al. “Characteristics of occupational musculoskeletal disorders of five sectors in the service industry between 2004 and 2013.” Annals of Occupational and environmental medicine vol. 29 41. 19 Sep. 2017, doi:10.1186/s40557-017-0198-4
Friedenberg, Rivi, et al. “Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among emergency medical technicians and paramedics: A comprehensive narrative review.” Archives of Environmental & occupational health vol. 77,1 (2022): 9-17. doi:10.1080/19338244.2020.1832038
Galinsky, T et al. “Overexertion injuries in home health care workers and the need for ergonomics.” Home health care services quarterly vol. 20,3 (2001): 57-73. doi:10.1300/J027v20n03_04
González Fuentes, Aroa, et al. “Work-related overexertion injuries in cleaning occupations: An exploration of the factors to predict the days of absence by means of machine learning methodologies.” Applied ergonomics, vol. 105 103847. 30 Jul. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103847
Schoenfisch, Ashley L et al. “Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care?.” American Journal of industrial medicine vol. 57,2 (2014): 184-94. doi:10.1002/ajim.22240
Williams, J M et al. “Work-related injuries in a rural emergency department population.” Academic emergency medicine: official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine vol. 4,4 (1997): 277-81. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.1997.tb03548.x
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of workplace/job injuries and can happen anywhere. Work areas can have all kinds of slipping or tripping hazards, including uneven or cracked floors, equipment, furniture, cords, wet floors, and clutter from debris. Individuals involved in a slip-and-fall accident can sustain injuries that vary in severity. The key is to see a doctor or chiropractor immediately to document the slipping and falling injuries and develop a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help.
The type of injury and degree of severity depends on physical and biological factors present during the slipping and falling. These include:
Physical Condition
An individual’s age, size, gender, and health can influence the type of injury sustained.
Height and Location of the Fall
Slipping, tripping, stumbling, or tumbling injuries could be minimal to severe, depending on the force, height, and location.
Surface Impact
The acceleration during the fall and how the body impacts the surface play an important role in the severity of the injury.
Body Position
Protective reflexes, such as outstretched arms, to break the fall or whether or not the body hit the ground directly determine the injury and to what extent.
Symptoms
Muscle pain and tension are the most common symptoms after slipping and falling.
The muscle fibers overstretch, causing inflammation and swelling to develop.
The pain can often start immediately after or a few days later, known as delayed injury symptoms.
If the nerves sustain injury or irritation, they begin to swell, and the body responds to protect the damaged areas.
The contact inflammation and irritation can cause tightness and spasms.
Continuing ongoing discomfort and pain.
Stomach discomfort and pain.
Significant bruising.
Limitations in movement.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractors are experts in slip-and-fall injuries and will use adjustments and various therapy protocols to realign the body and restore function. The objective is to relieve symptoms, rehabilitate the injured area/s, and regain mobility. Physical therapy and strength-building exercises under a specialist’s supervision and at home are implemented to get back the use of the injured body part.
Inflammation
References
Li, Jie, et al. “Slip and Fall Incidents at Work: A Visual Analytics Analysis of the Research Domain.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 16,24 4972. 6 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16244972
Pant, Puspa Raj et al. “Home-related and work-related injuries in Makwanpur district, Nepal: a household survey.” Injury prevention: journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention vol. 27,5 (2021): 450-455. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043986
Shigemura, Tomonori, et al. “Characteristics of stepladder fall injuries: a retrospective study.” European journal of trauma and emergency surgery: official publication of the European Trauma Society vol. 47,6 (2021): 1867-1871. doi:10.1007/s00068-020-01339-8
Smith, Caroline K, and Jena Williams. “Work-related injuries in Washington State’s Trucking Industry, by industry sector and occupation.” Accident; analysis and prevention vol. 65 (2014): 63-71. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2013.12.012
Son, Hyung Min, et al. “Occupational fall injuries presenting to the emergency department.” Emergency medicine Australasia: EMA vol. 26,2 (2014): 188-93. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.12166
Forklifts, also known as lift trucks, are used for loading, unloading, and transporting various goods and materials in construction, shipping, and retail industries. They are heavy-duty equipment and require extensive training to operate safely. Forklifts are involved in many serious workplace accidents causing thousands of injuries annually. Chiropractors specialize in injury care and rehabilitation from vehicle accidents and collisions. They can help restore optimal musculoskeletal function and health through adjustments, massage, decompression, and traction therapies.
Forklift Operation
The forklift is one of the most widely used pieces of equipment to raise, lower, or remove pallets, boxes, crates, or other containers and transport and stock goods and materials. There are a variety of lift trucks that include:
The weight, speed, and operation difficulty increase the risk of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries. Other factors include:
They can reach up to 20 miles per hour or more.
They have front braking systems making it harder to stop.
The weight distribution is in the back.
The rear wheels turn instead of the front, causing tip-overs.
Most carry their loads in front and can obstruct an operator’s view.
Lifting too heavy a load can destabilize a forklift and cause it to turn over.
Accident and Injury Causes
Federal work safety regulations require individuals to complete a training program to operate a forklift safely. The most common causes of accidents include:
Lack of training and experience.
Lack of safety equipment – helmets, seatbelts, grab handles, roll cages, cage guards, warning lights, and sirens.
Lack of maintenance – bent forks, no load backrest, unbalanced wheels, etc.
Improper loading – off center, damaged goods, loose loads.
Lifting, moving or tilting the mast too fast.
Riding with a raised load.
Speeding.
Improper backing-up techniques.
Poor communication.
Horseplay.
Giving rides.
Failing to immobilize the machine when the operator leaves.
Failing to pay attention to the position of the forks.
Failing to yield to pedestrians.
Traveling up or down unsafe inclines.
Driving off the side of a ramp.
Design or manufacturing defects.
Common Accidents
The most common type of accidents involve:
Tip-overs and Rollovers.
Falling off the lift.
Getting struck by falling materials or objects.
Pedestrian injuries like getting hit by the vehicle or tripping over the forks.
Getting caught in or compressed/crushed by the vehicle or objects.
Injuries
The most common injuries that result from lift accidents include:
Chiropractic therapy can help heal and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries. A chiropractic team will relieve pain symptoms and restore the body’s alignment and function. Treatment includes:
Adjustments
To gently realign joints.
Decrease pain.
Increase range of motion.
Improves posture.
Soft-tissue massage
To relax tight muscles.
Relieve spasms.
Release tension in the connective tissue surrounding the muscles.
Reduces pain.
Improves the range of motion of the spine and joints.
Exercises and stretches
To restore and maintain flexibility, joint stability, and mobility.
Joint bracing and taping
To support sprained joints or muscles during healing.
Health Coaching
Guides diet and nutrition to reduce inflammation and promote healthy eating to manage weight.
Forklift Fails
References
Bage, T et al. “Forklift-related lower limb injuries: a retrospective case series study with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).” Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England vol. 103,10 (2021): 730-733. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2020.7124
Born, C T et al. “Patterns of injury and disability caused by forklift trucks.” The Journal of trauma vol. 40,4 (1996): 636-9. doi:10.1097/00005373-199604000-00020
Hong, Choon Chiet, et al. “Forklift-Related Crush Injuries of the Foot and Ankle.” Foot & ankle international vol. 36,7 (2015): 806-11. doi:10.1177/1071100715576486
Ull, Christopher et al. “Injuries after Forklift Trucks Accidents – Injury Patterns, Therapy and Outcome in the Context of the Statutory Accident Insurance.” “Gabelstaplerunfälle – Verletzungsmuster, Therapie und Outcome im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Kontext.” Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie, 10.1055/a-1402-1649. 19 Apr. 2021, doi:10.1055/a-1402-1649
Waters, Thomas et al. “Lower back disorders among forklift operators: an emerging occupational health problem?.” American journal of industrial medicine vol. 47,4 (2005): 333-40. doi:10.1002/ajim.20146
Restaurant work takes a toll on the body with the repetitive moving, bending, twisting, reaching, prepping, cutting, serving, and washing. This is especially true of the shoulders, arms, and hands. When individuals avoid treating their aches and pains, this can lead to chronic pain conditions that can cause severe and permanent damage to the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic can alleviate the tingling and pain by removing the compression, re-stretching/lengthening, and strengthening the muscles and nerves to perform at optimal levels.
Restaurant Work
The arms and hands are designed to accomplish various tasks. When functioning normally, tasks can be performed flawlessly. Repetitive/Overuse or trauma can cause nerve compression, stiffness, and pain, decreasing function and affecting daily routines.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common disorders that affect the arm and hands.
The carpal tunnel is a space where a nerve and several tendons pass. If the nerve becomes compressed, it can cause numbness, tingling in the fingers, pain, and muscle weakness, making it difficult to grip objects.
Discomfort and pain start gradually in one or both hands.
It can cause tightness and pain in the shoulder, forearm, wrist, and hand.
It can also cause numbness in the palm and fingers.
Avoid scheduling multiple consecutive long shifts for jobs that require repetitive hand motions.
Body Composition
Sticking To A Meal Plan
Identify personal motivation to stick to a meal plan other than improving body composition. To keep motivation high, individuals need to identify other reasons behind goals. This could be:
Saving money from the food budget.
Spending time with loved ones preparing a healthy recipe.
Setting an example to family and friends.
It can be whatever motivates you.
Reassess and tweak the meal plan as needed.
Nutritional needs or dietary preferences change.
Meal planning should be a dynamic process.
Don’t get disappointed if not going as planned.
Refocus by making changes as needed.
References
Gentzler, Marc D, and Janan A Smither. “Using practical ergonomic evaluations in the restaurant industry to enhance safety and comfort: a case study.” Work (Reading, Mass.) vol. 41 Suppl 1 (2012): 5529-31. doi:10.3233/WOR-2012-0872-5529
Laperrière, Ève et al. “Work activity in foodservice: The significance of customer relations, tipping practices and gender for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.” Applied ergonomics vol. 58 (2017): 89-101. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2016.05.013
Masear, V R et al. “An industrial cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.” The Journal of hand surgery vol. 11,2 (1986): 222-7. doi:10.1016/s0363-5023(86)80055-7
Any job-related back injury can significantly complicate an individual’s life. Dealing with the pain, trying to figure out how to get things done while in recovery, and workers’ compensation to protect individuals who are injured on the job, getting them healthy without the stress of worrying about losing money from missing work.
Job-Related Injury
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or O.S.H.A., a job-related injury is one that either contributed to or is caused by something in the work environment that injures an individual or exacerbates/worsens a previous injury. This is a general overview of the definition, and there are some exceptions. For example, being at the place of work as a general public citizen and not working when an injury happens will not be covered. If not sure whether a back injury is job-related, it’s better to be cautious and report the incident as soon as it happens.
Common Back Injuries
Back injuries are the most common job-related injuries. Back injuries are the number one reason individuals cannot work, whether they hurt their back at home or on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nearly 40% of all musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in lost workdays were because of back injuries. The most common back injuries include:
Every state’s workers’ compensation program is different; however, the basic components are the same throughout. This means that if a workers’ compensation claim is approved and an individual cannot work because of their injury, they can expect to receive a regular base salary during treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. Individuals also continue to receive medical coverage through the company, while the workers’ compensation fund should pay for treatment and diagnostics related to the injury.
When A Back Injury Occurs at Work
When a back happens at work, inform the employer as soon as possible. Do not be embarrassed or feel as if it is not a big deal to seek workers’ compensation. It is an insurance program for both the individual and the employer. An employer pays into the state’s workers’ compensation program for limited liability when employees get injured. Individuals don’t pay for the program, but it protects the individual in case something happens.
Letting an injury go untreated might not be anything at first, but months and years later, it can come back and be worse than when it first happened, causing greater damage, added medical costs, and procedures that the individual has to pay for out of pocket.
Once an individual knows they have a back injury, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent worsening the injury or create new ones and develop a treatment, rehabilitation, and strengthening program. If an individual needs emergency care, tell the doctors about the work injury and precisely what happened. Emergency medical care should be sought out when:
There is a loss of function in any of the limbs.
There is a persistent numbness with the back pain.
There is nausea, dizziness, or vomiting after the injury.
There is a fever with back pain.
Loss of consciousness.
Loss of bowel or bladder control.
If the injury is not immediate and progresses gradually, but suspect that it is from work, it should be reported and examined by a medical professional.
Treatment
Proper treatment for a back injury depends on the severity of the injury. Those who prefer non-invasive, medication-free treatment are able to recover with chiropractic or physical therapy. Chiropractic doctors are experts in the spine and the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic treatment is safe, and proven, and can help relieve pain, restore function, to get back to work safely.
Body Composition
Resistance Exercise
Resistance workouts are made to stress the muscles resulting in muscle gain. Resistance exercise makes the body adapt by growing the muscles to make them more capable of handling intense forces without strain. The stress of resistance exercise causes the muscle fibers to tear at the cellular level. Then, special muscle cells, known as satellite cells, jump into action to repair, rebuild, and grow the muscle. These types of exercises include high-intensity workouts or compound exercises that increase muscle growth. However, there needs to be a healthy balance between workouts and rest to support healthy hormone levels and maximize muscle gain.
Hormones
There are three primary hormones that stimulate muscle hypertrophy. They are:
Insulin-like growth factor 1 IGF-1
Growth hormone GH
Testosterone
Muscle protein synthesis is a critical process in muscle hypertrophy and happens after weight training. The hormones signal to the muscle to repair and rebuild after workout sessions. GH is released in high quantities during sleep, which is why proper sleep is needed to help reach body composition goals. When nutrition, workouts, and hormonal effects are combined, muscle-building happens. Figuring out the right balance is essential for reaching health goals.
References
Burton, A K, and E Erg. “Back injury and work loss. Biomechanical and psychosocial influences.” Spine vol. 22,21 (1997): 2575-80. doi:10.1097/00007632-199711010-00021
High-impact labor jobscan cause back pain, as well as jobs that require sitting all day. Nowadays, everyone is at risk of developing some form of back pain at their place of work. Here are a few tips for avoiding back injuries at work. It does not matter what an individual does for a living, or how it is done. Sitting, standing, lifting, bending, twisting, reaching, pulling, and pushing, all can have a negative impact on the spine’s health and the muscles in the back.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA,work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a common reason for missing work or restricting work time. Back pain and injury prevention/avoiding is the goal along with seeking the proper treatment as soon as possible.
The Risk for Back Pain
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders that affect the spine are a worldwide problem. The World Health Organization has stated in the United States that there is an estimated 149 million workdays lost every year because of back pain, with total costs estimated to be around 100-200 billion a year. And the World Health Organization identified low back pain as the leading cause of disability in the world. The National Institute for Occupations Safety and Health, which is a division of the CDC, listed five primary risk conditions for work-related musculoskeletal disorders:
Regularly lifting of objects
Regular exposure to whole-body vibration like using a jackhammer or driving a forklift
Regular reaching overhead work
Working with the spine in a chronic flexion position
Repetitive work/tasks
Office Back Pain
Individuals that stare at screens most of the day means their spines are at risk for cervical spinal flexion. This can lead to neck, shoulder, and upper back pain.And sitting for long bouts of time with poor posture adds tremendous pressure and weight on the low back. When the body is seated for a long time, the body is not utilizing its core abdominal muscles and back muscles that keep the body and foundation strong and flexible. The more these muscles are under-utilized the more the body begins to fall into the vicious cycle of slouching, slumping, poor posture, and increased stress on the back muscles.
Avoiding Back Injury
With advancements in medicine, there are solutions for relieving pain and getting an individual back to regular work activity. Basic ways for avoiding injuries and keeping the spine healthy.
Lifting with the legs and not the back
Maintaining healthy weight
Healthy diet
Stretching before physical activity and also during work will keep the muscles active and optimal circulation
Overall physical fitness like taking a walk
Knowing when to rest giving the body a break
Focus on recovery during off-hours
Working with Spine Specialists
If the pain is constant or there is a high possibility of an injury, see a medical professional. The correct diagnosis leads to the right treatment, which can include:
Rest
Physical therapy
Chiropractic
Pain management
Medication
Injections
Surgery
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual will have a personalized treatment plan. A multi-approach is recommended, and the most therapeutic for long-term benefits. One treatment option to be very cautious about is opioids. A review in BMJ suggests opioids do not help individuals get back to work faster, and pain control is only short-term. Back pain inflammation is better addressed through anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and exercise. If pain or a back problem currently exists, see a doctor, chiropractor, or spine specialist and find out about treatment options and avoiding back problems.
Body Composition
How Aging Affects the Body
The body’s muscles are constantly being broken down and repaired. When the muscles are used, microscopic tears happen from the regular wear and tear. This means rebuilding those tears with protein. However, as the body gets older, it stops rebuilding the muscles as efficiently. With time, there is a reduction in overall muscle mass and strength. That loss can come from a combination of factors including:
Hormone changes – for example, testosterone gradually decreases
Physical inactivity
Comorbid conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer
But this reduction in muscle mass doesn�t just happen to the elderly. Research has shown that strength and development in an individual’s 20s peaks and begins to plateau in their 30s. For many, decreased strength translates to being less active, and routine activities become more difficult to execute. Inactivity means fewer calories burned, muscle development decrease, and negative changes to body composition including muscle loss, and percent body fat increase.
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
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