The ladder is one of the most utilized tools. Most individuals have a ladder or two in their homes or at work and never consider the dangers. Falling off a ladder can lead to serious injuries like muscle tears, broken bones, damage to the spinal cord, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injury. The objective is to educate homeowners and workers on being more alert, increasing awareness, and reinforcing safety protocols.
Ladder Falls and Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ladder falls account for more than 500,000 injuries and 300 deaths annually. Even professionals with experience in safety can make simple mistakes like carrying too heavy a load or not spotting signs of wearing or a defect that leads to injury.
Causes
Causes can arise from defects or user mistakes. These include:
A Defective Ladder
Old worn-out
Damaged or broken
Loose or cracking rungs
Ladders folding during use
Using the improper type of ladder for the job or task
Incorrect Ladder Use
Carrying dangerous objects or heavy loads
Stretching or reaching too far out
Failing to secure the ladder properly
Recklessness or horseplay
Injuries
Common falls can cause injuries severe enough to require professional medical care. Around one in five falls, on average, cause serious injuries that include.
Muscle sprains and/or tears
Neck and back injuries
Herniated discs
Hip injuries and fractures
Broken bones
Spinal cord injuries
Skull fractures
Traumatic brain injuries
Any of these injuries could cause permanent disabilities or chronic conditions.
Chiropractic Care
A fall can damage joints, muscles, bones, and ligaments without realizing there is a problem or injury. The back and spine are most likely to be affected. When landing flat on your back, the joints that connect the spinal column can slip, causing inflammation and joint swelling. To prevent chronic pain and alleviate acute pain, seeking medical attention and chiropractic care as soon as possible is recommended. After confirming the spine is not fractured or broken, a chiropractor can bring relief and restore mobility and function. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic are committed to helping individuals rehabilitate and recover from injuries. We develop a personalized plan to maximize the potential of recovering and returning to daily activities as soon as possible.
Safer In Seconds
References
Cabilan, C J et al. “Impact of ladder-related falls on the emergency department and recommendations for ladder safety.” Emergency medicine Australasia: EMA vol. 30,1 (2018): 95-102. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.12854
Hicks, Cameron, et al. “Ladder Use in Older People: Type, Frequency, Tasks, and Predictors of Risk Behaviours.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 18,18 9799. 17 Sep. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijerph18189799
“Ladder falls.” Health news (Waltham, Mass.) vol. 4,2 (1998): 7.
Muir, L, and S Kanwar. “Ladder injuries.” Injury vol. 24,7 (1993): 485-7. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(93)90156-z
Partridge, R A et al. “Causes and patterns of injury from ladder falls.” Academic emergency medicine: official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine vol. 5,1 (1998): 31-4. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.1998.tb02571.x
Every day construction workers lift, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, twist, and climb. It�s no wonder that 25% of construction worker injuries are to the back. An estimated 1 in every 100 construction workers misses work because of a back injury with an average of seven missed work days. Many just power through the pain which isn�t healthy and can lead to further injury and pain. Repeated back injury and failure to take care of the back by taking proactive steps to prevent injury, can lead to permanent damage, even disability. That can end a construction worker�s career.
Chiropractic care can help keep the spine healthy so construction workers can stay on the job and be pain-free. Regular treatment can offset the stress that is put on the body each day in this rigorous, physically demanding profession. There are several benefits that a construction worker can gain from seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis.
It helps to maintain mobility
When muscles are stiff and sore, it is natural to try to avoid moving too much. When a person has pulled muscles, or they have a muscle strain, their first instinct is to protect that area. This can lead to stiffness and lack of mobility, especially if the pain is in the back. A painful lower back can make it difficult to move your legs, bend, or even move about normally. Chiropractic helps to relieve the pain and reduce the stiffness so that mobility is restored.
The range of motion is improved
Stiffness can lead to a limited range of motion. If the spine is out of alignment, it can decrease flexibility and significantly limit the joint�s range of motion, whether it�s the back, shoulders, legs, or neck. Chiropractic brings the spine into the correct alignment which improves range of motion.
In one study, 73% of the participants reported an improvement in their back pain. This means fewer missed days of work and much more productive on the job. This is one of the most common reasons that people seek chiropractic care, but it isn�t the only reason. It can help with so much more.
Corrects muscle imbalance
Workers who perform repetitive motions can experience muscular imbalance. This means that some muscles are tight (the ones being used) and others are not being worked as hard. It can cause pain in the area of the muscle as well as in other parts of the body.
A chiropractor can perform a technique called myofascial release to loosen the tight muscles. At the same time, they will recommend exercises for the muscles that don�t get worked as often so that the body can come back into balance. Muscular imbalance can also cause spinal misalignment so the chiropractor will also do an adjustment to bring the whole body back into balance.
Helps the body heal from injuries
Construction injuries are fairly common on a worksite. Most are fairly minor and tend to be ignored by the person until they are in so much pain they can�t function properly. Back strain is a common ailment among construction workers, and it can put someone out of commission for a week or more.
Chiropractic care helps the body heal faster and more efficiently by focusing on the whole body instead of just the part that hurts. The patient receives the treatments at the chiropractor�s office then goes home with advice on lifestyle changes, supplements, and exercises to facilitate and speed healing.
For anyone in the construction industry, especially if their position is physically demanding, regular chiropractic care just makes sense. It keeps the spine healthy and the body moving as it should. It is a simple, natural, effective way to help the body function correctly � because pain is not normal.
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