Physical Therapy for Work-Related Injuries
Research by the International Labor Organization shows that 2.3 million men and women globally succumb to a host of workplace-related injuries. Even when they aren’t fatal, workplace injuries can leave thousands of workers around the world with debilitating physical and mental trauma, that can affect their ability to discharge their duties and hold down their job.
Despite work related injuries being a common reality across the world, there are certain things companies can do to help employees who have become vulnerable to them. In this article, we explore what exactly workplace-related injuries are and how to address them.
What is a Work-related Injury?
A workplace-related injury refers to any physical injury or illness or that an employee experiences, while on the job and within the workplace environment/facility. Some places around the world even include any mental & emotional trauma experienced by the employee as a result of being on the job, as a workplace psychological injury.
If you have a work-related injury, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to injured workers.
Common Work Injuries in Blue Collar and White Collar Jobs
Blue collar and white collar workers can experience a few similar and a few different workplace-related injuries compared to each other.
Typically, blue-collar workers get injured on the job due to:
- Close handling of heavy machinery.
- Daily handling of dangerous tools & sharp objects.
- Repetitive physical movements as part of the job (such as bending to pick up and load cartons in vehicles or sweeping the floors etc.)
- Overextension or contortion of the limbs or other parts of the body while working.
- Pollution in the air, water, surfaces, etc. due to workplace materials (such as chemicals in products, exhaust from vehicles, etc.)
- Slipping and falling on poorly maintained surfaces.
- Other extreme working conditions, such as heat, cold, humidity, etc. without proper facilities available.
- Bad posture due to heavy physical stress on the job.
When it comes to white-collar employees, your staff will be most likely injured on the job because of:
- Bad posture when seated at the desk.
- Repetitive actions (such as writing, typing on the keyboard, etc.)
- Stuffy room/cubicle environment making it a challenging working condition.
- High mental stress leading to lapses in judgment.
- Slipping and falling in the office.
- Poor lighting in the office, leading to eyesight problems.
- Sprains when lifting office supplies.
- Injuries when fixing office equipment (such as a printer, fax machine, coffee maker, etc.)
Considering all these, you’ll very likely see the following types of common workplace-related injuries:
- Body pain
- Sprains
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Mild-to-severe bleeding
- Tendon or ligament tear
- Repetitive strain injury
- Chemical/toxin poisoning
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Loss of eyesight
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of smell
- Loss of limb
- Partial or complete paralysis – Monoplegia, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Hemiplegia.
- Migraines
- Swelling/inflammation
- Cold, fever, infection, and other types of sickness
- ….and more.
While some employees may heal completely within some time, others may only recover partial mobility and use of their faculties. Still, others may experience chronic, life-long conditions, which may impact their ability to do this job or take up any other form of work.
Legal Support and Financial Help are Available to Employees and their Families
All countries around the world have some form of labor law in place, to protect their employees and to help them get the financial support they need to recover from their injuries or illness. Employees are mandated to help their employees get access to timely medical care, financial coverage for medical insurance, and their workers’ compensation.
But financial support will only go so far. Ultimately, it is the employer’s responsibility to create a working environment where their workers will be safe and injuries will be little to none. Failing to do this – and further failing to help employees regain some amount of mobility, function, and faculties – is just not right.
That’s why your focus should be to provide your injured workers with the physical support they need to actively recover from their injuries or illness and get back to work again as soon as possible.
Post-injury Support in the form of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an important part of the treatment plan for workers who have suffered injuries on the job. Physical therapists can help to restore movement and function, alleviate pain, and prevent further injury. In addition, a physical therapist can also help workers to identify and correct any ergonomic risk factors that may have contributed to their injury. As a result, Physical therapy can play a crucial role in helping workers to recover from work-related injuries and return to their jobs.
One of the best ways to help your employees post-injury is physical therapy. In this section, we’ll explore what physical therapy is and how it helps your staff.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a type of physical care and support provided to people with physical injuries. The aim here is of:
- Reducing pain caused due to the injury.
- Recovering from the symptoms of the injury.
- Preventing the need for invasive treatments like surgery.
- Strengthening weakened bones and muscles due to injury.
- Improving balance, grip strength, mobility, etc.
- Controlling and directing movement.
- Helping the person learn how to use assistive devices and equipment (like walking sticks).
- Managing and relieving the symptoms of chronic illness.
What Exactly Happens During Physical Therapy?
Physical and occupational therapists will take a look at the patient’s medical history, and evaluate the severity of the injury, and the mobility available. Then they will recommend a set of stretches and exercises that can restore their physical health and wellbeing.
How can a Physical Therapist Help Injured Employees?
Physical therapy is super beneficial for employees who have workplace-related injuries. By sponsoring their physical therapy, you can help your employees in multiple ways.
Physical therapy can help your injured workers in the following ways:
- It enables the employees to manage pain smartly and ensure it reduces over a period of time.
- It restores movement, flexibility, strength, and functioning back to the injured area.
- It imparts ergonomic knowledge that will help the worker prevent re-injuring themselves.
- It improves the worker’s posture.
- It helps employees plan their work using alternative physical movements, which adds lesser strain on the injury.
- It helps employees with chronic injuries come to terms with their new reality and maintain their physical health as best as their can.
- It trains employees to use other parts of their body to do the same job or get ready physically to take up other employment.
Apart from these physical, and bodily benefits, physical therapy also helps employees in the following ways:
- It helps workers spend less time without a job.
- It reduces the medical expenses of surgery and drugs, which may otherwise be needed to heal.
- It gives employees a fair knowledge of what they are and what they aren’t capable of at any given time, so they can work with their employers to plan their jobs.
- It provides physical check-ups on a continuous basis and helps the injured worker thrive at the workplace even with the injury.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Prevent Injuries?
Physical therapy is a vital part of the health care system, and it helps countless people recover from injuries every year. However, physical therapy can also be used to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Common workplace injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back pain, can often be prevented with the help of physical therapy.
Physical therapists can work with employees to identify risk factors and develop strategies for mitigating those risks. In some cases, this may involve ergonomic interventions, such as the use of special equipment or changes to the work environment. In other cases, it may involve developing strength and flexibility through exercises. The goals of physical therapy are to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore function. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as exercise, massage, manual therapy and electrical stimulation, to achieve these goals. Regardless of the approach, physical therapy can play an important role in preventing workplace injuries.
Hire Our Experienced Physical Therapists To Help Your Employees In Need
Getting your injured employees the help and support they need to manage their injuries and thrive in the workplace, is a great way to give back to your team for all their help. Our experts at Workers Comp Doctors have helped thousands of employees from across organizations, get quick and personalized physical therapy after a work-related injury or illness. Our occupational and physical therapists can help you and your workers, with responsive care, customized therapy plans, and continued support. With our support, they’ll be able to live their best personal and professional lives.
Contact us today to know more about our physical therapy services and how we can help you. We accept workers’ compensation insurance, no-fault, PIP, and other health insurance plans. Same-day appointments may be available.
