Chiropractic - Richmond - Purley Page 29

Work Injuries

Injured at Work?Common work injuries include spine disorders particularly in the heavy machinery industries and cumulative trauma from repetitive motions, which can causes neck-shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems. The incidence of cumulative trauma continues to increase as computer usage grows.Back PainBackache, or back pain, is a common medical problem and is the reason for much absence from work. There are many causes for backache. Some of them are due to serious problems, but most back problems are mechanical in nature and can be prevented by proper posture and keeping it in good shape.The back (or spine) has been described as a brilliant piece of engineering design. It is a shock absorber, a support, a spring, a shield, a communication channel and the centre of an array of levers. With all those different jobs, it is not surprising that sometimes things go wrong.Most backaches are due to problems with the muscles, ligaments and joints. More serious problems occur when the nerves or spinal cord are injured, usually by local pressure.The way we lift, sit at our desks, operate machinery and do hundreds of minor tasks can all affect our backs. Trying to keep the back in a neutral position at all times will reduce the risk of backache. This is particularly important with tasks such as gardening and housework, which involve a lot of bending. Whenever possible, bend the knees and keep the back straight when doing things at ground level.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI):RSI a type of injury common to fingers, hands, wrists and elbows. It is caused by repetitive movements or awkward postures.Symptoms include swelling, pain and weakness in the affected joints. Vulnerable tendons can be overworked and inflamed by repetitive manual tasks such as working on a keyboard, working an assembly line or even playing a musical instrument. Types of RSI:Computer- related injuries: Muscle and joint pains in neck-shoulder, elbow, wrist or hands.Posture-related injuries: Back and neck pain, headaches, and shoulder and arm pain.Over-use injuries: Pain and swelling, stiffness of the elbow,wrist and hand joints, Weakness and numbness may also occur.Treatment:Chiropractors at the Wolff Clinic are highly educated and experienced in diagnosing and treating Work Injuries. Treatments are gentle, safe, natural, non invasive and highly effective. Also, the treatments are designed to correct the root cause of your problem and not simply cover up the symptoms you experience. Prevention:Suggestions to reduce the risk of muscle and joint problems include:Using an adjustable desk designed for use with computers; Position the monitor so that it is either at eye level or slightly lower.Positioning your keyboard at a height that allows your elbows to rest comfortably at your side. Forearms should be roughly parallel with the floor and level with your keyboard.Adjusting your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor.Use a footstool, if your feet do not rest on the floor when the chair is adjusted. This ensures a good arm position.Switching to an ergonomic chair, which helps your spine to naturally hold its curve while sitting.Using an ergonomic keyboard to offer your hands and wrists a more natural holding position.Taking frequent short breaks and go for a walk or perform stretching exercises at your desk. Stand often.Keeping your mouse at the same height as your correctly positioned keyboard.Positioning the mouse as close as possible to the side of the keyboard.Use your whole arm, not just your wrist, when using the mouse.Typing lightly and gently.Mixing your tasks to avoid long, uninterrupted stretches of typing.Removing the hands from the keyboard when not actively typing, to allow the arms to relax.Laptop use:Use peripheral equipment whenever possible such as a docking station, separate keyboard, mouse and laptop stands.Have frequent breaks.Use a well set up desktop computer instead of a laptop where appropriate.Carry your laptop in a backpack or in rolling luggage.

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