It is no secret that there are plenty of dangerous professions out there. According to the Bureau of Labor, firefighters, nurses, police officers and home manufacturers are among the occupational groups that are most likely to be physically hurt at work. Missing time away from work can be both financially and emotionally devastating, making a speedy recovery extremely important. Luckily, with the help of an experienced physical therapist and a tailor-made physical and occupational therapy treatment plan, a full recovery is possible in most cases. In fact, work injuries are often covered under workers’ compensation insurance coverage as well. This means that you don’t have to worry about paying for physical and occupational therapy out-of-pocket and can focus your energy on healing instead. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of physical and occupational therapy for work injuries and contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What is a Work Injury?
Anytime that an employee experiences an illness or injury that is work-related, it is defined as a work injury. This type of injury can take place at your physical place of work, while you are on the job or at home while completing work for pay. Even jobs that don’t require a lot of physical activity can pose potential health risks for their employees, For example, sitting for long periods of time can lead to a repetitive injury or lower back problems. That’s why there are a wide variety of injuries that can be considered work-related and if left untreated, they can become more severe over time. Some of the most common types of work injury include:
Tendinitis
This is a common overuse injury that is caused by completing repetitive tasks or motions during the workday. Over time, tendons can become inflamed as a result of overuse or possible infection. Tendinitis should be treated as soon as possible by a physical therapist to prevent further damage.
Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons that workers schedule physical and occupational therapy appointments each year. Often caused by overuse, force or incorrect lifting techniques, lower back pain can make it impossible to complete simple everyday tasks, let alone intricate movements related to work.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This common work injury typically occurs when the median nerve in the wrist area becomes compressed or pinched. Everyone from office executives to factory workers can experience carpal tunnel syndrome but with the help of targeted physical and occupational therapy, they can find fast relief for their pain and prevent future injury.
Auto Accidents
If you work in an environment where you are required to operate a company vehicle, you are at risk of becoming injured in an auto accident. Work-related car accidents can result in a number of different injuries ranging from minor scrapes and bruises to whiplash, broken bones and internal injuries as well. Physical and occupational therapy can help to relieve pain caused by whiplash or other muscle and joint strain, with targeted manual manipulations that are designed to reduce inflammation and restore range of motion.
Muscle and Ligament Sprains
These common work injuries can be the result of overexertion, a slip-and-fall or improper use of equipment and repetitive motions. By correcting the root cause of a work injury, our physical therapist can help to quickly relieve pain and promote faster healing, making it possible to return to work sooner rather than later.
How Physical and Occupational Therapy Can Help Treat Work Injuries
Physical and occupational therapy is ideal for treating work injuries quickly, to help you return to work as soon as possible. Our physical therapist utilizes the most advanced treatment methods in an effort to quickly relieve your pain and improve mobility, promoting faster healing without the use of more invasive procedures like surgery. Safe, effective and prescription drug-free physical and occupational therapy is an ideal treatment option for people of all ages.
Some of the most common physical and occupational therapy treatment methods include massage therapy, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, electrical stimulation and more. If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a work-related injury, rehabilitation with our physical and occupational therapist can help you to get back on your feet and return to work as soon as possible. Contact our offices today at Cherokee, Storm Lake, Ida Grove, Denison, IA centers to learn more and schedule an appointment.
