What are they?
Workplace injuries are common among all ages. In many cases an employee who is injured on the job can receive worker’s compensation to allow for a means to pay the bills and live comfortably during recovery. Physical therapy is commonly used to help get you back on your feet after a work injury.
Information and causes?
These injuries typically resolve quickly. However, many workers do not take proper steps to get well or over-do it which can lead to more serious problems down the road and a longer healing time frame.
Workplace injuries are typically caused by overuse through repetitive movements performed during work. Other injuries can include falls, injuries following equipment malfunction, and vehicle related accidents.
The signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of workplace injuries vary widely due to different types of workplace injuries. These can include, but are not limited to:
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- Pain in any area of the body due to repetitive overuse
- Swelling and bruising
- Stiffness
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty performing your usual work activity
Treatment?
It is key that a person receive physical therapy shortly after a work injury to restore strength and mobility early on. The Physical therapist will initially focus on educating the patient about the injury. Research shows that people who are knowledgeable about their condition have better coping abilities. Furthermore, your therapist will work to initially decrease pain and improve mobility and gradually improve strength and function to return to work pain free and with full function. The physical therapist will design a program that is right for you and your goals.
Expectations?
At your first visit you should expect a physical therapist that is there to get to know you, your current complaints, and your goals. Using this information and the information they gather during their evaluation they will set up an individualized treatment plan that will help you reach your goals and get back to your life faster. Treatments could include modalities for pain control, manual therapy to help relieve muscle tension and promote healing, exercises to restore strength and motion, and muscular retraining to improve core activation and stabilization.